How much breakout potential do the Gators have in 2025? It might be a lot
After three straight losing seasons, the Florida Gators finished 2024 strong to complete an 8-5 year. Although they still ended up unranked, there is more buzz with Florida right now than in recent offseasons. The return of promising quarterback DJ Lagway obviously is a big reason for this optimism. But it’s not the only one. The Gators have a deep backfield, an offensive line that seems to be improving, promising talent at receiver, experienced returnees on the defensive line, lots of ability at linebacker and a secondary that is bringing in some elite recruits. So while Billy Napier and Co. again face a challenging schedule, the pieces potentially could be in place to take another step forward in 2025.
To Ari Wasserman of On3, it could be a big step at that.
Friday, Wasserman named 10 “college football teams with break potential in 2025” and the Gators were included on his list. He wrote the following about UF:
“In the middle of last season, it felt like Florida was going to move on from head coach Billy Napier. But the Gators brass stuck with the head coach, and Florida went on to win its final four games, which included wins over LSU and Ole Miss. It’s a good sing the team stuck with Napier when he could have lost the locker room. But the bigger thing that stands out is quarterback D.J. Lagway, who may be one of the best players in college football next season. Florida’s players developed last year as the season went on and the Gators bring in two elite-level receiver prospects in Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson to help Lagway out. Florida has a chance to finally win double-digit games and break through under a coach who has been living on the hot seat.”
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One Florida Gators opponent also made this list
Auburn, LSU and South Carolina were the other SEC programs on Wasserman’s radar. The Gators play at LSU on Sept. 13 in a pivotal early season game for both teams. Here’s what he said about the Bayou Bengals:
“This is a critical season for Brian Kelly at LSU. Tigers fans expect to compete for national titles every single year and the Tigers frankly haven’t been good enough. It’s especially painful to go back and remember that LSU had quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and receivers Brian Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers on the same team and its defense was just too bad. Next season, LSU returns one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Garrett Nussmeierand defensive star Harold Perkins Jr. comes back from a season-ending injury. The Tigers also added more a dozen players in the transfer portal, so they shouldn’t have too many holes as they try to win 10 games next season and finally get to the CFP under Kelly’s leadership. He came to Baton Rouge to win national titles. In year four, now is the time to start performing.”
You can find the complete article HERE.
