The 2024 season was a topsy turvy one for the Florida Gators, despite the team’s talented offense. They got off to a bad start with losses to Texas A&M and the Miami Hurricanes, and several key players suffered season-ending injuries. Somehow, however, they turned things around by producing four straight wins towards the end of the season and becoming bowl eligible.
Although the college football season begins on August 23, the Gators begin their campaign on August 31. Below is a look at how the Gators might perform this season, according to experts; why everyone is expecting them to improve on last season’s season performance and at some of the players who’ll be instrumental in the team’s fortunes.
A look ahead to the 2025 season
The Gators have a difficult schedule ahead of them. Experts expect the team to win their opening game against Long Island University and their second game, which is against South Florida, but then chalk up their first loss, this time against Louisiana State University. Although they expect a Gators triumph over Miami, experts see both Texan teams getting the better of the Gators before the wins resume for the rest of the regular season. That’s except for a loss against Ole Miss.
Basically, experts are predicting a difficult but not disastrous season for the Gators. The question is, however, whether they’ll reach the College Football Playoff (CFP). The sportsbooks aren’t overly confident, but nor have they completely written off the team. They’ve set them at +400 on the college football lines for reaching the CPF. They’re a bit less confident about the team’s hopes of winning the championship game and have set them at around +4000 on the betting lines. Sportsbooks see either the Texas Longhorns or the Ohio State Buckeyes as the potential winners. Both sit at around +550 on the betting lines.
Why will Florida’s performance improve on previous seasons?
Last season, the Gators posted an 8-5 record, and their defensive strength was plain to see, although it had not been quite as tough to break as in the 2023 season. Offensively, however, and even though they improved as 2024 went on, they still have work to do to mount a serious challenge for the championship. The good news is that four of the offensive line from last season are returning for 2025.
Boss Billy Napier is under pressure to produce at least nine wins, after two losing seasons and a more successful third season. The team has real firepower coming into 2025 though, who may be able to give him some breathing room. There’s been excitement around quarterback DJ Lagway, who displayed dynamic ability in the 12 games he played as a freshman in the 2024 season. The Texan, who’s now a sophomore, completed almost 60% of his passes, posted 1,915 passing yards and threw for 12 touchdowns. Many believe he has the arm and the athleticism to become a success in professional football, but some have concerns about his health because of a nagging calf muscle, combined with the fact he had to address a hamstring injury in 2024 and also a shoulder issue in spring.
Players who could transform the Gators’ fortunes in 2025
As far as many are concerned, DJ Lagway is the main man. As well as displaying potential on the gridiron, he’s demonstrated an ability to lift the rest of the team and raise their level of play. But who else could be instrumental in the team’s fortunes?
Myles Graham
Florida teams have a habit of producing outstanding linebackers, and the Gators are no different when they field Myles Graham. Colleges were clamoring to get this 6 foot-er from Gainesville on their team, and rightly so. In 2024, he produced 26 defensive tackles, an interception and a sack. He fits well into the team, and some commentators think 2025 will be his breakout season.
Jake Slaughter
The tough Jake Slaughter who was the Gators’ best offensive linesman and, in fact, one of the best interior linesmen in college football last season. He was a first team All American, a first team All SEC and has already picked up a third pre-season nomination.
Slaughter started all 13 games at center and leads the Gators in offensive snaps (800). He boasts an offense grade of 81.1, the fifth best among centers in the US, and a run block grade of 79.0, which places him at seventh in the country.
As the 2025 season edges closer, anticipation is building around the Gators and how well they’ll perform this season. It’s also crunch time for head coach Billy Napier, who will be entering his fourth season with the team and is needing to transform the Floridians into a team that looks capable of reaching the CPF at the least. It will be an interesting season and, if you’re a Gators fan, hopefully a successful one.
