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Category: Florida Gators

  • How the Florida Gators’ Offensive Line Evolved in 2024

    How the Florida Gators’ Offensive Line Evolved in 2024

    The Gators offensive line had one of the biggest leaps during the 2024 season both as a unit and on the individual levels

     

    The Gators offensive line made major strides in 2024 / Matt Pendleton

    In a season where the Florida Gators seemed to flip the script of Billy Napier’s tenure as head coach, quickly going from a team with no hope to a team with plenty, the Gators offensive line unit was a huge catalyst.

     

    In the 2023 season, pass protection was a big struggle for the Gators. Florida’s offensive line was given a 66.0 pass-blocking grade by PFF, ranking 62 of 133 FBS schools. They allowed an average of 3.25 sacks a game, ranking 114th nationally, and starting quarterback Graham Mertz only saw an average time to throw of 2.46 seconds, ranking 113 out of 165 quarterbacks at the FBS level.

     

    In 2024, that all changed. Florida was the 5th most improved unit in the nation in sack rate from 2023 to 2024, Improving their PFF pass-blocking grade a whole 14.2 points and moving from 62nd in the FBS to 11th. They average only 1.7 sacks allowed per game, up 66 spots nationally from the year before, and co-starters Mertz and freshman DJ Lagway had a combined average time to throw of 2.65, .19 seconds more than the previous season. Lagway alone saw a time to throw of 2.76, which ranked 32nd amongst 334 FBS quarterbacks with over 100 snaps.

     

    The improvements weren’t just as a unit either. In the 2023 season, of the seven individual players to play in over 20% of snaps, only three saw a PFF passblock grade of over 65, while starting tackle Damieon George was graded a 56.7, ranking 75th out of 92 SEC players eligible. This year, Florida saw all but one player to play over 20% of snaps finish with a grade over 65, while four finished top 30 in the SEC, including George. George’s improvement was by far the most substantial, finishing with a 75.9 grade, 19.2 points higher than the year before.

     

    Though pass protection showed the biggest improvement, Florida’s offensive trench play improved in the run game as well. Despite already ranking 26th in the FBS with a 69.8 PFF run-blocking grade in 2023, the Gators unit improved their grade by over 10 points in 2024, finishing with an 80.0 grade and as the 7th best run-blocking unit in the FBS. This year, rushers gained around 38% of their yards before contact, up 4% from the season before.

     

    In the SEC, Florida had three players finish top 10 in PFF grade for run-blocking amongst players to play over 20% of snaps, Jake Slaughter, Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson and Kamryn Waites, as well as two more in the top 20, Damieon George and Knijeah Harris. If you were to remove the 20% snap minimum, Caden Jones and Roderick Kearney would enter the top 10 while Waites would drop to 12, making the top 12 graded players in the SEC over 40% Gators.

     

    The Gators ended as one of only three teams with PFF grades in the top 12 for both pass and run blocking this season, together with 11-2 Memphis and 6-7 West Virginia, and the only team in the nation to have both grades over 80. Compared to the SEC, Florida’s 80.1 combined grade was the best of any team in the conference. Their improvement not only made them an impressive unit but one of the best in the nation.

     

    Heading into a 2025 season with high expectations, Florida should be expected to continue their dominant offensive-line play as well. Of the eight players to start over 20% of the snaps in 2024, seven will return to Florida next season with only Crenshaw-Dickson graduating. As well, Florida will return to elite depth next year with 10 returning linemen earning PFF grades of 68.0 or higher, meaning they were close to or better than above average.

     

    For the first time in a long time, Florida’s offensive line feels like a reliable unit and a huge strength for the Gators. With a Heisman hopeful behind it, the unit’s success seems to be a key factor in the Gators’ ability to reach high expectations next season. If momentum carries over, it may be time for a fraction of the fanbase to finally give props to a certain Oline coach on the staff, though the turnaround was clearly the result of many influences.

     

     

  • Billy Napier’s Risky Gamble Puts Gators’ Future in Jeopardy as Vinnie Sunseri Move Brings Him Closer to Firing

    Billy Napier’s Risky Gamble Puts Gators’ Future in Jeopardy as Vinnie Sunseri Move Brings Him Closer to Firing

    Well, by now Florida Gators HC has become accustomed to the heat. Thanks to the tumultuous 2024 season. It didn’t take Billy Napier long to see the train wreck he’d created: ineffective players, terrible play calls, and penalties galore. Napier was clearly in the hot seat, with his buyout even being whispered about.

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    But did the HC learn to play safe even after this? Not at all! Napier still runs strong with his self-confidence. He and the Gators have now tied up with the former Alabama DB Vinnie Sunseri. Now this is no less than a gamble. 

    Billy Napier’s self-confidence is costing the Gators huge consequences

     

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    Napier is yet to lead the Gators to a bowl game in two full seasons. At the same time, he carried the burden of a $51.8 million seven-year contract. But even walking on the thin ice could not stop Napier from taking risks.

    He refuses to dispose of the playcalling duties to someone else. However, that turns out to be a costly decision for the HC. The stats have been truly concerning. Under Napier and his play-calling, UF has barely gone past a 29.5 PPG average. Surprisingly, even then Napier had stuck to the “No OC” rule. He continued being the offensive coordinator and play-caller for the Florida Gators football team. 

    In 2022, the Gators finished #38 in the nation in total offense and #7 in the SEC. The very next season saw Florida finish #47 in total offense and sixth in the SEC. Those stats are not terrible, certainly. But not very good, either. On that note, Athlon Sports analyst Steven Lassan stated, “He’s far from elite and they just have mistake after mistake, issue after issue.”

    As the CEO of the offense, Napier holds it back with terrible situational play calls. Remember the 2023 mishap in Tallahassee where he called just one running play on the first three drives of the second half and went three and out each time against the Seminoles? Napier decided that since his ground game resulted in points, the passing game would too. It was sad since the HC knew that the Gators’ wide receiver room was reduced to Ricky Pearsall.

    And in 2024? Lassan sees the 8-5 season as a sign that changes are needed. 

    “In game decisions, we have seen like the same penalties over and over again a lot of criticism about some of the things offensively at times…it does feel like maybe there is too much on his plate, and Florida could take a step forward by Napier taking a step backward next year,” he explained, suggesting that less might be more for Napier. Till now, Napier had to bear the blows for his own position. Here comes another chance for the fans to strip off the HC.

    The bigger picture behind Billy Napier’s latest hire 

    Even though he was in deep water himself, Napier prioritized finding a replacement for his former DC, Austin Armstrong, over fixing the offense. It has been six weeks since the Gators parted ways with him. Finally, they have their new co-defensive coordinator. Florida hired the son of Sal Sunseri, who spent the 2024 season serving as the safeties coach at Washington. The 33-year-old coach’s time with the Huskies marks his lone season coaching in the Power Four.

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    Prior to that, he did gather some NFL experience. Sunseri served as the running backs coach for the New England Patriots when Bill Belichick was there.

    Maybe the Power Four factor worked in favor of Sunseri. Plus, he and Napier might have crossed paths at Alabama Crimson Tide in 2011. Yes, we know how Napier sees him as the coach who was born with a playbook in his hand; we must try to accept the reality.

    Right now Florida Gators’ defense has hit rock bottom. The Gators allowed an average of over 175 rushing yards per game, ranking among the worst in the SEC. So, they are in dire need of someone who speaks experience. Is Vinnie Sunseri the right fit?

     

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    Well, the coach did show his dominance, bringing the Huskies’ defense to finish fifth in the nation in passing yards allowed per game. Billy Napier’s boys are in need of more than just a fresh face—they need an identity, someone of a Power Five level. Could this decision spell trouble for the Gators’ future under Napier?

  • 2025 FSU football schedule released: Dates, opponents

    2025 FSU football schedule released: Dates, opponents

    The 2025 Florida State football schedule has been officially released, with the ACC announcing all conference matchups on Monday evening.

    The Seminoles kick off the season at home against the Alabama Crimson Tide, marking the first game in the newly-renovated Doak Campbell Stadium. FSU will then face FCS opponent East Texas on Sep. 6, followed by a bye week and a game against Kent State.

    ACC play starts on Friday, Sep. 26, with a road game at Virginia. The following week, the Seminoles will host the Miami Hurricanes in Tallahassee. They will also face Pitt on Oct. 11, and Stanford on Oct. 18, with another bye on Oct. 25.

    The final stretch of the regular season has FSU hosting Wake Forest on Nov. 1, traveling to Clemson on Nov. 8, hosting Virginia Tech on Nov. 15, playing NC State on the road on Nov. 21, and finishing the season with a rivalry game against the Florida Gators in Gainesville on Nov. 29.

    The two teams’ home-and-home series with Alabama was originally announced in 2019, marking the first time Alabama will play in Tallahassee. Alabama will host FSU in Tuscaloosa next year.

    The Seminoles have a 15-4 record against Virginia, including 6-3 at Scott Stadium. The teams last met in 2019, and this season will be their fifth matchup since 2010.

    Florida State holds a 29-28 all-time series lead against Miami, with the teams meeting annually since 1969. FSU is 6-5 in Tallahassee since Miami joined the ACC in 2004.

    FSU has a 5-6 all-time record against Pitt, with a 2-1 mark since Pitt joined the ACC in 2013. FSU won their last meeting in 2023.

    The game against Stanford will be the first between the two teams, and FSU’s first regular-season game in California since 1997.

    FSU leads the series with Wake Forest 31-9-1, including 20-4-1 in Tallahassee. FSU won the most recent meeting in 2023, 41-16 in Winston-Salem.

    The Seminoles lead Clemson 21-16 all-time, including a 31-24 overtime win in 2023 that snapped the Tigers’ 25-game home winning streak in ACC play.

    FSU is 24-13-1 against Virginia Tech, including a 39-17 win at home in 2023. This will be the third consecutive meeting between the teams in Tallahassee.

    FSU will play NC State for the first time since 2022, holding a 27-16 all-time series lead. The Seminoles are 11-10 all-time at NC State and are 19-12 against the Wolfpack as ACC members. FSU will play two Friday road games this season, the first time they’ve done so since 1958.

    2025 FSU Football Schedule: Saturday, Aug. 30: Alabama Crimson Tide (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee) Saturday, Sep. 6: East Texas A&M Lions (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee) Saturday, Sep. 13: BYE Saturday, Sep. 20: Kent State Golden Flashes (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee) Friday, Sep. 26: Virginia Cavaliers (Scott Stadium, Charlottesville) Saturday, Oct. 4: Miami Hurricanes (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee) Saturday, Oct. 11: Pitt Panthers (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee) Saturday, Oct. 18: Stanford Cardinal (Stanford Stadium, Stanford) Saturday, Oct. 25: BYE Saturday, Nov. 1: Wake Forest Demon Deacons (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee) Saturday, Nov. 8: Clemson Tigers (Memorial Stadium, Clemson) Saturday, Nov. 15: Virginia Tech Hokies (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee) Friday, Nov. 21: NC State Wolfpack (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)

     

  • Florida hires Vinnie Sunseri as co-defensive coordinator: Billy Napier passes on improving offense

    Florida hires Vinnie Sunseri as co-defensive coordinator: Billy Napier passes on improving offense

     

     

     

    Six weeks after the Florida Gators parted ways with Austin Armstrong as co-defensive coordinator, creating a staff opening for head coach Billy Napier to do with as he saw fit, the program has hired a similar replacement for the role. Vinnie Sunseri, the son of Sal Sunseri who spent the 2024 season serving as safeties coach at Washington, will lead that position while also assuming the co-defensive coordinator role, according to 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz among multiple reports.

     

    The 33-year-old’s time with the Huskies marks Sunseri’s lone season of Power Four coaching experience. He spent the prior three years coaching running backs for the New England Patriots under Bill Belichick previously serving as a defensive coaching assistant with the Patriots in 2020 and a graduate assistant under Nick Saban at Alabama in 2019.

     

    Sal Sunseri is a career defensive assistant who coached the defensive line at Florida in 2018 and spent multiple stints coaching for Saban at LSU and Bama. His son won two national championships under Saban during his time as a player from 2011-13.

     

    Vinnie Sunseri had accepted the defensive coordinator position at Jacksonville State three weeks ago.

     

     

    It’s tough to determine why, precisely, Napier made this move — and why he made it now — for a variety of reasons.

     

    As was the case with the man he’s replacing, Sunseri is being given a prominent role at a major program despite immensely limited experience. Armstrong at least served as defensive coordinator for two years at Southern Miss before being hired, but he had no Power Four coaching experience and was brought into that role on his own whereas Sunseri will be in a No. 2 position. There is something to be said for learning under the trees of Belichick and Saban, but none of that time saw him coordinate defenses, three of his four years were spent coaching offensive players and he has only one year of even position-coaching experience at the college level.

     

    Why are the Gators overpaying (by title) and hiring inexperienced coaches with limited pedigrees to important positions while rivals and similarly distinguished programs bring in veterans, top assistants from other teams and some of the best names in the industry to fill their roles?

     

    Taking six weeks to hire an assistant who should have been readily available when the position initially opened is another curiosity. That either speaks to Napier’s continued paralysis-by-analysis approach when it comes to making hires and other crucial decisions within the organization, or it suggests the opportunity was turned down by numerous other candidates. Florida made this hire after all but two teams were eliminated from the NFL Playoffs, which would have made sense if a coach from those ranks was joining the program; however, Sunseri would have come from a Power Four position coach role (or the lowest rung of the FBS depending on hiring date). Why the wait?

     

    This move once again closed the door — despite literal pleas from the fan base, media covering the team and analysts across the country — on Napier hiring a dedicated offensive coordinator to call plays, innovate the unit top-down and take pressure off his shoulders on game day where he continues to struggle managing multiple responsibilities.

     

    This open position on the roster — a high-paying one at that — created all sorts of possibilities for Napier. The late 2024 turnaround was defensively powered with offensive improvement remaining the one area in which Florida could make its most substantial gains this offseason. For the last three years, the offense has been a play caller away from performing better. Napier has insisted on doing that himself while simultaneously trying to manage games and his roster. It has not worked — an inevitable truth many of his offensive-minded peers realized over the last decade.

     

    The key to Sunseri potentially working in this role will be whether he winds up working alongside Ron Roberts. The executive head coach of defense and co-defensive coordinator, who turned the Gators unit around last season by taking over playcalling duties after three games, could potentially depart the program. Roberts, 57, signed a two-year deal that will pay him $950,000 in 2025, but there have been murmurs about him potentially not returning to the team. It is tough to determine whether those are substantiated at this juncture, but given how slowly Napier moves, it’s difficult to say either way.

     

    Anyone who watched or followed Florida football over the latter two thirds of the season saw a defensive unit that was not only improved but, in some cases, became among the most dominant in the nation. Florida jumping from 92nd to to 7th in team sacks (3.17), 102nd to 12th in red zone defense (0.737), 129th to 16th in turnovers gained (22) and 104th to 24th in tackles for loss (6.8) are just a few clear indicators that the defense is headed in the right direction under Roberts’ stewardship.

     

    Napier has made significant changes to his staff over each of the last three offseasons — some of his own accord, some not. Before the 2024 campaign, he replaced three defensive assistants, hired two new strength & conditioning coaches (the first replacement hire departed) and added a more talented and experienced special teams off-field assistant that helped turn around that unit as well.

     

    Sunseri will mark the fourth coach to hold a defensive coordinator title of some kind in as many seasons.

     

    Meanwhile, a stagnant offense remains largely unchanged at the top. Rob Sale is still listed as co-offensive coordinator, but despite being paid $1 million annually, he is largely a chief offensive line coach ahead of assistant Jonathan Decoster. Russ Callaway was promoted to co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach with a salary of $550,000, but most believe that move was largely made to placate fans and boosters who were bothered by Napier calling plays and Sale originally holding the entire title himself. (Unless one wants to believe that Callaway, 35, went from off-field assistant without FBS on-field coaching experience to managing offensive plays in two years.)

     

    Napier has refused to acknowledge who calls offensive plays simply saying that Callaway and Sale are heavily involved in the game-planning process. By all accounts, Napier is still calling the plays. Sale is not a true offensive coordinator, and given his salary, he and Decoster are leaving a lot to be desired when it comes to recruiting offensive linemen. (That said, the coaching of Florida’ offensive line has largely been tremendous with significant improvements made to a unit that lost major talent last offseason.)

     

    Just as last season was a chance to make a necessary change to his defensive structure — changes that resulted in immense improvement and may have saved his job — Napier had an opportunity to do the same offensively having Armstrong’s $1.2 million salary to utilize to that end. Instead, despite it being clear to everyone outside the program that offensive innovation is the missing piece in the Gators’ return to consistent success, Napier has seemingly allowed it to pass him by given the staff is now complete.

     

    Napier earned an extended lease on his coaching life given how Florida turned its fortunes over the latter half of the season behind Roberts’ defense and freshman quarterback DJ Lagway’s breakout performances. With the 2025 schedule no easier, Lagway likely only playing two more seasons and the Gators offense unchanged despite an opportunity to capitalize on his unique talents, it will certainly be interesting to see how the remainder of the offseason plays out.

     

     

    Florida vs. Georgia score, takeaways: No. 5 Gators win 12th straight over Dawgs as Alijah Martin goes off

    Florida hires Vinnie Sunseri as co-defensive coordinator: Billy Napier passes on improving offense

  • Florida State Football Dates announced for FSU games vs. Virginia, Miami

    Florida State Football Dates announced for FSU games vs. Virginia, Miami

    Two additional games on Florida State’s 2025 football schedule have been confirmed, with the Seminoles’ matchups against Virginia and Miami revealed by the ACC on Friday.

    Florida State will travel to Charlottesville to open ACC play against Virginia on Friday, September 26, followed by a home game against Miami on Saturday, October 4.

    According to FSU Sports Info:

    Florida State holds a 15-4 all-time record against Virginia, including a 6-3 mark at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville. The teams last met in 2019 in Charlottesville. After facing each other in the first 15 seasons of the ACC, this will be just the fifth meeting between the teams since 2010.

    The Seminoles and Hurricanes have faced off annually since 1969, with FSU leading the series 29-28. Since Miami joined the ACC in 2004, FSU has a 13-8 advantage, with a 6-5 record in Tallahassee.

    FSU’s remaining ACC matchups for the season include home games against Pitt, Virginia Tech, and Wake Forest, as well as road contests at NC State, Clemson, and Stanford.

    The non-conference slate is already finalized, with a newly-renovated Doak Campbell Stadium hosting Florida State’s season opener against the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Seminoles will also face East Texas A&M (FCS) and Kent State in September, before concluding the regular season with the annual rivalry game against the Florida Gators in Gainesville.

    2025 FSU football schedule
    Aug. 30: Alabama Crimson Tide (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)
    Sep. 6: East Texas A&M Lions (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)
    Sep. 20: Kent State Golden Flashes (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)
    Sep. 26: Virginia Cavaliers (Scott Stadium, Charlottesville)
    Oct. 4: Miami Hurricanes (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)
    Nov. 29: Florida Gators (Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville)
    TBA: Clemson Tigers (Memorial Stadium, Clemson)
    TBA: Pitt Panthers (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)
    TBA: Virginia Tech Hokies (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)
    TBA: Wake Forest Demon Deacons (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)
    TBA: NC State Wolfpack (Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh)
    TBA: Stanford Cardinal (Stanford Stadium, Stanford)

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  • Transfer Portal: Florida Football Roster Check

    Transfer Portal: Florida Football Roster Check

    Who did Florida target? Who’s still on the roster? Here’s a breakdown of the Gators’ moves this past month:

    The Gators added five players via the winter portal. The most recent was Harrison Bailey, a senior quarterback from Louisville.

    The Gators had some depth issues at the position this past season, and after freshman Deshawn Purdie withdrew his transfer only days after his initial commitment, Florida needed another signal caller. The team found its answer in Bailey, who was solid in his limited minutes for the Cardinals.

    Other players added through the portal include UMass edge rusher Kofi Asare, UCLA wide receiver Michael Sturdivant, Southern Miss cornerback Michael Caraway Jr. and Michigan punter Tommy Doman.

    Thirteen Gators on scholarship entered the transfer portal.

    Sophomore cornerback Ja’Keem Jackson was the top-rated prospect in Florida’s 2023 recruiting class, with the Gators looking to play him in a more significant role in 2024.  However, an undisclosed injury against Samford in Week 2 knocked Jackson out for the rest of the year, leading both parties to agree to move on.

    He entered the portal Dec. 3 and chose the LSU Tigers on Dec. 13.

    LSU poached another Gator in the form of junior edge Jack Pyburn. He only made two starts for Florida in 2024 after suffering a season-ending ACL tear the previous year. He officially committed to LSU on Dec. 17.

    Florida also lost junior defensive end Justus Boone, who committed to Arkansas on Dec. 21 with one season of college eligibility left. A preseason knee injury derailed what would’ve been Boone’s red-shirt sophomore season in 2023, and he played limited minutes in 2024.

    Other transfers include tight ends Arlis Boardingham (Bowling Green) and Gavin Hill (Florida A&M), offensive linemen Christian Williams (Liberty) and Mike Williams (Towson), wide receivers Marcus Burke (UCF) and Andy Jean (Pittsburgh), defensive linemen Kelby Collins (Alabama), Quincy Ivory (Jackson State) and T.J. Searcy (Texas A&M) and linebacker Deuce Spurlock II .

    The Gators also have a couple of players participating in the upcoming All-Star games.

    Senior cornerback and Florida native Jason Marshall Jr., who started and ended his career with the Gators, was named a member of the West team in the 100th East-West Shrine Bowl in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys, at 8 p.m. ET Jan. 30 on the NFL Network. Joining him on Team West is senior offensive lineman Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson.

    Meanwhile, senior running back Montrell Johnson Jr. joined the East team. Johnson Jr. ended with more than 3,000 rushing yards in his career after transferring to Florida from Louisiana.

    Over at the Senior Bowl at University of South Alabama, Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Ala., (Feb. 1, 2:30 p.m. ET on NFL Network), UF is represented by linebacker Shemar James and punter Jeremy Crawshaw.

    While it’s still far too early to call the shots, there’s seemingly plenty of optimism surrounding the Gators’ chances heading into next season.

    Ten media outlets listed the Gators in their top-25 lists, with Sporting News ranking them as high as 11th.

    Once again, the Gators’ main concern is their tough 2025 schedule. However, if Florida could eke out an 8-5 record in 2024, who’s to say the team couldn’t emerge as a genuine playoff contender in 2025?

  • Liam Coen changed his mind about Jaguars job for 1 big reason

    Liam Coen changed his mind about Jaguars job for 1 big reason

     

     

    Liam Coen did a 180 regarding the Jacksonville Jaguars head coach job. There seems to be a clear reason why.

    Coen was in Jacksonville, Fla., on Thursday working on a deal to become the Jaguars’ head coach. A day earlier, Coen had taken himself out of the running for the job. He reportedly had reached a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to return as their offensive coordinator.

    The reason for Coen’s apparent change in heart has to do with a change in the front office.

    After being turned down by Coen, the Jags fired general manager Trent Baalke. That led Coen to reconsider the position.

    Though the Jaguars had fired head coach Doug Pederson after their 4-13 season, Baalke had remained in his position as GM. Many people were surprised that Baalke had survived, but Jacksonville’s owners apparently reconsidered matters upon being turned down by Coen.

    Baalke had been with the Jaguars since 2020. He previously served as the San Francisco 49ers’ GM from 2011-2016 and won a power struggle with Jim Harbaugh, who was let go by the team. This time around, it was Baalke being let go.

  • College football expert forecasts the Gators will claim the 2026 National Championship.

    College football expert forecasts the Gators will claim the 2026 National Championship.

    The Florida Gators’ progress in the second half of the 2024 season has raised optimism for the program’s future. While their improvement has been encouraging, one college football analyst has even higher expectations for the Gators.

    CBS Sports college football analyst Emory Hunt believes the Florida Gators should be considered the favorites to win the 2026 College Football National Championship.

    Hunt highlights soon-to-be sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway as a key factor, pointing to his strong performances against top-ranked teams like Ole Miss and LSU as evidence that the young quarterback can lead the Gators past the nation’s elite teams next season.

    In Florida’s 24-17 victory over No.9 Ole Miss, Lagway passed for 180 yards and two touchdowns. During the win over No.22 LSU, Lagway threw for 226 yards, a touchdown, and no interceptions.

    Overall, Lagway totaled 1,915 yards, 12 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in eight starts as a true freshman.

    After a rocky start to the season with a 4-5 record through nine games, the Gators showed a clear change in both effort and attitude. With Lagway leading the charge, they ended the season with a four-game winning streak, capped by a 33-8 win over Tulane in the Gasparilla Bowl.

    Despite a successful history in the 2000s, the Gators have not reached the College Football Playoff since its inception in 2014.

    Florida’s last national championship came in 2009, when they defeated Oklahoma 24-14 in the BCS National Championship Game. Two years earlier, they claimed their first championship of the decade, beating Ohio State 41-14 in the 2007 BCS National Championship Game.

     

  • Ongoing Winning Streaks for Florida Gators.

    Ongoing Winning Streaks for Florida Gators.

    The Florida Gators are currently on several winning streaks across different sports, with one of them spanning several decades.

    The Florida Gators athletic programs continue to maintain some remarkable streaks. Despite having not been dominant in college football for nearly two decades, the Gators have managed to preserve a unique record for over thirty years.

    Since 1988, the Florida Gators have scored in 461 consecutive football games. This record stands as both the longest active streak and the longest in FBS history, surpassing second-place TCU by more than 50 games.

    The Gators have avoided being shut out for 36 years, with the last instance occurring on October 29th, 1988, when they lost 16-0 to Auburn. The streak began under less than ideal circumstances, as Florida’s three-point performance in a 26-3 loss to Georgia marked the start of the historic run.

    While the Gators’ streak is the longest in FBS, the University of Montana holds the record at the Division One level with 463 games. Meanwhile, Mount Union’s Purple Raiders of Division 3 currently hold the all-time collegiate record with over 521 consecutive games without a shutout.

    Though the Gators’ football team holds the record for the longest active streak, the entire athletic program continues to impress with other notable achievements.

    Florida is one of only two programs to have secured a national title in each of the last 15 years. Recently, six Gators sports teams were ranked among the top 10 in their respective sports. Additionally, just a month ago, Florida held the longest active combined win streak at the Division One level across football and men’s basketball.

     

  • Florida football recruiting: QB Harrison Bailey, CB Micheal Caraway Jr. commit from transfer portal

    Florida football recruiting: QB Harrison Bailey, CB Micheal Caraway Jr. commit from transfer portal

     

    Florida football recruiting: QB Harrison Bailey, CB Micheal Caraway Jr. commit from transfer portal

     

    Head coach Billy Napier’s slow methodical approach to the offseason bore some fruit for the Florida Gators over the last few days as three-stars quarterback Harrison Bailey and cornerback Micheal Caraway Jr. committed to join the program through the transfer portal. Their additions — both replacements for prior commitments — make it five incoming transfers for the Gators, which have 17 outgoing at this time.

     

    Bailey will be entering his sixth season of college football having spent the last two at Louisville where he completed 72.7% of his passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns as a reserve in 2024. He played one year at UNLV in 2022 after originally joining Tennessee out of high school in 2020.

     

    Though the well-traveled 23-year-old has never been an entrenched starter at any of his stops, Bailey has proven to be a capable reserve, which is precisely what Florida needed behind sophomore DJ Lagway. A former four-star prospect ranked No. 101 in the nation, Bailey will compete for the backup job with 2025 four-star signee Tramell Jones Jr.

     

    UF previously had Charlotte transfer Deshawn Purdie committed out of the portal; however, Purdie asked for his papers to be rescinded before ultimately signing with Wake Forest where he believes move playing time will be afforded to him.

     

    Caraway will serve as a key depth piece for Florida, which failed in its pursuit of multiple higher-rated secondary players this offseason. Like Bailey, he will have one year of eligibility remaining having played 30 games across three seasons for Southern Mississippi after beginning his career in JUCO at Southwest Community College.

     

    UF previously had UAB transfer Adrian Maddox committed out of the portal; however, Maddox changed his mind two days later and committed to Georgia, presumably after receiving a matching NIL offer.

     

    The Gators hope to add at least one more cornerback before the season begins with eyes on four-star Onis Konanbanny (Columbia, SC), one of the few prospects who have not yet signed with a program in the Class of 2025. Many prognosticators believe Florida will ultimately land the services of the long-time Tennessee commitment.