Category: Florida Gators

 

The 6-foot-2 wide receiver out of South Florida would be Florida’s fourth commit for the class of 2026

 

The Gators continue to attract wide receiver talent

The Gators continue to attract wide receiver talent

Fresh off signing multiple coveted wide receiver prospects from the class of 2025, the Florida Gators could be in striking distance of adding one to the next recruiting class.

 

According to On3’s Corey Bender, the Gators are a “major contender” in the pursuit of wide receiver Jabari Brady.

 

According to 247Sports composite rankings, Brady is a four-star recruit, the sixth-best wide receiver prospect in the country and the fifth-best prospect in the state of Florida.

 

The 6-foot-2 and 195-pound receiver also holds offers from programs like Ohio State, Oregon and Georgia. Back in late November, Florida ranked among the top ten schools that he was most interested in (Oregon, Ohio State, Alabama, Florida, Miami, Missouri, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, LSU and Florida State).

 

While his junior season statistics are not available, Brady hauled in 70 passes for 1392 receiving yards while catching ten touchdowns as a sophomore at Monarch High School in Coconut Creek, Florida. In 2023, Brady helped lead the Knights to the Florida 4M State Semi-Finals, where he caught seven passes for 151 yards.

 

Brady’s Monarch teammate, class of 2026 wide receiver Jaborree Riggins, also holds an offer from the Gators. The 6 foot 4 wide receiver is rated as a three-star (87.37/100) by On3, who predicts that he will eventually commit to Florida.

 

As of now, Florida only has three commits for the class of 2026 (22nd in the country, according to 247Sports), and no wide receivers are currently committed. Besides Brady and Riggins, 247Sports reports that Florida has offered 23 other wide receivers in the class of 2026.

 

 

The Florida Gators secured a notable receiver class for the 2025 cycle, and they’ve already set their sights on the 2026 class at the position.

One of those prospects is 2026 receiver Naeeem Burroughs (5-11, 160, Jacksonville, FL, Bolles), who stays in frequent contact with Florida and likes what they offer offensively.

“They’ve been really consistent, checking in and keeping in touch with my family,” Burroughs said about Florida’s approach. “They communicate with my mom; I’ve been following the program and can see myself fitting into that kind of offense.”

While Burroughs isn’t ready to make a commitment yet and wants to take more visits, he does say one school leads early.

“I’d say Florida, because they were my first offer,” he mentioned when discussing his top six. “They’ve been consistent, Coach [Billy] Gonzales is a great coach, and Coach Napier has always shown me love.”

Florida has the advantage early largely due to the coaching staff in Gainesville.

“They bring great energy, it’s hard not to feel motivated around them,” Burroughs said about what he appreciates in Florida’s coaching staff. “They lift you up whenever you’re around them.”

Before setting up official visits, Burroughs plans to visit two schools this winter.

“I need to visit Notre Dame and Texas before official visits,” he stated. “I haven’t set dates yet; I need to talk with my coaches and parents first.”

As of now, Burroughs has a top six but acknowledges that other schools could enter the race if they show increased interest.

“Florida, Notre Dame, Texas, Clemson, Wisconsin, and Florida State,” Burroughs listed as his top six. “Other schools can definitely make a push.”

When it’s time to choose, Burroughs is clear about what he values in a school.

“The scheme on offense is important, I don’t want to go to a run-heavy school,” he said, discussing his priorities. “The energy from the coaches is key too. You can be close to the receiver coach, but if the head coach doesn’t show he wants you, that’s a problem for me.”

 

The four-star wide receiver is among the talented group heading to Gainesville in 2025.

Naeshaun Montgomery of Team Icon (4) catches a touchdown pass against Team Unstoppable during the Under Armour All-America Game on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at Spec Martin Stadium in DeLand. | David Tucker News-Journal / USA
As the dust settles on Florida Football’s 2025 recruiting class, the incoming freshmen are highlighted by two five-star wide receivers. Vernell Brown III committed to Florida in July, while Dallas Wilson had a dramatic recruitment, flipping to Oregon even after signing day.

However, nestled between these commitments is a somewhat quieter addition, and he’s eager to make an impact in Gainesville before it’s all over.

Florida Football: The future is now
Throughout the Under Armour All-America Game practice week, Naeshaun Montgomery’s name repeatedly surfaced as someone defensive backs struggled to contain.

Montgomery committed to Florida in August, and despite several late visits to other programs, he stayed loyal to his commitment and signed in December.

During the All-America Game, Montgomery made two catches, one a touchdown, and also grabbed a two-point conversion. Both his touchdown and the ensuing celebration show the potential he holds if he can reach his ceiling.

Last year, he competed in state for the 110-meter and 400-meter hurdles, finishing 8th in the latter. This blend of speed and body control is evident in his senior year highlights, showcasing an athlete who can make contested catches. While not a pure speedster, his stop-and-go agility caused problems for defenses.

With Brown and Wilson also arriving at Florida, the Gators are bringing in a strong wide receiver class. On paper, Florida will likely need at least one of them to make an immediate impact in 2025. Although Montgomery is ranked as a three-star by On3 and 247, the potential is there for him to be the breakout star when all is said and done.

 

 

Jadan Baugh emerged as a legitimate star from the freshman class in 2024, but he’s going to need help this season. ESPN thinks it’s coming in freshman Byron Louis.

 

Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh starred as a freshman and he’ll be getting help from Byron Louis in 2025.

Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh starred as a freshman and he’ll be getting help from Byron Louis in 2025. / Kim Klement Neitzel-

 

Bolstered by a late-season surge that culminated in a Gasparilla beatdown of Tulane, the Florida Gators look towards 2025 with a strong plan, especially in the offensive backfield.

 

Freshman Jadan Baugh emerged as a breakout star for the Gators in 2024, and ESPN thinks he’ll be getting plenty of help, naming incoming freshman Byron Louis their most important recruit.

 

“One of three Florida State flips in the Gators’ latest class, Louis enters college after recording 3,162 rushing yards and 44 touchdowns on 400 carries against strong competition at American Heritage (Florida) High School,” Eli Lederman wrote on ESPN+.

 

“At 206 pounds and a shade under 6-foot, Louis is a powerful downhill runner who has good quickness in the open field and upside in the passing game with potential to become a three-down back at the next level.

 

“Freshman running back Jadan Baugh was a breakout star for the Gators in 2024 and one of three Florida rushers to eclipse 400 yards this fall. The other two to reach 400 yards: departing veteran Montrell Johnson Jr. and redshirt junior Ja’Kobi Jackson. Physically ready for the college game, Louis’ time in the Florida backfield will come soon.”

 

 

 

The incoming freshman fielded offers from a myriad of FBS schools from multiple conferences. Miami, Michigan, Alabama, Wisconsin and Minnesota to name a few, came calling. On September 21, he committed to Florida State.

 

He seemed locked in until the bottom fell all the way out for the Seminoles, On November 26, the Fort Lauderdale standout from American Heritage High School decommitted from FSU. The same day, he committed to UF. One week later, Louis put pen to paper, becoming a Florida Gator.

 

 

Profiling as a bruiser with a downhill bent, Louis loves the contact aspect of the game. He churns forward, gaining yards after contact, pushing through arm tackles and trudging along. At the same time, he does possess a quality second gear, with the ability to get loose and pull away for chunk yardage.

 

On top of that and what could make him a compliment to Baugh, is Louis’s receiving skills. He appears comfortable on swing passes and dumpoffs to gain decent yardage. Baugh enjoyed just four receptions in 2024 with a touchdown.

 

 

Teams rely on a multitude of backs. Gone are the days where players get 30 carries per game all season. Louis has the tool set to get his fair share of carries with Baugh , forming a running back-by-committee, with the player with the hot hand getting the majority of the snaps.

 

 

Flipping Byron Louis from FSU may not resonate as a profound gamechanger for the Florida Gators. However, outside of the obvious power move, embarrassing a despised rival, UF landed a player who can contribute early and often in 2025.

 

With a stable of game breaking wideouts and presumptive Heisman candidate in DJ Lagway, the Gators will depend on the run to not only provide balance but force defenses to stay honest throughout the game.

 

 

 

Another member of the Brown family will enjoy incoming freshman Vernell Brown III this upcoming season

 

A family legacy continues at the University of Florida

A family legacy continues at the University of Florida / Doug Engle

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The family tradition continues for the Brown family and representing the Florida Gators. Safety Vincent Brown Jr. has committed to the Gators on Gators He made the announcement on his personal social media accounts.

 

He will be a preferred walk-on. With his addition, the number of members of the Brown family who will have played for the Gators is up to seven.

 

He is the older cousin of incoming freshman wide receiver Vernell Brown III. Both players are enrolling at UF this month and will be teammates again after playing together at Wildwood.

 

His father, Vincent Brown Sr., was a running back for the Gators under Urban Meyer. Brown Sr. played on the 2008 Gators team that won the National Championship.

 

Brown Sr. coached Brown Jr. as well in high school at Wildwood.

 

Brown is coming in from Southeastern University, an NAIA school located in Lakeland, Fla. He played there for two seasons, taking the field in 19 games. He made 30 total tackles and broke up nine passes.

 

He was a Second-Team All-Sun Conference selection in 2024.

 

In addition to his father, Brown’s uncle (Vernell Jr.) and grandfather (Vernell Sr.) played football at the University of Florida along with two of his great uncles, Charlie and Johnell Brown.

 

Vernell Brown III comes in as one of the top Gators recruits of the 2025 class. According to 247 Sports, he is a four-star recruit and is the No. 6 wide receiver of his recruiting class.

 

 

As 2025 begins, several storylines surrounding Florida Football will unfold during the offseason.

Here are three key narratives to follow closely.

What’s Florida’s strategy with the transfer portal? Florida emphasized how “aggressive” they planned to be in the transfer portal, touting the savings from not buying out Billy Napier as a way to bring in talent from around the country. However, despite some high hopes for wide receiver commit J. Michael Sturdivant, the Gators’ portal activity has been far from “aggressive.” Florida has only added four players so far, with Georgia, Texas, and Tennessee (the SEC playoff teams) securing fewer portal signings within the conference. This is similar to last year’s approach, though the Gators did see a late surge in portal additions, so it’s worth watching for any additional late commitments.

How will Billy Napier handle staffing changes? With Ron Roberts leaving for Houston, Florida has at least one coaching vacancy to fill. The big question is whether Napier will hire another defensive coach or finally bring in an offensive coordinator. Additionally, Cam Parker from SI highlighted that the contracts of Mike Peterson, Rob Sale, Jabbar Juluke, Tyler Miles, and Billy Gonzales all expire on January 31. Whether these staff members are renewed will be a key issue to watch.

Can Florida get an early lead on the 2026 recruiting class? Florida’s class of 2025 faced challenges before a late push lifted them to 10th nationally, but 7th in the SEC. Now, the Gators are looking ahead to 2026, with quarterback Will Griffin from Tampa already committed. With some perceived momentum, can Florida land top recruits early and position themselves in the top five nationally for the 2026 class?

 

 

University of Florida quarterback Graham Mertz was selected as the 2024 GatorMade Danny Wuerffel “Man of the Year.”

 

“Graham is one of the more impressive young men I’ve ever been around, one of my favorite players to coach,” said head football coach Billy Napier. “I respect the example, I respect the standard he sets for the entire organization.”

 

The Man of the Year award is given to a player who demonstrates the values of the Florida Gators football program.

 

“I’ve seen him grow. Ultimately, he found his voice as a leader. He found that place as a competitor. He made our team better and certainly, a big part of our turnaround has been him and his leadership,” Napier said.

 

University of Florida Gators Quarterback Graham Mertz visited pediatric patients in Gainesville this week

The award values include mental and moral qualities, a distinctive disposition, commitment to learning, an active presence in communities, using influence to benefit others, and positively maximizing the efforts of others.

 

“This entire time in Florida has just been amazing for me,” Mertz said. “I think for me, really coming down here, getting out of my comfort zone, it was the first time I was really on my own. It really tested me on what my values were and what I wanted to be in life. How I want to impact others and impact myself.”

 

Former Gators quarterback Danny Wuerffel, who played under coach Steve Spurrier, says Mertz is very deserving of the Man of the Year award.

 

“I’ve gotten to know Graham pretty well over these last couple of years and I’ve been so impressed by his leadership, his professionalism,” said Wuerffel.

 

 

The 2024 Florida Gators football season has come to a close, with a final record of 8-5, highlighted by a victory in the Gasparilla Bowl. Now, as the year wraps up, it’s time to hand out grades for the Gators’ assistant coaches.

These grades are based on the official assistants listed on Florida’s website and do not include figures like strength coach Tyler Miles or analysts such as Dan Enos. Additionally, behind-the-scenes factors beyond our control are not considered, meaning these grades mainly reflect how well the units performed as a whole under each coach’s leadership throughout the season.

When it comes to Descoster, it’s hard to definitively evaluate his coaching effectiveness, as he works under Rob Sale. The C- grade largely reflects the fact that Florida employs two offensive line coaches, but the offensive line itself remained average, failing to secure top-tier talent through recruiting. That being said, the line did improve towards the season’s end, ranking among the top 20 in sack percentage and playing a crucial role in the team’s four-game winning streak. The Gators also faced challenges with their offensive line against teams like Miami, Texas A&M, and Texas. With top recruit Jayden Woods and Tyreak Sapp returning, this unit has the potential for a B+ grade in 2025.

Harris had one of the toughest jobs this season, dealing with injuries that devastated his unit. Yet, he managed to keep the group competitive. The standout performance came from Jason Marshall before his injury, and by season’s end, Trikweze Bridges showed improvement. Harris also landed recruits like Ben Hanks, Lagonza Hayward, and Hylton Stubbs. However, the inconsistent safety play early in the season prevented Harris from earning an A for 2024.

Gonzales’ grading is the most contentious, as his work with the wide receivers sparked both praise and criticism. He turned Elijhah Badger into a legitimate downfield threat and helped Chimere Dike bounce back after a down year at Wisconsin. Gonzales also recruited five-star receivers Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown. However, questions arise over why no other receiver besides Badger and Dike seemed ready to step up. Aidan Mizell and Tank Hawkins, the expected next stars, struggled to earn playing time in 2024. While Gonzales’ achievements warrant an A in some eyes, there are valid concerns that prevent it from being a unanimous decision.

Peterson’s defensive line coaching saw Florida emerge as one of the top units by season’s end, ranking among the top 20 in sack percentage and top 50 in rush defense. Caleb Banks’ emergence was a significant development, and Desmond Watson had a solid season under Chatman’s guidance. However, the Gators will face the challenge of replacing several key players along the defensive interior in 2025, and it remains to be seen if the end-of-season form can carry over.

Jabbar Juluke, despite the challenges of injuries decimating the running back room, was perhaps the assistant coach most universally supported by fans, especially if Napier had been dismissed mid-season. Juluke kept the running back group performing admirably, with multiple players stepping up throughout the year. Even with Montrell Johnson’s departure in 2025, this remains Florida’s deepest position group.

The defense’s story in 2024 was a tale of two halves. It started as a complete disaster, particularly in losses to Texas and early games like Mississippi State. However, by the end of the season, the defense had significantly improved, playing a pivotal role in the four-game winning streak. Prior to that streak, a failing grade for Ron Roberts might have been justifiable

Miami quarterback Cam Ward, considered one of the top prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft, played the first half of Saturday’s Pop-Tarts Bowl against Iowa State, attracting significant attention from NFL teams. Notably, New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen and personnel director Tim McDonnell were in attendance to observe Ward’s performance.

The Giants, who still control their fate for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft, will secure it if they lose their final two games. In need of a quarterback, they are likely to consider either Ward or Shedeur Sanders. While Sanders believes he’ll be the top pick, the Giants are expected to evaluate Ward thoroughly.

Ward finished the season with 4,123 yards and 36 touchdowns, making him a top contender for the first pick. Schoen was likely impressed by Ward’s performance, as he completed 12 of 19 passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns before sitting out the second half.

 

 

The Gators are bringing in a lot of talent for next season on offense, but they need to be able to maximize the talent they have

 

Improved play calling would maximize the incoming wave of talent

Improved play calling would maximize the incoming wave of talent / Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun

 

Gainesville, Fla. – It was a great end to the season for Florida Gators football. They won four straight, beat two top-25 teams to take down some of their rivals and even won a bowl game to cap it all off.

 

But there’s still one glaring issue for the Gators and Billy Napier that could potentially come back to bite them if not addressed this offseason and that’s the offensive play-calling/offensive coordinator position.

 

In 10 games this season, the Gators scored 14 or fewer points in the first half. They only reached at most 10 points in the first half six times and were held scoreless twice. This can’t happen if Florida expects to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

 

If we look at Florida’s offense in comparison to their SEC counterparts, it doesn’t get better.

 

It ranked No. 11 in scoring offense, No. 15 in total offense plays, No. 9 in touchdowns scored, No. 13 in total offense yards, No. 13 in total offense and No. 12 in passing offense. These numbers are nowhere near what they should be given the offensive talent on the roster.

 

One of the big reasons these stats are what they are is the continuity from the offense. At points, it looks choppy and out of rhythm, which results in the offense struggling to move the ball effectively.

 

One statistic that shows this is the number of times the punter was on the field. Florida was second in the SEC in punts this year with 56 in total, only trailing first-place Oklahoma by two. And while it’s great to see Jeremy Crawshaw put his punting leg to good use, it’s also not a good sign seeing a punting unit on the field this much.

 

But that’s enough of the stats being thrown in your face. I think at this point everyone is well aware of what this offense is and how it needs to improve.

 

With the newly acquired talent at the skill positions entering Gainesville next season, the Florida Gators offense should be very dangerous in 2025. However, it will all be for nothing if the play-calling doesn’t improve.