Florida football returns on Aug. 30 when the Gators host the Long Island Sharks, and expectations in Gainesville are as high as they’ve been in years. Billy Napier’s squad features one of the SEC’s most electrifying young quarterbacks, a deep running back rotation, exciting new weapons at wide receiver, and a veteran-heavy offensive line. With sophomore DJ Lagway set to take the reins for a full season, Florida’s offense could emerge as one of the league’s most dangerous.
Quarterbacks: Lagway Era in Full Swing
All eyes are on DJ Lagway, the sophomore phenom who captivated Gator Nation during his freshman campaign. After initially serving as Graham Mertz’s understudy, Lagway took over midseason and won all six games he started and finished, including upsets of LSU and Ole Miss, plus a dominant Gasparilla Bowl win over Tulane.
In limited action, Lagway completed 84 of 139 passes for 1,559 yards, nine touchdowns, and five interceptions. He also flashed elite arm talent, especially down the field — Pro Football Focus graded him as the top deep passer among future NFL-eligible quarterbacks with a 95.6 mark. His 456-yard debut start against Samford set a freshman program record and hinted at his Heisman-caliber upside.
The biggest question for Lagway is durability. He battled core, hamstring, shoulder, and calf issues as a freshman, missing practice time and playing through pain. Florida hopes improved depth behind him will provide insurance. Napier secured a veteran transfer and flipped a commitment from rival Florida State, while Aidan Warner returns with a year of development under his belt. With Mertz, Paul Kessler, and Lawrence Wright IV gone, the quarterback room belongs fully to Lagway — if he stays healthy, Florida’s ceiling rises dramatically.
Running Backs: Depth and Star Power
Florida’s ground game should be a major strength again in 2025, led by Jadan Baugh, the bruising sophomore who broke out in spectacular fashion last year. Baugh led the team in rushing with 673 yards and tied a school record with five touchdowns in a single game against Kentucky. His size, power, and nose for the end zone make him a perfect complement to Lagway’s dual-threat ability.
Veteran Ja’Kobi Jackson brings experience and consistency after posting 509 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024. Behind them, Treyaun Webb returns from a season-ending tibia fracture, while redshirt freshman KD Daniels looks to build on flashes from his debut season, including a touchdown in the Gasparilla Bowl. With four capable backs, Florida will be able to keep legs fresh and punish defenses with a committee approach.
Wide Receivers: Rebuilding with Talent
The Gators lose their top two receivers — Elijhah Badger and Chimere Dike — to the NFL, but Napier reloaded with both proven veterans and elite freshmen.
The return of Eugene Wilson III is a huge boost. The dynamic playmaker earned Freshman All-SEC honors in 2023 before missing most of last season with a hip injury. Fully healthy, he’ll be Lagway’s go-to target.
Florida also added J. Michael Sturdivant from UCLA, who brings 1,667 career yards and 13 touchdowns from his time with the Bruins and Cal. Pair him with five-star freshmen Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III, and Florida’s receiving corps is suddenly one of the most intriguing in the SEC.
Tight Ends: Reliable and Deep
Napier has always emphasized tight ends, and the 2025 group is as steady as it is versatile. Hayden Hansen, a 6-foot-8 redshirt junior, anchors the unit after starting all 13 games last year. He’s a reliable blocker and red-zone option, with 207 yards and one touchdown in 2024.
Behind him, Tony Livingston steps into the No. 2 role after Arlis Boardingham’s transfer. Livingston played over 200 snaps last season and contributed two touchdowns. Highly touted Amir Jackson, a former top-five recruit at his position, rounds out the group. Together, they give Lagway both safety valves and big-bodied targets.
Offensive Line: Veteran Leadership with One New Face
Florida’s offensive line returns four of five starters, a rare luxury in the SEC. The anchor is Jake Slaughter, one of the nation’s premier centers and a 2024 AP First-Team All-American. Slaughter’s dominance earned him a permanent brick outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium — cementing his legacy before his fifth and final season.
Austin Barber (LT), Knijeah Harris (LG), and Damieon George Jr. (RG) all return with significant starting experience. The only new starter is Bryce Lovett at right tackle, who impressed as a freshman by playing in all 13 games with three starts. With four veterans and one rising star, this line should provide both the protection Lagway needs and the run-blocking lanes Baugh and company will exploit.
Billy Napier’s offense in 2025 is built around DJ Lagway, but it is far from a one-man show. With Baugh and Jackson in the backfield, Wilson and Sturdivant on the outside, Hansen anchoring the tight ends, and Slaughter leading one of the SEC’s most experienced offensive lines, Florida has the pieces to become a balanced, explosive unit.
The only real question is health — particularly at quarterback. If Lagway stays on the field, the Gators won’t just contend in the SEC; they could find themselves in the College Football Playoff conversation.
