Florida football cracked the top 20 of ESPN’s latest post-spring Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings, landing at No. 19 ahead of the 2025 college football season. The list, compiled by senior writer Mark Schlabach, assesses each program’s roster status after spring practice and transfer portal activity.
Florida, which finished 8-5 last season, returns key offensive pieces, including quarterback DJ Lagway, who enters his sophomore season with high expectations. Lagway, despite limited spring participation due to injury, is expected to be fully healthy for summer workouts.
Head coach Billy Napier will be banking on a blend of continuity and fresh talent. The Gators bolstered their depth through the portal, adding experienced contributors such as former UCLA Bruins wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant and Michigan Wolverines punter Tommy Doman.
The Gators’ defense, led by returning starters Tyreak Sapp, Jordan Castell and Caleb Banks, will be expected to take a step forward.
But for this Florida football team, Lagway’s development remains the key storyline. After throwing for 1,915 yards and 12 touchdowns as a freshman, the former five-star recruit is looked at as a breakout candidate around the country. And quarterbacks often take that biggest jump from their freshman to sophomore season.
If Lagway stays healthy, the Gators have the potential to exceed expectations and make a serious push in the SEC.
This is everything Schlabach wrote about the Gators heading into the 2025 season.
ESPN’s ‘2025 outlook’ for the Gators
“Much of Gators coach Billy Napier’s future seems tied to Lagway, who showed a lot of promise in his first season, throwing for 1,915 yards with 12 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Lagway was a limited participant in spring practice while recovering from a shoulder injury and other ailments. He has started throwing again, and Napier is confident he’ll be fully healthy in offseason workouts.
“The Gators returned much of their offensive line, two solid running backs and a recruiting class that included promising wideouts Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III. If Lagway stays healthy, the Gators should build on last season’s strong finish. But they’ll again play one of the most difficult schedules in the FBS with home games against Texas, Georgia (Jacksonville) and Tennessee and road games at LSU, Miami, Texas A&M and Ole Miss.”
Where ESPN has the SEC in their Top 25 rankings
25. Oklahoma Sooners
24. Ole Miss Rebels
23. Texas A&M Aggies
19. Florida Gators
13. South Carolina Gamecocks
9. Alabama Crimson Tide
6. LSU Tigers
4. Georgia Bulldogs
3. Texas Longhorns
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