As the College Football season has drawn to a close, all eyes shift to the next season. For the Florida Gators, this is a pivotal offseason. Finally capturing some momentum, Florida will be eager to keep adding to the hype. With this being the offseason, many around the country think there won’t be any news for the Gators. They couldn’t be more wrong. This is a crucial time, and there will always be something to discuss. Regarding this team, Spring is approaching, and the addition of transfers continues. With the new Freshmen all moved in, this 2025 team will begin to take shape. Facing another tough schedule, the Gators cannot afford to come out flat again. This Spring and offseason will be telling for Head Coach Billy Napier and his future in Gainesville. This past week, there have been a few news updates for the Florida Gators.
Gators Crucial Offseason
Offensive Coordinator?
One of the main complaints regarding Napier has been the lack of an offensive coordinator. Although the offense finished strong last season, many fans were still hoping for a new hire. With many speculations, everyone knew that it would take time to find one if they found one. Unfortunately for those fans, it would appear that Napier is moving forward without a new offensive coordinator. Napier will continue to help call the plays, as he has done his first three seasons in Gainesville. This comes as a surprise, as the common thought was that a new offensive coordinator was coming. This goes to show that Napier is willing to live and die by his own hand. If the offense keeps moving in the right direction, his critics will begin to quiet down. However, if the conservative playcalling keeps making appearances, he could find himself without a job.
Quarterback Carousel
As discussed in a previous article, Florida lost the commitment of former Charlotte quarterback Deshawn Purdie. Purdie was under the impression that he was coming to Florida to compete with DJ Lagway for the starting job. Of course, that was not the case, and when he was made aware, he asked to be released. Now, this left the Gators quite thin at this position, and fans saw what happened last time Lagway went down. Quickly turning to the portal, the Gators landed the commitment of Harrison Bailey. A well-traveled player, he started Louisville’s bowl game and was efficient. This is big news for the Gators, as the loss of Purdie was some cause for concern. Now with their quarterback room rounded out, Florida can look forward to the next season. With a proven veteran backing up Lagway, both players can build off each other.
Depth Addressed?
One important news update for the Florida Gators came via the transfer portal. Last season, the Gators’ defense made impressive strides, playing good football down the stretch. However, injuries began to rear their ugly head, and the secondary became thin. As evidenced in the matchup against Texas, the depth was not to the standard. After losing Jason Marshall Jr. to the draft, there will be at least one new starting cornerback. With a lot expected to be asked of this young unit, a veteran depth piece was needed. Fortunately, the Gators landed the commitment of Micheal Caraway. The former Southern Miss corner comes to Gainesville with one year of eligibility remaining. A seasoned player, he has 70 tackles and seven pass deflections in his career. This is an important year in Gainesville, and having the proper depth could make or break the season.
Notes for the Season
One thing that the Gators could not avoid was another tough schedule. Although the nonconference is slightly easier, they still run the gauntlet in the SEC. Last year, they finished strong and competed with the top teams in the conference. This season, they must come out fast, as they take on both LSU and Miami early. With road trips to College Station and Ole Miss, this season will be grueling. Now with his most talented roster to date, all eyes will be on Napier. As mentioned, it appears that he has decided to forgo hiring an offensive coordinator. This didn’t sit well with many fans, as this was something they were excited about. This season will live and die by the offense, as Napier’s playcalling has often come under fire. With a star quarterback and plenty of talent at the skill positions, the time to be conservative is over.
Preseason Rankings
With the 2024 season coming to a close, many experts have begun providing their way too early 2025 rankings. After a strong finish to the season, many of these polls feature the Florida Gators. Typically ranked just inside the top 20, expectations are rising but capped. Experts know that this team has the talent to make a deep run next season. However, they play in the SEC and each week will be a battle. It is imperative that the Gators do not listen too much to all the positive news. Yes, the talent is there, but they must earn it with their performances. Napier must have his group locked in and not paying attention to what the media has to say. This could be the breakthrough season fans have been hoping for. If Napier keeps his group focused, a playoff run is not out of the picture.
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