Florida football enters week three of fall camp in preparation for the highly anticipated 2025 season. Billy Napier’s squad received a preseason ranking of No.15, as announced by the AP Poll on Monday afternoon.
Gator Country provides you our week three notebook.
Injury updates
Billy Napier provided an update on sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway, who has been limited with a calf injury to start fall camp. Lagway has not participated in an 11 on 11 setting to this point.
“He’s getting 70 competitive throws every day,” Napier said on Lagway. “So his workload is high, it’s just not with a pass rush, you know? Think we’re controlling the environment, trying to take care of him from a soft tissue standpoint.”
“I think he’s doing great. I think he’s on schedule. He’s executing our plan,” Napier added. “I think he had a great day today. I think he had his best day today, he took more reps today than he’s been taking. Obviously didn’t participate in scrimmage, but he’s, you know, he’s hitting all his numbers from a throw perspective. Ball is coming out of his hand with more velocity than any time in his career. You know, I think he’s just, obviously, we’re working on the soft tissue with the calf, and we’re going to, we’re going to execute our plan there, so he’ll be modified for a while here.”
Wide receiver Eugene Wilson III is considered ‘day-to-day’ while Dallas Wilson is considered ‘week to week’, according to Napier. Wilson III returned to practice in a limited capacity last Thursday while Wilson remains in a cast after suffering a small fracture on top of his foot.
Tramell Jones Jr. = Buzz Worthy
Florida is right in the middle of figuring out who their backup quarterback will be in 2025. Freshman quarterback Tramell Jones has made some noise in recent weeks and has even started to get reps with the first and second team as Lagway remains sidelined.
“Tramell Jones is buzz-worthy. I think he has gotten more reps with the first and second units. I think we’re dividing those reps up among those three players. Initially, he wasn’t taking any. And then obviously, we’ve increased the reps as he has done more and proven that he’s capable,” Napier said on Jones Jr.
Jones Jr. threw a touchdown pass to Mike Peterson Jr. in Saturday’s scrimmage.
“I think he did a nice job at the scrimmage, I think made some plays with his feet, he made some off-schedule plays,” Napier added. “Still got to operate much quicker, got to process quicker, communicate better, under the gun and the play clock, you know, the ability to manage the problems as they arise, all those things need to improve. But throws a really good ball, he’s very accurate, he’s got arm talent, and I think he’s a smart kid.”
Jones Jr., Aidan Warner, and Harrison Bailey will battle for the backup quarterback role.
Defense ahead of offense
Napier announced the defense is further ahead of the offense entering week three, which corresponds with what Gator Country has heard / observed in practice. Florida’s defensive line dominated for the second straight Saturday last week.
“I think defensively probably a little bit further ahead, just because of the, you know, I think we’re without a few players on offense, right? So I think that affects our ability to perform. But today, the offense won, right?,” Napier said.
Fall camp risers
Napier had quite the praise for freshman wide receiver Vernell Brown III who wide had a strong showing in Florida’s first scrimmage of fall camp, catching a long touchdown pass from redshirt sophomore Aidan Warner.
“Vernell is one of the emerging players in camp, in my opinion,” Napier said on Brown III. “I think he’s very mature, aware. He’s in great condition, and I think he’s durable. He plays fast for a young player, and I think he’s decisive, and it’s not too big for him. He’s very comfortable in the moment, so he’s got a chance to impact our team as a freshman. So, overall, not a day goes by where I’m not impressed with some of the things that he does. Hopefully we can continue that way.”
With Eugene Wilson, Aidan Mizell, and Dallas Wilson currently limited or out with injuries, other receivers are getting the change to make a name for themselves. Brown III is a part of a lengthy list of receivers that will battle for playing time in 2025.
Sophomore linebacker Aaron Chiles, another player with a dominant performance in Florida’s scrimmage on Saturday, is a physical defender in the mix at both inside linebacker and edge ahead of the 2025 season.
“I’m very impressed with Aaron,” Napier said on Chiles. “Had a great offseason. He’s 245 pounds, and he’s got a lot of position flexibility. He could play inside backer, he can play on the edge, he’s got a pass rush ability on third down. He’s a matchup problem, and he’s a really good special teams player. But most importantly, is the energy and the attitude, the physicality. I think he’s contagious in that regard. Overall, a good young player. He’s going to help our team.”
Redshirt freshman tight end Amir Jackson has taking significant strides after not appearing in a game last season.
“Just being able to do his job more consistently. I think Amir, another guy who’s gotten bigger and stronger, added muscle to that frame. He’s wiry. He has play strength. He’s not scared. He’ll put his face in there,” Napier said on Jackson. “He’s earned our respect because the toughness. I think he’s proven to be a tough, physical player, and then he’s always been able to run around and catch. He’s just showing a little bit more precision. He’s showing that he’s capable of being a guy potentially that we can put in there and count on. So still work to do there, but I think he’s moving in the right direction.”
Napier also noted that freshman cornerback Ben Hanks III has improved in recent practices and redshirt freshman offensive lineman Jason Zandamela has developed nicely at the center position.