Gator Country provides you our roundtable discussion, where Andrew Spivey, Gentry Hawk, and Nick Marcinko preview Florida’s 2025 season by giving out preseason awards, discussing keys to success, and predicting Florida’s record.
What are the keys to Florida’s offense this season?
AS: This one to me has two answers but one answer at the same time. DJ Lagway’s health is the key to this season. The quarterback play behind him isn’t ready to win in the SEC even though I do believe Trammel Jones is improving quickly.
The second part is the offensive line because they’re responsible for keeping Lagway upright as much as possible this season. I think we all know that Lagway won’t be 100% to start the season as he recovers from his calf injury so the offensive line needs to keep him from taking many hits.
GH: Lagway staying healthy and continuing to develop under this offense. Offensively, Florida has all the pieces they need and I think everything will come together if DJ can take that next step.
NM: The most important player on Florida’s team is sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway. With injury concerns all offseason, Lagway’s health is the biggest key to offensive success in 2025. If Florida wants to make the playoffs for the first time, Lagway will likely need to be as good as advertised. With a veteran offensive line and elite skill position players, the Gators could beat you in a variety of ways with a healthy Lagway.
What are the keys to Florida’s defense this season?
AS: The defensive line is the key to me. Florida doesn’t have a ton of experience in the middle of the line but they have plenty of talent to be effective. On the outside Jayden Woods has impressed in camp and the Gators need him to continue that into the season with LJ McCray expected to miss multiple games.
GH: For Florida’s defense, it’s important that you don’t regress in 2025 after returning key players all around the field. You have to find a way to keep the momentum going from the end of last season, especially in the secondary and on the defensive line. Continue to create turnovers and get to the quarterback this season.
NM: Constant pressure on the quarterback is the key to Florida’s defensive success. In Florida’s 2024 season turnaround, the Gators held their last four opponents to an average of 13 points per game. They did that through constant pressure on the quarterback, mostly from the interior defensive line.
Offensive MVP?
AS: Lagway is the easy answer here but I’m going to go Tre Wilson. Everyone forgets just how good he was as a freshman and he’s healthy again and I believe his junior year will be impressive. Not to mention he won’t be the only big threat in the offense so he should see favorable match-ups.
GH: I have to go with DJ Lagway as the offensive MVP. If he can stay healthy, I think Lagway is in for a special sophomore season.
NM: Lagway is the easiest pick, but for the sake of conversation I’m going with transfer wide receiver J.Michael Sturdivant. I believe his skillet pairs nicely with Lagway’s ability to hit the deep ball. I’m taking Sturdivant to lead Florida in receiving in 2025.
Defensive MVP?
AS: Myles Graham, Florida has needed a captain at linebacker and a guy that would bring the energy and Graham is that guy. A big year is coming from him.
GH: My defensive MVP for this season has to be Tyreak Sapp in his senior season. Off the edge, I think Sapp has a great opportunity to boost his stock and have one of his most productive seasons yet as a Florida Gator.
NM: My MVP of the defense is Caleb Banks. The 6’6, 330 pound defensive tackle was the biggest factor in Florida’s defensive turnaround last season. With a consistent year, Banks could establish himself as one of the best interior players in college football.
Rookie of the year?
AS: Jayden Woods is the guy for me because he’s going to be asked to get to the quarterback a lot with McGray injured. Woods is the guy for me.
GH: I wanted to go with Jayden Woods, but my rookie of the year has to be Dallas Wilson. I think Wilson will have more opportunities to have a bigger impact for the Gators in 2025.
NM: I’m going with wide receiver Vernell Brown III. Napier has praised his growth in recent weeks, claiming he can trust him on the football field. Brown III will make an early impact in Gainesville and has a chance to contribute on special teams.
Breakout player of the year?
AS: Cormani McClain, that may be cheating a little as he performed well to end the year last year but I’m expecting him to have a big year as a starting corner.
GH: This year I’m picking Myles Graham as my breakout player of the year. With an increased role this season, Graham is due to breakout in 2025.
NM: I’m also going with Myles Graham. The sophomore linebacker has a chance to be a force in the middle of Florida’s defense given his ability to stop the run and drop into coverage.
Predict Florida’s record:
AS: 9-3 is my pick.
GH: With their schedule I’m predicting Florida to go 8-4 this season.
NM: My prediction is 9-3. You can find my game-by-game predictions here.