Where Florida Gators rankin USA TODAY Sports' post-spring top 25 rankings
Where Florida Gators rankin USA TODAY Sports' post-spring top 25 rankings
The Florida Gators continue to rise in national expectations. Following spring practice, USA TODAY Sports ranked Florida No. 11 in its post-spring "too-early college football top 25" for the 2025 season, as reported by sports writers Paul Myerberg and Erick Smith.
Florida's strong finish to the 2024 season clearly made an impression. The Gators closed the year at 8-5 and head into 2025 with significant momentum on both sides of the ball.
With quarterback DJ Lagway entering his sophomore season after a promising freshman campaign, Florida's offense could take a major leap. Running back Jadan Baugh is expected to lead the ground game, while defensive linemen Tyreak Sapp and Caleb Banks will anchor a defense that surged in the second half of last season.
USA TODAY Sports praised Florida's development across the roster and cited Lagway's progression as a key factor for the Gators' potential push into the top third of the SEC standings. Expectations in Gainesville are certainly growing.
Florida ranks ahead of major programs like Kansas State, Illinois, Tennessee and Michigan. Only a handful of SEC programs, including Georgia, LSU and Alabama, are placed higher than the Gators.
Sitting just outside of the top 10 in USA TODAY Sports' rankings, the Gators have the chance to surprise some people and make a playoff push if key pieces develop under head coach Billy Napier.
Here is everything USA TODAY Sports said about Florida football as well as their top 10 rankings.
What USA TODAY Sports said about Florida football
"There's going to be big expectations around the Gators after their strong finish to 2024. Can that momentum carry over? There are enough pieces to push for a place among the upper third of the league should QB DJ Lagway be healthy and make the expected jump in his sophomore season. RB Jadan Baugh will carry the running game. The defense also made major strides in the second half of last season and will be led by linemen Tyreak Sapp and Caleb Banks."
USA TODAY Sports' college football top 10 rankings
Miami Hurricanes Alabama Crimson Tide Oregon Ducks Notre Dame Fighting Irish LSU Tigers Clemson Tigers Georgia Bulldogs Texas Longhorns Penn State Nittany Lions Ohio State Buckeyes
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