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
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
10 minutes ago
- USA Today
Florida basketball to face TCU on Thanksgiving at Rady Children's Invitational
plan your Thanksgiving accordingly 😏ℹ️ | #GoGators Florida men's basketball will open the 2025 Rady Children's Invitational against TCU on Thanksgiving Day in San Diego, the program revealed Thursday. The Gators and Horned Frogs square off at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, Nov. 27, inside Jenny Craig Pavilion at the University of San Diego. The game will be televised on FS1, with Providence and Wisconsin meeting in the other first-round matchup. Winners and losers will battle the next day on FOX in either the championship or third-place game. Florida basketball owns a 2-1 all-time record against TCU, though the Horned Frogs snagged the last meeting, a 55-50 win in the 2019 SEC/Big 12 Challenge. The Gators are 5-0 against Providence and 3-2 against Wisconsin. For head coach Todd Golden, it's another chance to see how his squad stacks up early in the season. Florida men's basketball claimed a holiday tournament crown just last year, dominating the ESPN Events Invitational in Kissimmee with statement wins over Wake Forest and Wichita State. Before heading west for the Thanksgiving showdown, Florida tips off the 2025-26 season Nov. 3 against Arizona in Las Vegas as part of the Hall of Fame Series. For Gator fans making the cross-country trip, two-day passes for the Rady Children's Invitational range from $101 to $161, with $5 from each ticket going to Rady Children's Hospital–San Diego. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Miami Dolphins' Mike McDaniel: Enforcing the rules is 'very easy' for me
MIAMI GARDENS -- Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel met with reporters before Day 8 of training camp. Highlights: McDaniel jokes about electric first down technology: "I think it's good. Unfortunately, are we going to have less humans running into people with metal sticks?" Enforcing the rules: McDaniel was asked about if he needed to be tougher this year. More: Miami Dolphins preseason schedule 2025: TV schedule, how to watch "For me it's easy to evolve into what's best for the players," he said. "Is it hard for me to post in front of a team meeting, people who have gotten fined for not upholding what our standards are? No, it's not. It's very easy." Zach Sieler seeking new contract Team MVP Zach Sieler wants a new contract but isn't holding out. McDaniel said his teammates "very much" recognize how Sieler is approaching this. "He's showing teammates how he wants to play football," McDaniel said. Sheffield back: CB Kendall Sheffield will be at practice today. Gordon makes impression: Rookie RB Ollie Gordon II left his mark on the team's first padded practice, McDaniel said. "Ollie kind of took the opportunity to introduce himself to the team." Bayron Matos 'getting better' Offensive lineman Bayron Matos was airlifted off the practice field last week, but he has since been released from the hospital. McDaniel said Matos "is getting better. He's with his family and with the appropriate care. That was the only concern we had." LT Patrick Paul impresses: McDaniel said second-year OT Patrick Paul is "acting like he knows the NFL regular season is coming and wants to surprise people." The right approach: The other day, Tua Tagovailoa said he's focused on the bigger picture rather than whether he threw an interception in practice on a given day. McDaniel said it's a "gigantic" step because handling "noise" is what defines a franchise QB's job. Help on the way? McDaniel was asked whether the team plans to bring in a veteran cornerback for a visit. He responded with his standard answer that they're always looking to improve the team. NICE JOB, ROOKIE: Tua Tagovailoa praises Dolphins rookie Quinn Ewers: 'Balling.' This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins' Mike McDaniel says it's 'very easy' to enforce team rules
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Miami Dolphins stock up, stock down from Day 11 of training camp
MIAMI GARDENS -- Observations following Day 11 of Miami Dolphins training camp: Stock up CB Storm Duck Duck ran stride for stride with Jaylen Waddle — no easy feat — to prevent a completion from Tua Tagovailoa. It was just one rep, but it could be significant this fall if Duck can keep it up. LBs Grayson Murphy, Quinton Bell, Derrick McClendon They were some of the reasons that Jaelan Phillips couldn't be more complimentary in his praise of backup LBs in his huddle with reporters after the workout. Miami Dolphins' Jaelan Phillips: Let's not sweat it every time I get a bruise RB Alexander Mattison If the first two weeks of camp are any indication, Mattison is going to be the first back to spell De'Von Achane, ahead of Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon II. Mattison arrived with the reputation as the power back. Don't think of him in only that light. He has shown an ability to get outside and make people miss. Stock down QBs Tua Tagovailoa, Zach Wilson and Quinn Ewers The group has had a respectable camp but this day may have been their poorest. Far too many footballs hit the ground. Some were difficult throws, but others were not. Balls were underthrown, overthrown, off line. With various elements being added to the offense daily, it's to be expected, but this day was out of character for the passing game. Having said that, Wilson had a couple of moments during red-zone drills. OT Larry Borom The free-agent pickup came to camp with something to prove but had a false start. He needs to pick it up over these final couple of weeks of camp. CB Kendall Sheffield Sheffield broke up a would-be touchdown to Tyreek Hill but was aided by the fact the ball was underthrown. He also was seen trailing on other completions, although he did break up a pass intended for Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins stock up, stock down from Day 11 of training camp
