“They had the number one strength of schedule in the country last year. It doesn’t change much. They got the number two strength of schedule in the country this year.”
Setting the tone right off the bat, Billy Napier and Gainesville are again going to be put right in the meat grinder. Now, credit where credit is due, Napier did a fantastic job of securing a positive year for the Gators last season. A team that had pretty much nothing going for it – with an okay QB (Graham Mertz), out with ACL and play calling that was as predictable as Scar’s death in The Lion King. Still, DJ Lagway somehow managed to carry Billy Napier to a fairy tale ending, and we expect him to try to do the same in 2025 – but aren’t we forgetting about something before the yearly “We will win Natty” narrative begins?
Spring Game Prep: “One other note on Florida Gators Billy Naper mentioning that they had 16 players on their injury report,” Chris Gordy points out. Now the list includes 2 QBs, 2 RBs, 2 WRs, DLs, 1 LB, and 6 DBs. Another thing to keep in mind is that not all players will skip spring practice. Napier has pointed out that Caleb Banks, Sharif Denson, Aaron Gates, Jameer Grimsley, Pup Howard, and Paul Kessler will be attending the practice but will be exempted from some of the drills.
Syndication: Ocala StarBanner Florida head coach Billy Napier coaches Florida running back Montrell Johnson Jr. 1 during Florida spring football practice at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun Ocala , EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xAlanxYoungblood/GainesvillexSunx USATSI_22874818
Out of the 16, the only player that is going to perform at their full potential is Eugene Wilson III. Despite that hip injury, Napier has mentioned, “He’ll be able to do almost everything.” It is not all black and white for the Gators, after all.
Regardless, you can expect these 16 to be back in form before the season starts off, so that takes off some of the pressure. However, the biggest question mark on the board right now is Lagway. That one hamstring injury against Georgia really did shake the Gators’ foundation altogether, and now, lingering shoulder and lower body injuries are rearing their ugly heads.
DJ Lagway: Limited
“I do think he’ll be limited in throwing activities, but he’ll participate in all practices otherwise.” We try to be positive, but Napier saying this before spring practice doesn’t light the flame of confidence in our hearts. With the shoulder and lower body problems, Lagway will be very limited during throwing drills.
We get that he needs the rest, but you also have to keep in mind that the 2025 season ain’t that far away. Gators will be against LSU on 13th September, then a double blow by Miami (with Carson Beck) and Texas (with Arch Manning).
If Gainesville wants that playoff berth, Lagway and the rest of the squad have to get their war outfits ready. We all know that this season is going to be extremely rough – mostly because of all the roster changes and the new QBs that are taking over.
Napier once again has a shot at defying history, and the Spring Game shall lay the foundation of what we can expect out of Gainesville in 2025.
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