Florida Spring Game: Very simple approach but the Gators have talent.

Harrison Bailey and young receivers shine in Orange and Blue Game as Dallas Wilson nabs a spring game record 10 catches for 195 yards.

By Loren Meadows, GatorBait.com, Football Analyst

Freshman receiver Dallas Wilson (Chris Spears)

There is not much that one can gather from a spring game in 2025. Gone are the days where the Orange and Blue game was the ultimate proving ground for position battles that would settle the depth chart for fall camp. Players would almost play vs. their teammates harder than their foes in the fall as the spring game would determine who takes the first snaps at almost every position. Now in the new age of college football, the spring game has been relegated to more of an offensive showcase void of elaborate defensive schematics and anything that resembles “real tackling”.

In the annual Orange and Blue game fans were treated to some fireworks early and often and at halftime. The latter possibly being the highlight of the day as the Gator faithful honored the National Champion men’s basketball team.

On Friday there were three things that we believed the Gators would take from the game and two of the three turned out to give us what we were looking for.

To say the Gators are more than solid at quarterback is an understatement. DJ Lagway along with Texas’ Arch Manning is the premier quarterback name is the SEC. While Lagway suited up and ran a handful of run plays, the health status if his throwing shoulder remains a concern. While all indications point to him being at least serviceable for the opener against Long Island, who could be called upon in his stead is still in question.

Both Aiden Warner and Harrison Bailey had up-and-down spring perfirmances so the backup job has been anything but fluid. Warner would operate the Blue or “first team” for Saturday’s game while Bailey would take command of the Orange. Both teams would face defenses that were everything but complex and both quarterbacks seemed to capitalize on the kindness the defenses provided.

Transfer quarterback Harrison Bailey had an impressive Swamp debut, throwing for 363 yards and three touchdowns on 29 of 43 passing.

Warner was less active passing, throwing for 157 yards and two touchdowns on 10 of 23 passing but that had a lot to do with a stellar rushing performances by both Ja’Kobi Jackson and Jaden Baugh .

While defenses purposely did very little to make either quarterback uncomfortable, Bailey shows promise while Warner showed palpable improvement from last fall. Based upon what each showed on Saturday the job of backup to Lagway could be a week to week decision that we hope never has to be an issue.

Most impressive was the play of Florida’s young receivers who are as good as advertised. Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III looked extremely effective in the Florida offense and showed why both have been the talk of spring camp.

Wilson snagged a record 10 catches for 195 yards and twi touchdowns, showing great speed, aggressiveness and run-after-catch ability on a run and stiff arm of freshman corner Ben Hanks. Vernell Brown III was just as impressive, showing explosive speed when the ball was in his hands and crossing routes.

Coach Billy Napier was complimentary of the work that Wilson has done off the field and his success was a byproduct of that work. Overall. Napier was complimentary of all three freshman receivers and Wilson, Brown, nor Naeshaun Montgomery seemed to be affected by the moment. 

Defensively, the Gators kept things very simple but Napier did note that the defense “took time to settle in” and played much better in the second half. The defense was able to get a number of young players involved as Dijon Johnson, Bryce Thornton, Aaron Gates and other upperclassmen continue to nurse injuries. In their absence, freshmen defensive backs Ty Jackson (11 tackles), Drake Stubbs (8 tackles), and Josiah Davis (4 tackles) played well in their absence. Napier indicated that when the defense is healthy and locked in, they look to build on the confidence they exhibited the last month of the 2024.

As Napier left Saturday’s press conference, he seemed to be pleased with the effort of his football team, joking about the home run he hit at a joint football/softball event last month. When asked what his three point shot looked like he responded to the reporter stating, “I can beat you in horse, how about that?” 

Celebrating the National Champions at halftime!!! (GatorBait photo)

Other Notes:

-Coach Napier informed the media that DJ Lagway will begin to throw in a couple weeks, followed by full participation in OTA’s, and should be ready for fall camp.

-When asked about possible roster attrition through the transfer portal agreements Napier stated the organization had “reached agreements with 98% of the team.” When asked about his use of the term of agreements Napier responded by saying, “welcome” as a reference to the continuously changing landscape of college athletics.    

The Gators also handed out several spring awards named in honor of former Gators at the conclusion of the game.

The Winners included:

Channing Crowder Headhunter Award

Aaron Chiles, DeBraun Hampton, Scott Isacks, Amir Jackson

Chris Doering I Like to Practice Award

Roderick Kearney, Damieon George Jr., Brayden Slade, Sharif Denson

Jack Youngblood Defensive Lineman Award

Michai Boireau

Lomas Brown Offensive Lineman Award

Bryce Lovett

Joe Haden Defensive Back Award

Jordan Castell, Devin Moore

Emmitt Smith Running Back Award

Jadan Baugh

Danny Wuerffel Most Improved Player

Aidan Warner, Kamran James, Caden Jones, Tony Livingston

Tim Tebow Leadership Award

Tyreak Sapp, Jake Slaughter, Jaden Robinson, Hayden Hansen

Vernell Brown Culture Award

Caleb Banks, Jakobi Jackson, Trey Smack, Taylor Spierto, Knijeah Harris

Steve Spurrier Commitment to Excellence Award

Austin Barber, George Gumbs Jr., DJ Lagway, Rocco Underwood

Reidel Anthony Receiver Award

Eugene Wilson III

Wilber Marshall Linebacker Award

Myles Graham

Community Service Award

Aidan Mizell, Josiah Davis

Louis Oliver Outstanding Non-Scholarship Player Award

Hayden Clem, Alfonzo Allen Jr., Jaden Edgecombe, Javion Toombs, Jackson Wade, Sebastian Scott

Fred Taylor Most Improved Freshman Award

KD Daniels, Fletcher Westphal, Teddy Foster, Cormani McClain, TJ Abrams