Florida Spring Practice Report: Florida safeties should take the next step in 2025.

Safeties coach Vinny Sunseri preaching discipline and technique with the young group.

By Loren Meadows, GatorBaitMedia.com, Football Analyst

Safeties coach Vinny Sunseri (all black) (GatorBait photo)

While most of the 2024 season was up and down for the Florida secondary, the last four games saw the young group of defenders play some of their best football under Billy Napier. 

While Florida made strides at the cornerback position it was the Florida safeties that made one of the biggest improvements over the last four weeks in 2024. This season, the older, stronger, wiser, and more aggressive group is looking to make a larger impact this season. 

Coaching the group is new safeties coach Vinny Sunseri who joins the Gators after three years as a player under Nick Saban and coaching stops at Alabama, the New England Patriots, and Washington. Sunseri brings the experience of coaching under legends Saban and Bill Bellichick to a unit that is primed for a big year.

Sunseri is already showing a no nonsense attention to detail and a focus on the little things that can be the difference between wins and losses in the fall. Sunseri inherits a talented group that includes, Jordan Castell, Sharif Denson, Dijon Johnson, Bryce Thornton, and Jamroc Gates. The Gators also added highly touted Lagonza Hayward, and Drake Stubbs in the 2025 recruiting class. While Denson, Johnson, Thornton, and Gates will be limited this spring, Castell is a full participant in practices and Heyward has already caught the eye of the coaches and former Gators who have observed several practices. “Those young guys are getting valuable key reps and that’s important”, Napier stated. Although it is early in spring practice Sunseri seems to have a great relationship with the group and will look to duplicate his success at Washington where he was part of a defense that was fifth in passing defense and eighth in passing efficiency defense. 

Florida freshman Longonza Heyward Jr. (GatorBait photo)

Other Notes:

DJ Lagway continues to be limited in practice on what could be deemed a pitch count. He looks to be moving well and is participating in run play timing and other run offense related drills. Napier stated on Thursday that they have a very detailed plan for Lagway's availability and has been pleased with prospective backup Harrison Bailey in his Lagway's absence.

Absent from the defensive line group today were Caleb Banks, Brien Taylor Jr., and D’Antre Robinson. Banks has been sidelined with a foot injury while the status of Robinson and Taylor is unclear as Robinson was a full participant in Tuesday’s practice. Jamari Lyons who missed all of 2024 with a broken ankle is in a non-contact jersey but has been seen participating in individual drills.