Gators will have a very experienced roster for 2025 season

Left tackle Austin Barber (58) should be a candidate for all-star honors in 2025 (Photo by Chris Spears)

With the transfer of Southern Miss safety Micheal Carraway Jr. on Friday, the Florida Gators currently have 82 on scholarship. That leaves the Gators three under the limit provided, of course, that the SEC doesn’t change its mind when the new scholarship limits (105) go into effect in May. The new limits are part of a settlement with Congress to avoid anti-trust legislation against college football. As of November, the SEC was holding to the 85-limit through the 2025 season, but that definitely could change. SEC commish Greg Sankey isn’t the type to allow another league to gain a competitive advantage, so think of the scholarship limits as in a holding pattern at the moment.

Florida will have an experienced roster returning from an 8-5 2025 that saw four straight wins at the end of the season. The Gators lost only 12 players to the transfer portal. Billy Napier has proceeded cautiously in the portal, bringing in only four so far. Napier is likely to sign a quarterback, a corner and defensive lineman from the portal, either in the next few days or in May.

ROSTER THROUGH JANUARY 17

(Potential all-starts in bold face)

QUARTERBACKS (3): Clay Millen (6-3, 193, RSR); DJ Lagway (6-3, 239, SO); Tramell Jones (6-0, 195, FR)

Lagway is the unquestioned starter and already on everyone’s too early Heisman Trophy list. Walk-on Adrian Warner (6-3, 206, RSO) started a game when both Graham Mertz and Lagway were injured. Clay Millen was a starter at Colorado State but he didn’t play at all last year. Tramell Jones was highly recruited out of Jacksonville Mandarin. The Gators are seriously considering signing Harrison Barnes, a former 4-star QB who started his career at Tennessee and was at Louisville last year.

RUNNING  BACKS (7): Ja’Kobi Jackson (5-11, 209, RSR); Treyaun Webb (5-11, 211, RSO); Jadam Baugh (6-1, 227, SO); KD Daniels (6-0, 197, RFR); Waltez Clark (6-1, 190, FR); Byron Louis (5-11, 205, FR); Chad Gaspar (5-11, 195, FR)

Baugh (673 yards, 7 touchdowns) and Jackson (509 yards, 7 TDs) will be as good a 1-2 punch as there is in the SEC next year. Webb (93 yards, 1 TD) has serious talent, but is coming off an injury that limited him to four games. Daniels (77 yards, 1 TD) is said to have as much talent as any of the backs. All three freshmen will probably redshirt.

WIDE RECEIVERS (10): J. Michael Sturdivant (6-4, 185, RSR); Kahleil Jackson (6-3, 215, RJR); Eugene Wilson III (5-10, 183, JR); Aidan Mizell (6-2, 186, RSO); Tank Hawkins (5-10, 176, SO); TJ Abrams (5-10, 197, RFR); Dallas Wilson (6-3, 193, FR); Vernell Brown III (5-11, 173, FR); Naeshaun Montgomery (6-1, 165, FR); Muizz Tounkara (6-3, 195, FR)

Despite losing Elijhah Badger and Chimere Dike to the NFL, this should be a position of strength for the Gators, who landed UCLA transfer J. Michael Sturdivant in the portal. Sturdivant has 123 catches for 1,667 yards and 13 touchdowns in his career. Tre Wilson played only four games before a season-ending injury but he had 19 catches for 266 yards and a TD before the injury (80-804, 7 TDs career). Aidan Mizell (17-202, 2 TDs) saw a lot of PT after the Wilson injury. He has blazing speed, same for Tank Hawkins and TJ Abrams. The freshman recruits of Dallas Wilson, Vernell Brown III and Naeshaun Montgomery are one of the best groups in the country.

TIGHT ENDS (5): Hayden Hansen (6-8, 267, RJR); Tony Livingston (6-5, 254, JR); Amir Jackson (6-5, 228, RFR); Micah Jones (6-4, 250, FR); Cameron Kossman (6-6, 240, FR)

Hansen is a tremendous blocker who became a legitimate receiving option (15-207, 1 TD). Tony Livingston opened eyes in the bowl win over Tulane (4-58, 1 TD) and figures to be in the regular rotation. Amir Jackson has speed and great potential. Both freshmen could play at least on special teams.

O-LINE (17): Austin Barber (6-6, 314, RSR); Damieon George Jr. (6-6, 345, RSR); Jake Slaughter (6-5, 308, RSR); Kamryn Waites (6-8, 343, RSR); Devon Manuel (6-7, 319, RJR); Knijeah Harris (6-3, 321, JR); Caden Jones (6-8, 327, RSO); Roderick Kearney (6-4, 305, RSO); Bryce Lovett (6-5. 317, RSO); Fletcher Westphal (6-8, 321, RFR); Marcus Mascoll (6-5, 306, RFR); Jason Zandamela (6-3, 313, RFR); Enoch Wangoy (6-7; 330, RFR); Noel Portnjagin (6-5, 314, RFR); Tavaris Dice (6-4, 295, FR); Jahari Medlock (6-5. 275); Daniel Pierre Louis (6-4, 290, FR)

Led by first team All-America center Jake Slaughter (21 career starts), Florida’s offensive line figures to be one of the best in the Southeastern Conference, maybe one of the best in the country. Austin Barber (26 career starts) returns as a 2-year starter at left tackle and Damieon George Jr. (25 career starts) returns after a year as the starter at right tackle and last year as the right guard. Knijeah Harris started all 13 games at left guard. Bryce Lovett (3 career starts) could start at either guard. Kamryn Waites (5 career starts) has started at both tackles and right guard. Devon Manuel missed all but three games but he has great potential as a pass blocker. Coaches are high on the potential of Fletcher Westphal and Caden Jones, who will be given a shot to earn the right tackle job in the spring. The Gators could be in the market if there is an experienced right tackle in the portal after the spring.

D-LINE (8): Caleb Banks (6-6, 325, RSR); Brien Taylor (6-5, 274, SR); Jamari Lyons (6-4, 304, RSO); Michael Boireau (6-5, 351, SO); D’Ante Robinson (6-3, 307, SO); Joseph Mbatchou (6-5, 280, FR); Jeramiah McCloud (6-3, 285, FR); Stephon Stivers (6-5, 380, FR)

If there is a position of concern this is it. The five returning players all have talent and the freshmen have potential, but depth is the real question after losing Cam Jackson to the NFL and Desmond Watson to graduation. Caleb Banks (21 tackles, 4.5 sacks) could have gone to the NFL but he’s back and expected to have a real breakout year. Jamari Lyons missed the year with an injury. If he returns to 2023 form, he will be a starter. Brien Taylor (14 tackles) can get after the passer. Michael Boireau (15 tackles) and D’Ante Robinson (17 tackles, 3 TFL) will be in the mix to start at nose tackle. The Gators will probably be looking to add one or two from the portal.

EDGE (7): Tyreak Sapp (6-3, 272, RSR); George Gumbs (6-4, 249, RSR); Kamran James (6-6, 267, JR); Kofi Asare (6-5, 215, JR); LJ McCray (6-6, 264, SO); Jaylen Wiggins (6-5, 270, FR); Jaden Woods (6-3, 235, FR)

Despite losing Jack Pyburn, TJ Searcy and Justus Boone to the portal, the Gators will be in good shape thanks to the foursome of Tyreak Sapp (47 tackles, 7 sacks), George Gumbs Jr. (35 tackles, 5 sacks), Kamran James (28 tackles, 2 sacks) and LJ McCray (13 tackles). Kofi Asare (30 tackles, 3 sacks) was picked up out of the portal from UMass. Wiggins and Woods have tremendous potential as pass rushers.

LINEBACKERS (6): Grayson Howard (6-4, 238, JR); Jaden Robinson (6-0, 230, JR); Aaron Chiles (6-2, 234, SO); Myles Graham (6-1, 228, SO); Ty Jackson (6-1, 197, FR); Myles Johnson (6-1, 220, FR)

This is a young, but fast, physical group. Howard (37 tackles) was a fixture in the middle until he got hurt in the Texas game. Jaden Robinson (52 tackles, 3.5 sacks) had an exceptional year. Myles Graham (30 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception) and Aaron Chiles (22 tackles, 1 sack) are stars of the future. Coaches love the potential of freshmen Ty Jackson and Myles Johnson.

CORNERS (6): Devin Moore (6-3, 197, SR); Dijon Johnson (6-1, 200, JR); Cormani McClain (6-2, 175, JR); Jameer Grimsley (6-2, 196, SO); Teddy Foster (6-1, 181, SO); Ben Hanks III (6-1, 170, FR)

Talent won’t be an issue but depth could be. When healthy Devin Moore (17 tackles, 2 interceptions) is an outstanding cover corner. Dijon Johnson (27 tackles) was very good at the end of the year when injuries forced him into the starting lineup. McClain is a former 5-star recruit who needs physical strength to stay off the injured list, but the potential is definitely there. Grimsley had ACL revision surgery which means he’s unlikely to play in 2025. Foster will be in the rotation. Ben Hanks III, a Gator legacy, is good enough to be in the rotation if not start in the fall. The Gators may sign a corner in February but they are definitely seeking someone in the portal.

SAFETIES (9): Micheal Carraway Jr. (6-1, 185, SR); Jordan Castell (6-2, 210, JR); Sharif Denson (5-11, 189, JR); Bryce Thornton (5-10, 210, JR); Aaron Gates (6-1, 196, RSO); Josiah Davis (6-1, 198, SO); Gregory Smith III (6-3, 211, SO); Lagonza Hayward (6-1, 205, FR); Hylton Stubbs (6-1, 185, FR)

Jordan Castell (55 tackles, 9 pass breakups) is a fixture as are Sharif Denson (37 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 interception) and Bryce Thornton (41 tackles, 3 interceptions). Aaron Gates had season-ending surgery. The Gators signed Micheal Carraway Jr. (70 career tackles) out of the portal from Southern Miss. Greg Smith may eventually grow into an outside linebacker. Hylton Stubbs figures to be in the rotation. Josiah Davis and Lagonza Hayward will have to earn their way into the rotation.  

SPECIAL TEAMS (4): P Tommy Doman (6-5, 190, RSR); LS Rocco Underwood (6-3, 228, RSR); PK Trey Smack (6-1, 200, SR); PK Evan Noel (6-2, 155, FR); P Hayden Craig (6-2, 190, FR)

Smack hit 18-21 field goals including three for more than 53 yards. He is 32-35 on field goals in his career and has scored 178 points. Evan Noel will be the backup. Tommy Doman (career 43.4 yards per punt) was signed out of Michigan. Hayden Craig will back him up. Rocco Underwood is perhaps the best long snapper in the country.