Spring Game Preview: Three things to look for in Saturday’s Orange and Blue Game

Despite the lack of star power there is plenty to look for in what could be the last spring game at Florida.

By Loren Meadows, GatorBaitMedia.com, Football Analyst

Freshman receiver Dallas Wilson (Chris Spears photo)

The annual Orange and Blue game has been a Gator tradition as far as many can remember and an opportunity for fans to get an early glimpse of the team that will suit up in the fall. And get an idea of who may be the next great to come out of Gainesville.

In recent years, however, spring games all over the country have diminished in value to both coaches and fans. Injuries and the lack of competitiveness have made the game less important as teams look to sharpen their strategies and keep roster development closer to the vest.

Florida year’s will take on both a subdued and jubilant feel as the Gators will celebrate the 2025 National Championship by Todd Golden’s team, which will be celebrated at halftime with comments from players and coach Golden. Unfortunately for Gator fans the celebration will be a little jaded as star quarterback DJ Lagway will most likely sit the scrimmage out as he has been limited this spring with a sore shoulder. While the health of Lagway will continue to be the subject of the offseason narrative, the Gators have plenty to address on Saturday and the fans will certainly get a birdseye view of some of the Gators newest and brightest stars. Whether Lagway suits up or not there will be three areas that Gator fans will want to focus on this Saturday that will make for an entertaining day. 

1.     Backup Quarterback-If Lagway cannot go, who is in line to lead the Gator offense? Reserve quarterbacks Aiden Warner and Harrison Bailey have received mixed reviews for those who observe practice while Coach Napier seems to be pleased with the work of both players this spring. Warner struggled in relief of Lagway last season completing just 42 percent of his passes for zero touchdowns and three interceptions. The former walk-on transfer from Yale is said to be improved from last season and will be a major part of Saturday’s game. Harrison Bailey transferred to Florida after stops at Tennessee, UNLV, and Louisville.  The former 5-star recruit has thrown for 10 touchdowns against three interceptions and has a 63 percent career completion percentage. Based on experience Bailey should be the leader to backup Lagway but word is Warner is definitely in the mix. 

2.     The Young Receivers-The Florida Gators were the only team in the country to sign three receivers in the Top 12 in the Class of 2025 and it seems that all three were well deserving of those accolades. Freshman receivers Dallas Wilson, Vernell Brown III, and Nashaun Montgomery have been the talk of the spring. All possess great speed and big play ability and have more than held their own against the best the defense has to offer. Wilson is a cookie cutter SEC receiver who looks like a seasoned vet, while Brown is more in tune with the talented Eugene Wilson III.  Montgomery fits somewhere in the middle and is a younger clone of Aiden Mizell. The talent of all three had been noted by coaches on both sides of the ball and according to former Gators could start or see substantial snaps this season. 

3.     Is the Defense Back at Florida? -Despite all the talk the past two offseason about Napier relinquishing play-calling duties the struggles on the defensive side of the ball have been the true Achilles heel of this program. Under two separate coordinators the Gators were historically inept on defense particularly on third down. Then a change was made that allowed Ron Roberts to become the primary play caller on defense and what resulted was a resurgence that saw the defense play its best football since COVID and harass top tier quarterbacks Garrett Nussmeier and Jaxson Dart in two of the biggest wins in the Napier Era. While household names like Shemar James and Jason Marshall Jr. have departed, the Gators return leading sack man Tyreak Sapp, and future freak part two LJ McCray upfront. At linebacker the Gators return Pup Howard, Jaden Robinson, as well as super sophomores and Myles Graham and Aaron Chiles. On the back end Jordan Castell returns from an improved sophomore season along with Devin Moore and Cormani McClain at corner. Outside of the young receivers the improvement of McClain in the offseason has been the talk of the program even grabbing high praise from former Gator corners Quincy Wilson and Jalen Tabor. 

Linebacker Aaron Chiles (Chris Spears photo)

With these and other storylines in play true fans of the Gators should still be intrigued by what the Gators put on the field this weekend.

The Orange and Blue Game is scheduled for 1:00pm with the Gator Walk scheduled for 10:20am. Admission is free and Florida Victorious will be hosting a meet and greet for its members following the game.

The championship celebration will take place during an extended halftime hosted by Gator radio announcer Sean Kelly.