Why is Tyreak Sapp smiling? He knows he's got mates like Banks, McClain and McCray on his squad (UAA Photo)

Dallas Wilson (6) suffered a lower leg injury Wednesday (Photo by Chris Spears) Freshman wide receiver Dallas Wilson suffered a lower leg injury in practice Wednesday. Per Zach Abloverdi of Gators Online, Wilson is expected to miss a couple of weeks of practice.   The wide receivers room has been hit with injuries, although none of them seem to be the type that will cost some or all of the regular season. At Saturday’s practice, Tre Wilson and Aidan Mizell were injured. Mizell was in a non-contact jersey on Tuesday while Tre Wilson did not dress. Kahleil Jackson who tore an ACL last year and had a second surgical procedure on the knee, is out until further notice. Freshman Muizz Tounkara was in a non-contact jersey Saturday.   With the injuries, the reported go-to guy for quarterback DJ Lagway is UCLA transfer J. Michael Sturdivant. A redshirt senior, Sturdivant has 123 career catches for 1,667 yards and 13 touchdowns. Sturdivant began his career at California, where he caught 65 passes for 755 yards and seven touchdowns as a redshirt freshman in 2022.   Others who will get more reps in due to the injuries are sophomore Tank Hawkins, redshirt freshman TJ Abrams and true freshmen Vernell Brown III and Naeshaun Montgomery.   FLORIDA 2025-26 BASKETBALL SCHEDULE   Even with the usual cupcakes that will visit the O-Dome in November and December, the Gators will be playing one of the toughest schedules in the country in 2025-26. Prior to the SEC schedule, which begins on the road January 3 at Missouri, the Gators will face Arizona in Las Vegas, Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium and UConn in Madison Square Garden.   The Gators will get Kentucky home-and-home this season but will play Tennessee, Auburn and Alabama only one time, each of those games at the O-Dome.   Home games bold face Nov. 3 Arizona (Las Vegas); Nov. 6 North Florida; Nov. 11 Florida State; Nov. 16 Miami (Jacksonville); Nov. 21 Merrimack; Nov. 27-28 Providence, TCU, Wisconsin (Rady Children’s Invitational, San Diego)   Dec. 2 at Duke (SEC-ACC Challenge); Dec. 9 UConn (Jimmy V Classic, Madison Square Garden); Dec. 13 George Washington (Orange Bowl Classic, Sunrise); Dec. 17 Saint Francis; Dec. 21 Colgate; Dec. 29 Dartmouth   Jan. 3 at Missouri; Jan. 6 or 7 Georgia; Jan. 10 Tennessee; Jan. 13 or 14 at Oklahoma; Jan. 17 at Vanderbilt; Jan. 20 or 21 LSU; Jan. 24 Auburn; Jan. 27 or 28 at South Carolina; Jan. 31 Alabama   Feb. 7 at Texas A&M; Feb. 10 or 11 at Georgia; Feb. 14 Kentucky; Feb. 17 or 18 South Carolina; Feb. 21 at Ole Miss; Feb. 25 at Texas; Feb. 28 Arkansas; Mar. 3 or 4 Mississippi State; Mar. 7 at Kentucky   SPORTING NEWS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA   Offense QB: Arch Manning, Texas; RB: Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame; Isaac Brown, Louisville; WR: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State; Ryan Williams, Alabama; Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State; TE: Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt; C: JAKE SLAUGHTER, FLORIDA; G: Olaivaega Ioane, Penn State; Ar’maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&M; T: Spencer Fano, Utah; Francis Mauigoa, Miami; AP: Desmond Reed, Pitt   Defense DL: Tim Keenan III, Alabama; Peter Woods, Clemson; EDGE: TJ Parker, Clemson; Dylan Stewart, South Carolina; LB: Kyle Louis, Pitt; Anthony Hill Jr., Texas; Aiden Fisher, Indiana; CB: Leonard Moore, Notre Dame; Jermod McCoy, Tennessee; S: Caleb Downs, Ohio State; Michael Taaffe, Texas; DB: Dillon Thieneman, Oregon   Specialsts PK: Dominic Zvada, Michigan; P: Brett Thorson, Georgia; KR: Keelan Marion, Miami; PR: Kam Shanks, Arkansas   Second team Offense QB: Cade Klubnik, Clemson; RB: Makhi Hughes, Oregon; Nick Singleton, Penn State; WR: Eric Rivers, Georgia Tech; Antonio Williams, Clemson; Carnell Tate, Ohio State; TE: Tanner Koziol, Houston; C: Iapani Laloulu, Oregon; G: Cayden Green, Missouri; Jaeden Roberts, Alabama; T: Kadyn Proctor, Alabama; Gennings Dunker, Iowa; AP: Quintrevion Wisner, Texas   Defense DL: Zane Durant, Penn State; Reuben Bain Jr., Miami; EDGE: Suntarine Perkins, Ole Miss; Colin Simmons, Texas; LB: Sonny Styles, Ohio State; CJ Allen, Georgia; Whit Weeks, LSU; CB: D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana; Chandler Rivers, Duke; S: KJ Bolden, Georgia; Koi Perich, Minnesota; DB: Isaiah Nwokobia, SMU   Specialists PK: Peyton Woodring, Georgia; P: Palmer Williams, Baylor; KR: Rayshawn Pleasant, Auburn; PR: Kaden Wetjen, Iowa   SPORTING NEWS TOP 25 QUARTERBACKS   1. Arch Manning, Texas; 2. Cade Klubnik, Clemson; 3. Drew Allar, Penn State; 4. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU; 5. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State; 6. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina; 7. DJ LAGWAY, FLORIDA; 8. Luke Altmyer, Illinois; 9. John Mateer, Oklahoma; 10. Julian Sayin, Ohio State; 12. Haynes King, Georgia Tech; 13. Carson Beck, Miami; 14. Josh Hoover, TCU; 15. Nico Iamaleava, UCLA; 16. Rocco Becht, Iowa State; 17. Kevin Jennings, SMU; 18. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor; 19. Dylan Raiola, Nebraska; 20. Miller Moss, Louisville; 21. Jake Retzlaff, Tulane; 22. Avery Johnson, Kansas State; 23. Dante Moore, Oregon; 24. Blake Horvath, Navy; 25. Bruce Underwood, Michigan   SPORTING NEWS SEC QUARTERBACK ROOM RANKINGS   1. Texas: Arch Manning; Trey Owens 2. LSU: Garrett Nussmeier, LSU; Michael Van Buren 3. South Carolina: LaNorris Sellers; Air Noland 4. FLORIDA: DJ LAGWAY; HARRISON BAILEY 5. Vanderbilt: Diego Pavia; Blake Berlowitz 6. Oklahoma: John Mateer; Michael Hawkins Jr. 7. Arkansas: Taylen Green; KJ Jackson 8. Texas A&M: Marcel Reed; Jacob Zeno 9. Georgia: Gunner Stockton; Ryan Puglisi 10. Alabama: Ty Simpson; Austin Marck or Keelon Russell 11. Auburn: Jackson Arnold; Ashton Daniels 12. Tennessee: Joey Aguilar; Jake Merlinger 13. Ole Miss: Austin Simmons; Pierce Clarkson 14. Mississippi State: Blake Shapen; Luke Kromenhoek 15. Kentucky: Zach Calzada; Cuttler Boley 16. Missouri: Beau Pribula; Sam Horn   SEC FOOTBALL   Alabama: An area that needs great improvement in 2025 is Alabama’s pass rush. A year ago, the Crimson Tide got to opposing quarterbacks only 25 times, which tied for 13 th in the SEC. That was a 14-sack dropoff from the previous season.   Arkansas: Wide receiver Omega Blake was named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list. Last year at Charlotte, Blake caught 32 passes for 795 yards (24.8 per catch) and nine touchdowns.   Auburn: Hugh Freeze was disappointed with the energy level at Wednesday’s practice. “You would think we would have a little more energy, I would hope,” Freeze said. “I told them just a while ago if you’re only excellent when people are watching, it’s not really excellence. It’s just performing. There were spurts of practice that were really good and there were others when I think we just kinda got through.”   Georgia: When it comes to quarterback Gunner Stockton, it seems the Bulldogs are looking for a game manager and not so much a playmaker. Wednesday, HBC Kirby Smart said, “I think avoiding catastrophic moments is what’s important.”   Kentucky: You can tell what’s important at Kentucky. Fall practice has begun for football yet their websites devote 80 percent or more of their time to basketball.   LSU: Despite rumors that Garrett Nussmeier suffered a significant knee injury Wednesday, sources told Bruce Feldman that the injury wasn’t anything major. Nussmeier had to be carted off the field.   Mississippi State: Only 15 players remain on the Mississippi State roster who were with the Bulldogs when Zach Arnett was fired as the head coach following the 2023 season. The current roster includes more than 60 players who were not on the 2024 roster.   Missouri: Xavier Loyd, who transferred to Mizzou from Illinois State, is looking good in camp. After two years at Kansas State, Loyd transferred to Illinois State where he caught 66 passes for 912 yards and six touchdowns in 2024.   Oklahoma: Spring football and fall camp have convinced Sooner wide receivers that they have a stud to get them the football in Washington State transfer John Mateer. “He’s the best quarterback in the country,” says Isaiah Sategna, who caught 37 passes for 491 yards last season at Arkansas.   Ole Miss: Even with so many new faces, Lane Kiffin loves the depth in his wide receiver room. “I do think and have looked at every year we’ve been here and this is the deepest receiver group,” Kiffin said after Wednesday’s practice. “That would allow us, if we stay healthy, to truly rotate as we should in the system and be better in the fourth quarter of games.”   South Carolina: The Gamecocks don’t intend to get pushed around on the D-line this year. The four new faces all weigh in at 305 or more pounds – Monkell Goodwine (305), Nick Barrett (322), Christian Ingram (310) and Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy (315). Last year’s starting tackles weighed in at less than 295.   Tennessee: Greg McElroy on Joey Aguilar, the transfer QB who was the starter at Appalachian State last year: “ “What concerns me is their quarterback, and this is not an indictment on Joey Aguilar… He’s got to learn a new scheme, and this is a scheme that does require some rep equity that you have to be on the same page with your wide receivers,” McElroy said. “There’s a lot of reading. There’s a lot of reacting to what the defense does, and Josh Heupel can simplify things, but it’s going to be up to Joey Aguilar to have a great grasp, and he’s not going to have a lot of time to learn it. So that remains a concern for me.”   Texas: Texas opens the season with Ohio State August 30. Even though it’s No. 1 vs. No. 2, it will be a noon kickoff on Fox, which gets the first pick of all Big Ten matchups. Ohio State AD Ross Bjork, formerly the AD at Ole Miss, is trying to get the game moved to Sunday night.   Texas A&M: Trey Zuhn III, a 3-year starter at left tackle, has been working out at center, the only position along the O-line that doesn’t return a starter. The backups at both the left and right tackles are solid and capable, so the Aggies think it’s worth checking out Zuhn at center.   Vanderbilt: On the injured list Wednesday were WR/DB Martel Hight, EDGE Miles Capers, OL Chase Mitchell and WR Trent Hudson.

(Photo by Chris Spears) Does a year older necessarily make you a year better? CBS Sports obviously seems to think so when it comes to the Florida Gators. With their 4-game winning streak to finish off the 2024 season, the Gators finished a modest No. 35 in the CBS ranking of every team in Division I. Coming on strong at the end plus the year of experience impressed the people at CBS enough to rank the Gators No. 12 in their preseason ranking. That’s an improvement of 23 places from last year, plus it represents a 5-place improvement over the AFCA Coaches Top 25 which came out Monday.   Here is what Chip Patterson of CBS wrote about the Gators: “ Billy Napier entered the middle of November with a 4-5 record needing multiple ranked wins to even reach a bowl game. But, after wins against LSU, Ole Miss and Florida State, the Gators added a bowl win to boost momentum heading into the offseason. Florida has NFL talent on both lines of scrimmage and potentially one of the best quarterbacks in the country with DJ Lagway, so a top 20 ranking is fair for the Gators given the roster talent.”   Florida has 11 games scheduled against Division I opponents. Here are the opponents and their ranking: 104. South Florida; 9. (at) LSU; 10. (at) Miami; 1. Texas; 18. (at) Texas A&M; 70. Mississippi State; 5. Georgia (in Jacksonville); 57. (at) Kentucky; 22. (at) Ole Miss; 20. Tennessee; and 41. Florida State.   CBS TOP 25: 1. Texas; 2. Penn State; 3. Ohio State; 4. Clemson; 5. Georgia; 6. Notre Dame; 7. Oregon; 8. Alabama; 9. LSU; 10. Miami; 11. Arizona State; 12. FLORIDA; 13. Illinois; 14. Kansas State; 15. Michigan; 16. South Carolina; 17. SMU; 18. Texas A&M; 19. Iowa State; 20. Tennessee; 21. Texas Tech; 22. Ole Miss; 23. Indiana; 24. Oklahoma; 25. Utah   Other SEC and teams of interest to Florida: 28. Missouri; 32. Auburn; 41. Florida State; 43. Arkansas; 47. Vanderbilt; 57. Kentucky; 58. UNLV; 70. Mississippi State; 74. UCF; 81. South Florida; 104. Florida Atlantic; 123. Florida International   TREYAUN WEBB INJURY Running back Treyaun Webb, who fractured a tibia that required surgery after game four last season, has undergone surgery to repair a ruptured muscle in his right hamstring per Graham Hall of Florida.247Sports.com . No timeline has been given for Webb’s recovery but Hall reports that the injury isn’t expected to keep the redshirt sophomore out a significant amount of time.   BAUGH ON DOAK WALKER AWARD WATCH LIST Sophomore running back Jadan Baugh, who led the Gators with 673 rushing yards and seven touchdowns last year as a true freshman, has been named to the Doak Walker Award Watch list. The award is given to the nation’s top running back every year.   Per Zach Goodall of Florida.247sports.com , Baugh was a non-participant in Tuesday’s practice. Also out were wide receivers Aidan Mizell, Eugene Wilson III and Kahleil Jackson, tight end Tony Livingston, offensive lineman Enoch Wangoy and cornerback Dijon Johnson. Besides the quarterbacks in non-contact jerseys were wide receiver Muiz Tounkara, linebacker Grayson Howard and CB Jameer Grimsley.   MARCUS SPEARS SAID IT Marcus Spears, the former LSU All-American defensive lineman, first round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys (2005) and now co-host of ESPN’s “Get Up! First Take!” calls this a better get it done soon year for LSU head coach Brian Kelly. Kelly is 29-11 in three seasons at LSU. The Tigers made the SEC Championship Game in 2022 because they held the tiebreaker over Alabama. In the title game in Atlanta, LSU was hosed by Georgia, 50-30. The Tigers had the Heisman Trophy QB in 2023 but didn’t make the SEC Championship game. A year ago, LSU went 9-4 with three straight losses (Texas A&M, Alabama and Florida) in November.   Spears says more is expected of Kelly, who was signed to a 10-year, $100 million contract to leave Notre Dame for LSU. The Tigers are a top ten team in nearly every preseason ranking. Spears says the time is now to make the College Football Playoff or else.   Spears said, “LSU is in that window now … where if you don’t win big, if you’re Brian Kelly, this fan base is done, and I’m just telling you, the wins and the success and all of the other things, going to the SEC Championship your first year was great, but people still didn’t feel like that was a big time accomplishment based on how it happened.”   The Tigers are tearing it up on the recruiting trail, but Spears says none of that will matter to the fan base if the Tigers aren’t one of the 12 teams in the College Football playoff.   “It doesn’t guarantee a championship, but it should guarantee you being a playoff contender,” Spears said. “And if they are not, if they are on the outside looking in in the playoffs, this fan base is going to quickly turn on Brian Kelly. And it’s almost like there’s been situations where they’ve been waiting to do it. This would be that inflection point if LSU doesn’t win big this year. I’m telling ya’ll what I know, not what I think.”   SEC FOOTBALL Alabama: Speaking of the 3-man competition for the starting QB position between Ty Simpson, Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said, “All the guys have been getting ones, twos and threes with the exception of Ty (Simpson). He’s the only guy who’s not taking any three reps. Really it’s been status quo, but today everybody got a couple reps with the ones. Ty took a couple with the twos. We’re still moving them around and the guys know that.”   Arkansas: Former Gator Miguel Mitchell, who spent most of last season injured, is off to a good start. He’s expected to be the starter at strong safety.   Auburn: Right now, the starters in the secondary are Jay Crawford and Kayin Lee at the corners, Sylvester Smith at nickel, and safeties Kaleb Harris and Champ Anthony. The corners are being pushed by Miami (OH) transfer Raion Strader and Tulane transfer Rayshawn Pleasant.   Georgia: ESPN ranks quarterback Gunner Stockton No. 2 in its ranking of new starting quarterbacks for likely contenders. ESPN’s Bill Connelly wrote, “Georgia has the highest floor in the sport, but the Dawgs’ ceiling will be defined by Stockton and a receiving corps that didn’t do nearly enough for its quarterbacks last season.”   Kentucky: The Wildcats lost their best two wide receivers to the transfer portal so finding replacements who can play at a high level is critical for offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan. Ja’mori Maclin (13 catches, 313 yards, 4 TDs in 2024) is an expected starter. The Wildcats are depending on Oklahoma transfer JJ Hester, Alabama transfer Kendrick Law and Clemson transfer Troy Stellato to figure prominently in the rotation.   LSU: Brian Kelly expects quarterback Garrett Nussmeier to be more of a runner this year instead of a statue in the pocket. Kelly said, “He knows that he’s not going to run the ball 10-15 times a game, but if he can give us 5-6 carries when we need them it’s going to make him more effective.”   Mississippi State: Linebacker Branden Jennings thinks the defense will be better this year thanks to improved depth at linebacker. Jennings said, “I feel like it’s very different when you have depth and you have good depth. I feel like we have good depth right now.”   Missouri: While the quarterback situation is up in the air, the Tigers have settled on the starters at the wide receivers in Marquis Johnson and Joshua Manning on the outside with Kevin Coleman in the slot. A year ago Johnson caught 25 passes for 352 yards and a TD while Manning caught 13 passes for 192 yards and a TD.   Oklahoma: Injuries at the running back position are troubling. California transfer Jaydn Ott has a sprained AC joint suffered in Tuesday practice. Taylor Tatum (hamstring) and Xavier Robinson (foot) have yet to practice.   Ole Miss: With Cayden Lee in a non-contact jersey, the wide receiver opening eyes is Wake Forest transfer Deuce Alexander. He caught 36 passes for 400 yards and two touchdowns last year as a true freshman.   South Carolina: The Gamecocks have three returning starters on the O-line in center Boaz Stanley and tackles Josiah Thompson and Cason Henry. Running with the first unit at the guards are Tree Babalade and Trovon Baugh.   Tennessee: On the O-line the starting center job is a competition between William Satterwhite and Sam Pendleton. Wendell Moe is a lock at one of the guards and Lance Heard is a returning starter at left tackle. David Sanders Jr. and Jesse Perry are in a battle for the right tackle position. Pendleton could wind up starting at right guard.   Texas: Despite losing projected starter at right tackle Andre Cojoe for the season due to an ACL, HBC Steve Sarkisian feels good about the depth on his O-line and the Longhorns ability to absorb the loss. “We have plenty of good people in that room and we’ll be okay,” Sarkisian said.   Texas A&M: The Aggies’ fifth practice of training camp was highlighted by numerous off-target throws of 15 or more yards from quarterbacks Marcus Reed and Miles O’Neill. Complicating matters, wide receivers KC Concepcion, Mario Craver, Terry Bussey, TK Norman and Izaiah Williams all had drops on very catchable passes of more than 15 yards.   Vanderbilt: Juco transfer Tre Richardson, who played at Washburn Junior College last year, lit it up at Tuesday’s practice. Richardson is also expected to be an asset in the running game. In juco ball last season, Richardson caught 52 passes for 983 yards and 11 touchdowns while running 32 times for 240 yards.

(Photo by Chris Spears) In the aftermath of DJ Lagway being seen throwing the football at a practice session open to the media on Saturday, there was an exhale from media and Gator fans alike strong enough to qualify as a category one or two hurricane. Wearing a compression sleeve on his left leg to protect an injured calf, Lagway threw effortlessly, giving the appearance that at least from an arm standpoint, he’s ready to have an exceptional training camp.   When he met the media Monday, Florida coach Billy Napier pretty much dismissed the widespread panic over the Lagway injury as much ado about nothing.   “Yeah, I think it was good for you guys [in the media] to see him,” Napier said. “I think you guys were probably a little more relieved than everybody else. We’ve been watching the guy work all summer, you know. Obviously, he had a little bit of a setback with the calf, but I think he’s on the right track and you know, he threw in public the other day and eveybody’s all excited about that. The guy’s been working hard all summer and certainly, hopefully, he’ll be able to do more and more as we go day-to-day.”   Well, so much for that.   The rest of the Monday media session was spent discussing improvement by numerous players and depth, depth being the most important topic discussed.   Regarding the depth at guard on the offensive line, Napier said, “ Yeah, we got four guards I think that are good players. I think Kam Waites and Rod Kearney are having good camps, and I think there's a lot of competition there. Obviously Damieon (George) and Knijeah (Harris) are returning stars, but we got four good players. I think Jason Zandamela has had a good camp. He's really impressed me through the fifth day with the progress he's made at center. So, yeah, I feel good about those guys up front, and it's extremely competitive out there because I think the defensive line room and the edge room is a battle every day. So, yeah, feel good about that competitive depth at that position for sure.”   And, regarding the overall depth of the team, Napier said in reply to a question, “I think we know in this league that our depth will be challenged. There were guys that had to play last year that were sitting in the team room this time of year last year, maybe thinking there's no chance I'm going to play. So in this league, with the depth of the competition, the physicality, the size, explosive players that we play against, our depth will be challenged. There's going to be weeks where we're without a few. It's important that we have the depth that we need, and can we build a team that doesn't have the drop-off - that's the challenge here. The special teams component is the other part, in terms of having enough players to be really good in the kicking game. We did a great job in the kicking game last year. I think we were composite No. 2 in the country in the top-three ranking systems. So, that's an area where we need to continue to develop roles. I think we have a chance to be really good in the kicking game again."   Well, there you go.   GATORS NO. 17 IN COACHES POLL; WILL FACE SEVEN TOP 25 TEAMS The AFCA Coaches Top 25 poll is out with Florida earning the No. 17 ranking to start the season. The Gators will play what ESPN has deemed the toughest schedule in the nation of Power Four conference teams – at No. 9 LSU; at No. 10 Miami; No. 1 Texas; at No. 21 Texas A&M; No. 4 Georgia (in Jacksonville); at No. 15 Ole Miss and No. 15 Tennessee.   Billy Napier was fairly non-committal about Florida’s early ranking.   “Ultimately, for our team, it’s important that we’re focused on our process and not necessarily other’s opinion,” Napier said. “I think if we connect our confidence to others’ opinions of our self and our team, then we’ll not end up being the best we can be. I think we have to work each day. If we can keep stacking days and focus on today, then that turns into a good week, turns into a good month … you look up, maybe you have a good season. So, you know, maybe we’re better than that, maybe we’re not. Obviously, we don’t live in that world. You guys (media) do, but certainly it’s good to get a little attention, but we know it doesn’t matter. We’re going to have to spot the ball and go compete and earn it on the field.”   The toughest schedules belong to Florida, Oklahoma and unranked Mississippi State, all of whom play seven ranked teams. LSU, Arkansas and Kentucky will each play six ranked teams. The easiest? Missouri, Auburn and Tennessee only play three ranked teams. No. 1 Texas will play four.   AFCA COACHES TOP 25: 1. Texas; 2. Ohio State; 3. Penn State; 4. Georgia; 5. Notre Dame; 6. Clemson; 7. Oregon; 8. Alabama; 9. LSU; 10. Miami; 11. Arizona State; 12. Illinois; 13. South Carolina; 14. Michigan; 15. Ole Miss; 16. SMU; 17. FLORIDA; 18. Tennessee; 19. Indiana; 20. Kansas State; 21. (TIE) Iowa State; Texas A&M; 23. BYU; 24. Texas Tech; 25. Boise State   SEC FOOTBALL Alabama: Corner Domani Jackson, who missed the entire spring, is back practicing. After transferring from Southern Cal last season, Jackson finished with 52 tackles with two interceptions, a pass breakup and a forced fumble … Alabama will face four teams from the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – at No. 4 Georgia, No. 18 Tennessee, at No. 13 South Carolina; and No. 9 LSU.   Arkansas: K.J. Jackson seems to be solid as the No. 2 quarterback behind Taylen Green. As a freshman a year ago, Jackson completed all four of his pass attempts for 59 yards. He had one rushing attempt that gained three yards … The Razorbacks will face six teams ranked in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – at No. 15 Ole Miss; No. 5 Notre Dame; at No. 19 Tennessee; No. 21 Texas A&M; at No. 9 LSU; at No. 1 Texas.   Auburn: These guys lined up as the first team defense Monday: DE Keldric Faulk; DT Jay Hardy; NT Bobby Jamison-Travis; EDGE Keyron Crawford; LB Elijah Melendez and Xavier Atkins; CB Jay Crawford and Kayin Lee; S Kalev Harris and Kensley Louidor-Faustin; NB Sylvester Smith … The Tigers will face three teams ranked in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – at No. 21 Texas A&M; No. 4 Georgia; and No. 8 Alabama.   Georgia: Gunner Stockton is the clear No. 1 at quarterback. The backup QB is a battle between Ryan Puglisi and Ryan Montgomery. Puglisi is a redshirt freshman while Montgomery is a true freshman who wasn’t available in the spring … Georgia will face five teams from the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – at No. 18 Tennessee; No. 8 Alabama; No. 15 Ole Miss; No. 17 Florida (in Jacksonville); and No. 1 Texas.     Kentucky: Incarnate Word transfer Zach Calzada is the No. 1 QB at the moment, but sophomore Cutter Boley has been turning heads with some very good throws. Last season, Boley completed 26-53 passes for 338 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions … Kentucky will face six teams ranked in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – No. 15 Ole Miss; at No. 12 South Carolina; at No. 4 Georgia; No. 1 Texas; No. 18 Tennessee; and No. 17 Florida.   LSU: In the 7-on-7 session at Monday’s practice, Garrett Nussmeier completed 6-8 passes for 35 yards with one interception. In the 11-on-11 he was 6-8 for 60 yards … The Tigers will face six teams ranked in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – at No. 6 Clemson; No. 17 Florida; at No. 15 Ole Miss; No. 13 South Carolina; No. 21 Texas A&M; and at No. 8 Alabama.     Mississippi State: As Jeff Lebby continues to shuffle his O-line, hoping to find a combination that works better than last year when the Bulldogs gave up 38 sacks, senior Albert Reese IV (6-7, 330) is working at both guard and tackle. … The Bulldogs will face seven teams ranked in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – No. 11 Arizona State; No. 18 Tennessee; at No. 21 Texas A&M; at No. 17 Florida; No. 1 Texas; No. 4 Georgia; No. 15 Ole Miss.   Missouri: Ahmad Hardy (5-10, 206, SO) is the clear No. 1 running back. Last year as a true freshman at Louisiana-Monroe he gained 1,351 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. A year ago Mizzou used Nate Noel and Marcus Carroll in a 2-headed approach. They combined for 1,413 yards and 15 touchdowns … The Tigers will face three teams ranked in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – No. 13 South Carolina; No. 8 Alabama; and No. 21 Texas A&M.   Oklahoma: Out with injuries at Monday’s practice were wide receiver Deion Burks, O-lineman Derek Simmons, defensive back Kendel Dolby; D-lineman Gracen Halton and corner Eli Bowen. Tight end Kaden Helms suffered a hand injury Monday. Florida State transfer Marvin Jones Jr. was injured Saturday but was back practicing Monday … Oklahoma will face seven teams ranked in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – No. 15 Michigan; No. 1 Texas (in Dallas); at No. 13 South Carolina; No. 15 Ole Miss; at No. 18 Tennessee; at No. 8 Alabama; and No. 9 LSU.   Ole Miss: The offensive line is shaping up like this: Center Brycen Sanders; guards PJ Wilkins and Delano Townsend; tackles Diego Pounds and Jayden Williams … The Rebels will face four teams ranked in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – No. 9 LSU; at No. 4 Georgia; No. 13 South Carolina; and No. 17 Florida.   South Carolina: HBC Shane Beamer says the South Carolina wide receivers have “a chance to be the most talented wide receiver room we’ve had here, certainly in my time and really probably in a long time here at Carolina” … The Gamecocks will face five teams ranked in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – at No. 9 LSU; No. 8 Alabama; at No. 15 Ole Miss; at No. 21 Texas A&M; and at No. 6 Clemson.   Tennessee: The injury report: Corner Jermod McCoy, wide receiver Chris Brazzell, tight end Cole Harrison, EDGE Christian Glass, wide receiver Mike Matthews and EDGE Joshua Josephs … The Vols will face three teams ranked in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – No. 4 Georgia; at No. 8 Alabama; at No. 17 Florida.   Texas: Redshirt sophomore right tackle Andre Cojoe (6-6, 345), suffered what is feared to be a torn ACL. Cojoe was competing for the starting job … The Longhorns will face four teams ranked in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – at No. 2 Ohio State; at No. 17 Florida; at No. 4 Georgia; No. 21 Texas A&M.   Texas A&M: The depth chart behind starting quarterback Marcel Reed (6-1, 185, RSO) is Jacob Zeno (6-2, 215, RSR), Miles O’Neill (6-5, 220, RSO), Brady Hart (6-4, 195, FR) and Eli Morcos (6-1, 205, FR) … The Aggies will face five teams ranked in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – at No. 5 Notre Dame; No. 17 Florida; at No. 9 LSU; No. 13 South Carolina; and at No. 1 Texas.   Vanderbilt: Linebacker Miles Capers, who had 46 tackles including eight for loss, three sacks and three forced fumbles a year ago, has added 14 pounds of muscle. He measures out at 6-4, 249 pounds now … The Commodores will face five teams ranked in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – at No. 13 South Carolina; at No. 8 Alabama; No. 9 LSU; at No. 1 Texas; at No. 18 Tennessee.

Several players are making a big impression on Gator Football coaches.

The Best Running Game in the SEC Who will have the best running game in the Southeastern Conference in 2025? I confidently say Florida, and it won’t be close. Billy Napier has assembled the best and deepest running backs room in the league. Plus, the offensive line might prove to be among the best in the country. Meet Florida’s Running Backs Florida’s running backs include: Jadan Baugh (6-1, 235, SO) Ja’Kobi Jackson (5-11, 216, RSR) Treyaun Webb (5-11, 212, RSO) KD Daniels (5-11, 201, RFR) Duke Clark (6-1, 190, FR) Byron Louis (6-0, 206, FR) Chad Gasper (5-11, 205, FR) This lineup is reminiscent of the legendary 1996 Gators. That team featured stars like Fred Taylor, Elijah Williams, Terry Jackson, and Eugene McCaslin. While they were known for Heisman Trophy QB Danny Wuerffel, who threw to NFL-bound players like Reidel Anthony and Ike Hilliard, they also averaged 170 rushing yards per game. A Winning Strategy The strategy for the 1996 Gators was straightforward. Florida threw the ball early, built a lead, and then ran the clock down in the second half. This forced opponents to abandon their running game. One-dimensional teams rarely beat the Steve Spurrier era Gators. Billy Napier may not run as creatively as Spurrier, but he loves to run the ball, especially when he has the lead. He boasts the best set of backs he’s had at Florida, a formidable offensive line, and a quarterback in DJ Lagway who can dissect defenses, especially off play action. Give Napier the lead this year, and watch the Gators dominate with their offense. Expect Heavy Workloads Expect Baugh, Jackson, and Webb to split around 40 carries per game. This strategy will keep them fresh while they pound away and milk the clock. Rating the SEC’s Top Five Running Games: Florida Texas Texas A&M Missouri Alabama Rating the SEC’s Top Five Running Backs: Quintrevion Wisner, Texas Ahmed Hardy, Missouri Jadan Baugh, Florida Le’Veon Moss, Texas A&M Jam Miller, Alabama UNC's Potential Move to the SEC Recently, a report from Inside Carolina revealed that the University of North Carolina is exploring ways to leave the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) for Southeastern Conference (SEC) membership. The report suggests that Carolina is one of several schools interested in this move, and they are “at the front of the pack” alongside Clemson. The Financial Pull of the SEC Several ACC schools are eager to leave their league. They see the financial benefits their SEC counterparts enjoy and want a piece of that action. Clemson and Florida State recently settled lawsuits to secure more revenue than the majority of ACC members. However, even with this added revenue, they still lag behind the SEC, which is poised for a renegotiated contract with ESPN in the near future. The SEC's success in both football and basketball gives it leverage in negotiations with ESPN/Disney. More fans tune in to SEC football than any other conference. Additionally, 14 of the 16 SEC teams made the NCAA Basketball Tournament. In contrast, only Clemson and FSU have stadiums with capacities exceeding 70,000 in the ACC. Why the SEC Should Stay Put With 16 teams, the SEC has a near-perfect number for scheduling in football and basketball. If the SEC opts for nine league games in football, fans will see three conference teams each year, home or away, and all other teams at least once every four years. Adding more teams won’t significantly impact the SEC’s television revenue. It would merely extend a financial lifeline to schools from leagues like the ACC. Does the SEC really need to do that? I think not. Let the ACC continue to rake in NCAA championships in sports that don’t generate revenue. The SEC excels in women’s sports and doesn’t need to add schools that can’t contribute to football finances. Nico Iamaleava's Transfer to UCLA In the spring, it was reported that quarterback Nico Iamaleava demanded a significant raise at Tennessee. When Tennessee refused, head coach Josh Heupel reportedly let Iamaleava go. Shortly after, he transferred to UCLA. The Real Reason for the Move At Big Ten Media Days, Iamaleava claimed that the money issue was exaggerated. “Just false reports that made me not feel comfortable in the position that I was in,” he said. “But in the back of my head, I always wanted to come back home and be closer to my mom, closer to my dad.” If you believe that, you might also think the Easter Bunny is real. Of course, it was about the money. Tennessee was paying him $2 million a year. At 22, you don’t walk away from that unless someone offers you more. Thomas Castellanos and His Bold Statements Thomas Castellanos, the 5-9, 196-pound Boston College transfer, is set to start at Florida State. He recently made headlines with his comments about Alabama: “They don’t have Nick Saban to save them. I just don’t see them stopping me.” Confidence or Overconfidence? Last year at Boston College, Castellanos threw for 1,366 yards and 18 touchdowns in eight games. He ran for 194 yards, down from 1,113 yards and 13 TDs the previous year. He had a decent season, but he didn’t exactly light it up against top-tier competition. Against his only ranked opponent, No. 22 Missouri, he threw a couple of interceptions and managed just 16 yards on the ground in 13 carries. I’m sure Alabama is quaking in its cleats. At ACC Media Days, Castellanos reiterated, “We stand on what I said, but there’s no disrespect toward that team. That’s just the confidence that I have in my teammates and the way we prepare.” With Alabama coming off a disappointing 9-4 season and missing the College Football Playoff, FSU doesn’t need their quarterback giving Alabama any extra motivation. A Reflection on David Reese's Journey Remember David Reese? Back in 2018, he was a freshman linebacker from Fort Pierce. He appeared in two games and took a redshirt. Injured in 2019, he took another redshirt. Then came the 2020 COVID year, where he played in five games. The Long Road to Success In 2021, Reese didn’t play a single game for the Gators but made the SEC Academic Honor Roll. Somehow, he received another redshirt. In 2022, under Billy Napier, Reese played in all 13 games, making two tackles—one against Tennessee and the other against Utah. He continued his academic success, making the Honor Roll again. Reese graduated from UF in spring 2022 and transferred to California as a 5th-year redshirt sophomore. He played in 12 games, recording 36 tackles, eight for loss, and 6.5 sacks. He also broke up three passes, had four quarterback hurries, and forced three fumbles. An Unusual Journey Five years is usually the limit, but Reese’s journey was unique. He took redshirts, had the COVID year, and graduated. This added up to a seventh year (2024) at California, where he recorded 22 tackles, 7.5 for loss, and 4.5 sacks. He also broke up a couple of passes and forced a couple of fumbles. Now, Reese is in a new uniform at Syracuse, listed as a first-team EDGE rusher. This marks his eighth college football season. Only in the NCAA! Rethinking NCAA Policies Reese should be the poster child for why we need a new organization to replace the NCAA. The transfer portal is chaotic, and eligibility rules are convoluted. Here are two ideas I support: One Free Transfer : Players should be able to transfer once without sitting out. If they transfer again, they must sit a year. Five-Year Limit : Players can only play for five years, regardless of injuries or redshirts. Academic performance should also be tied to transfers. If a player has a GPA below 2.5, they should sit out a year. The NCAA complicates matters with every decision. The smart move is to replace it, starting with football and gradually incorporating other sports. A new commissioner, free from academic constraints, should enforce a fresh set of rules. In conclusion, the future looks bright for Florida Gators sports. With the right strategies and players in place, we can expect exciting seasons ahead. Let's rally behind our team and enjoy the journey!

The Impact of Mentorship on Quarterback Development A few thoughts to jump start your Wednesday morning: If and when DJ Lagway lives up to the hype and plays like a Heisman Trophy-capable quarterback, how much credit will be given to Graham Mertz for his development? Even before his season-ending ACL tear against Tennessee, Mertz was proving his worth as a teammate and mentor to Lagway, who arrived at Florida as the No. 1 high school quarterback in the country. It was an almost perfect pairing. Mertz was a team-first guy, willing to park his ego outside the Heavener Center. One of the most cerebral quarterbacks ever at Florida, he took Lagway under his wing. Mertz shared everything he knew—from commanding the huddle to reading defenses and knowing when to tuck the ball and take a sack. Lagway, it turned out, was the proverbial sponge, eager to absorb anything and everything Mertz could teach. Lagway's Rise to Prominence When Mertz went down with the injury against the Vols, Lagway was ready to step in and play. The moments when he played like a true freshman were few and far between. By the time the Gators faced Ole Miss, Lagway had returned from injury and sparked the Gators to four straight wins. The Gators now boast the longest winning streak in the Southeastern Conference as they head into the 2025 season. In an interview on Sirius XM at SEC Media Days, Lagway was quick to credit Mertz for his development. He said, “Having Graham Mertz was the best thing that could ever happen to me. I always tell this story, but Coach (Billy) Napier came into the office going into my freshman year. He said, ‘Having Graham Mertz is going to be the best thing that ever happened to you.’” “At first, I was like, ‘I don’t know.’ But looking back, Graham has been an amazing resource and still is to this day. And it’s great to kind of have him home back in my home city of Houston. Graham is just an amazing resource to have, an amazing human being, and I am just thankful to have him.” Mertz's NFL Journey Mertz was a sixth-round draft pick of the NFL Houston Texans. By all accounts, he is expected to make the Houston roster, largely because he’s already mastered the playbook. His journey from college star to professional athlete is a testament to his hard work and dedication. Phil Steele's Top 40 Rankings SEC Teams in the Spotlight Phil Steele Top 40 Penn State Clemson Notre Dame 4. Texas 5. Ohio State 6. Georgia Alabama 8. Oregon Oklahoma 10. Michigan 11. LSU 12. SMU 13. Baylor 14. Miami 15. Boise State 16. Illinois 17. FLORIDA 18. Utah 19. Texas A&M 20. Indiana 21. Iowa State 22. Southern Cal 23. Arizona State 24. Kansas State 25. Toledo 26. Ole Miss 27. Memphis 28. Nebraska 29. Texas Tech 30. Georgia Tech 31. Florida State 32. James Madison 33. Iowa 34. Louisville 35. North Carolina 36. TCU 37. Pittsburgh 38. Texas-San Antonio 39. Liberty 40. San Jose State SEC Order of Finish Predictions Phil Steele Picks the Order of Finish in the SEC Georgia Texas Alabama (Tie) Oklahoma LSU Texas A&M 7. (Tie) FLORIDA Ole Miss Tennessee 10. (Tie) South Carolina Auburn 12. (Tie) Arkansas Missouri 14. Vanderbilt 15. Kentucky 16. Mississippi State Around the SEC: Key Updates Alabama The Crimson Tide will play the nation’s 21st toughest schedule according to Phil Steele. They face Florida State in Tallahassee for their season opener, along with road games at Georgia, Missouri, South Carolina, and Auburn. Home games include Wisconsin, Tennessee, and LSU. The Alabama football program is valued at $1.74 billion by The Athletic, ranking sixth nationally and third in the SEC. Arkansas While expressing a desire to have Arkansas State as a rival, Sam Pittman dismissed the idea of a home-and-home series. Arkansas State plays in a 30,000-seat stadium, and this year’s game will be held in Little Rock. The Razorbacks have the third toughest schedule in the country, with home games against Notre Dame, Texas A&M, Auburn, and Missouri, and road games at Ole Miss, LSU, and Texas. Arkansas football is valued at $646 million by The Athletic, placing it 10th in the SEC and 23rd nationally. Auburn Auburn has hired Jovon Hubbard from Arkansas as its new assistant general manager. Hubbard previously served as Sam Pittman’s director of player personnel. Phil Steele ranks Auburn’s schedule as the 17th toughest in the nation. The Tigers will host Georgia, Missouri, and Alabama while facing road games against Oklahoma and Texas A&M. Auburn ranks 13th nationally and eighth in the SEC, with its football program valued at $1.06 billion. Florida The Gators will face the nation’s 12th toughest schedule according to Phil Steele. They will play LSU, Miami, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss on the road, with Georgia in Jacksonville and home games against Texas, Tennessee, and Florida State. The Athletic ranks Florida seventh in the SEC and 12th nationally, with the football program valued at $1.08 billion. Georgia Chase Calicut, a 4-star safety from Houston, TX, was recently arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Calicut had chosen Georgia over Texas, Michigan, Ole Miss, and Alabama. Phil Steele gives Georgia the 44th toughest schedule in the country, with home games against Alabama, Ole Miss, and Texas, and road games at Tennessee and Auburn, plus Florida in Jacksonville. The Athletic values the Georgia football program at $1.92 billion, second only to Texas in the country. Kentucky Kentucky’s schedule ranks as the ninth toughest in the nation, according to Phil Steele. The Wildcats will host Ole Miss, Texas, Tennessee, and Florida in Lexington, while facing road games against South Carolina, Georgia, Auburn, and Louisville. LSU The Tigers open their season at Clemson and then host Florida two weeks later. They have the nation’s sixth toughest schedule according to Phil Steele, with road games against Ole Miss, Alabama, and Oklahoma, and home games against South Carolina and Texas A&M. The Athletic values LSU football at $1.23 billion, ranking sixth in the SEC and 10th nationally. Mississippi State Phil Steele ranks Mississippi State’s schedule as the second toughest in the country. The Bulldogs will face Arizona State, Tennessee, Georgia, and Ole Miss at home, while going on the road to face Texas A&M, Florida, and Missouri. Missouri Missouri’s schedule ranks 50th on Phil Steele’s toughness rankings. The Tigers will host Kansas, South Carolina, Alabama, and Texas A&M, while facing road games against Auburn and Oklahoma. Oklahoma Phil Steele ranks Oklahoma’s schedule as the seventh toughest in the country. The Sooners will host Michigan, Auburn, Ole Miss, Missouri, and LSU, while facing road games against South Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama. The Oklahoma football program is valued at $1.49 billion, ranking seventh nationally and fourth in the Southeastern Conference. Ole Miss The Rebels have the No. 48 toughest schedule in the country per Phil Steele. They will host LSU, South Carolina, and Florida, while going on the road to face Georgia and Oklahoma back-to-back. Ole Miss football is valued at $591 million by The Athletic, ranking 11th in the SEC and 20th nationally. South Carolina South Carolina has the nation’s fourth toughest schedule according to Phil Steele. The Gamecocks open the season against Virginia Tech in Atlanta and have home games against Oklahoma, Alabama, and Clemson. Their road games include Missouri, LSU, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M. South Carolina football ranks 12th in the SEC and 22nd nationally, valued at $563 million. Tennessee The Vols’ schedule is the No. 47 toughest in the nation according to Phil Steele. They will host Georgia and Oklahoma but face road games against Alabama and Florida. Tennessee football was valued at $1.37 billion by The Athletic, ranking fifth in the SEC and ninth nationally. Texas Texas will start the season ranked No. 1 nationally. The Longhorns will play a schedule that Phil Steele ranks as the 16th toughest in the country. They start their season on the road at Ohio State and face Florida on the road and Oklahoma in Dallas in back-to-back weekends. There is also a road game at Georgia and a home game against Texas A&M. The Athletic values the Texas football program at $2.38 billion, making it the most valuable in the country. Texas A&M Phil Steele ranks Texas A&M with the nation’s 14th toughest schedule. The Aggies will play at Notre Dame, LSU, and Texas, while hosting Auburn, Florida, and South Carolina. Surprisingly, despite significant funding, the Aggie football program is valued at $973 million by The Athletic, ranking ninth in the SEC and 15th nationally. Vanderbilt Vanderbilt’s schedule ranks 28th nationally on Phil Steele’s toughness scale. The Commodores will face Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Alabama, Texas, and Tennessee on the road, while hosting LSU, Missouri, and Auburn in Nashville. One Final Pithy Thought The NCAA, in its infinite wisdom, is considering expanding the basketball tournament from 68 to 72 or more teams. They believe this will give more deserving teams a chance to be Cinderella, even if just for a day. It doesn’t matter that adding more teams won’t necessarily improve the tournament. The reality is that there’s a better chance donkeys will fly before any of these expansion teams win the national championship. Basically, the tournament will be diluted. However, the NCAA sees potential dollar signs. The NCAA Tournament doesn’t need expanding. There’s an old Southern saying: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The College Football Playoff isn’t broken either, but there’s already a push to expand from 12 to 16 teams. It seems to matter little that we’re only one year into the 12-team tournament, which worked quite well. Sure, there were minor glitches, but the format of five highest-ranked conference champions plus seven at-large teams was effective. Playing the first four games on campus was another success. It isn’t fair that the top four rated teams get a bye but don’t get a home game to reward their fans. That’s fixable. The ranking system could also use some tweaking, but again, that’s manageable. A smart approach would be to stick with the 12-team format for at least two or three more years. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has repeatedly stated that 12 teams is just fine. Other conference commissioners would be wise to heed his advice. If you put Sankey in a room with all the other conference leaders, you can be assured of one thing—Greg Sankey will be the smartest guy in the room. Before tackling the additional issues that come with adding four more teams, let’s work out the glitches in the 12-team format. Let it run smoothly and allow television ratings to build up so that fans demand more teams. That’s a common-sense approach. Unfortunately, because it is common sense, it seems unlikely that the current format will last more than another year or possibly two. Common sense and the majority of decision-makers in college sports are like two ships passing in the night—about 1,800 miles apart.

Which players had the dings, who looked promising and what QB DJ Lagway did.   By ALLEN BARNEY GatorBaitMedia.com   The sun was not the only thing blazing at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium as the team bounced around in individual drills with an energy that appears different in comparison to recent years. Saturday was the first open practice for media and fans to see the 2025 edition of the Gators football team.   Off to a good start in 2025: Billy And DJ (UAA Photo) Here are my observations from the 23-minute open period to the media:   - The team started off with a full group stretch where George Gumbs Jr. led a portion, including the breakdown before players dispersed into position drills. DJ Lagway (sporting a compression sleeve on his left leg) did not take part in the group portion of stretching but did his own stationery stretching that was closely watched by the training staff.   - During individual drills, Lagway did throw passes to various players, including a beautiful deep ball to Eugene Wilson III. The sophomore quarterback seemed to have the same zip on his throws that everyone is so excited about.   - True Freshman Tramell Jones Jr looks the part of a future star SEC quarterback and has the same zip or velocity on his throws that is seen from Lagway. The development of the Jacksonville native will be crucial because he will not be able to depend on physical talent alone.   - Freshman wide receiver Dallas Wilson looks physically ready, and his route running/natural instincts were crisp during the open portion. Lagway connected with Wilson on a stop route.   - Defensively, the biggest surprise was seeing junior cornerback Aaron Gates fully participating in the practice and did not have a brace or sleeve on the knee in which he suffered a torn ACL last November. Redshirt freshman Jamroc Grimsley did have a knee brace on as he continues to work his way back from injury.   - The most notable non-participant was junior cornerback Dijon Johnson, The Tampa native dressed out but did not have pads or a helmet on. He was wearing a compression sleeve on his left leg and appeared to have a positive attitude in his interactions with teammates and coaches.   - A group of NFL teams (Raiders, Texans, Cowboys, Broncos, Patriots and Rams) sent scouts to the open practice and chatted with defensive line coach Gerald Chatman during the stretching period and the early portion of individual drills. Speculation would lead to believe that they were discussing senior defensive tackle Caleb Banks. The group of scouts gave some attention to other position groups such as safety and wide receiver.   - Other players that dressed but did not participate in stretching or drills included Kahleil Jackson and Muizz Tounkara. Players seen with a black non-contact jersey but participated included Grayson “Pup” Howard, TJ Dice, Enoch Wangoy, Treyaun Webb, Michai Boireau and Grimsley.   -

DJ Lagway (2) steps into a throw (Photo by Chris Spears) A few thoughts to jump start your Sunday morning:   Monday morning Billy Napier will have a chance to update the health of quarterback DJ Lagway, but if the stretching and warmup periods that were made available to the media Saturday are any indication, those who were holding their breath can exhale. Lagway wore a compression sleeve on his left leg but moved easily and apparently with no pain whatsoever. When he threw the ball there were no signs of leftover pain from shoulder surgery in the offseason.   Lagway’s quick, concise throwing motion makes the ball seem like it’s coming out of his ear, almost as if he’s throwing a dart. He was accurate, hitting his receivers in stride  with plenty of zip on the ball. His best throw was a deep shot down the East sideline to Tre Wilson. There was nothing at all in the way of accuracy, tight spirals or delivery that would indicate any carryover from a missed spring or shoulder issues.   Taking reps behind Lagway were Adrian Warner, who finished the Georgia game and started against Texas last year, Louisville transfer and former 5-star recruit (to Tennessee) Harrison Bailey and freshman Trammell Jones.   Back from injuries were D-linemen Caleb Banks and Jamari Lyons, STAR Aaron Gates and safety Bryce Thornton. In non-contact jerseys were linebacker Grayson “Pup” Howard, nose tackle Michai Boireau, running back Treyaun Webb, wide receivers Kahleil Jackson and Muizz Tounkara, O-linemen Tavaris Dice Jr. and Enoch Wangoy and corners Jameer Grimsley and Dijon Johnson.   ***   Billy Napier and his coaching staff have three weeks to get the Gators ready for a brutal September. On paper, this is the best Florida football team in years. From a talent standpoint, the Gators have what it takes to win every game on the schedule. Every team has weaknesses, but if you probe the UF roster there may be only a handful of teams in the country with fewer weaknesses than the Gators.   The Gators have the look of a team that can win 9-10 games but they could be derailed if they start believing the hype or suffer a rash of debilitating injuries. As well as Napier has re-stocked the roster from where it was when he took the UF coaching job, the Gators aren’t yet in the plug-and-play mode that you see at schools like Georgia and Ohio State, so Napier has to walk a very fine line in August. He has to push hard to build cohesion and get the team ready for as difficult a schedule as there is in the SEC. Push too hard and you risk injuries and mutiny in the locker room. Go too easy and the team won’t be prepared.   If Napier gets it right and there are no devastating injuries this is a team capable of contending not just for an SEC championships but for a national championship. The Gators are that close.   ELSEWHERE IN. THE SEC   Alabama: Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb says it isn’t feasible to name a starting quarterback. It’s a 3-way battle for the starting job among redshirt junior Ty Simpson, redshirt sophomore Austin Mack and true freshman Keelon Russell … Center Parker Brailsford and tight end Danny Lewis missed Saturday’s practice to participate in graduatlion ceremonies.   Arkansas: Strength coach Ben Sowders revealed earlier in the week that quarterback Taylen Green played through a knee injury the final seven games of the 2024 season. During Green’s recovery he added 10 pounds of muscle. A year ago, Green threw for 3,154 yards and 15 touchdowns while running for 602 and eight TDs … D-lineman Donovan Whitten, O-lineman Aaron Smith and long snapper Zach Haber have been awarded scholarships.   Auburn:  Many media outlets proclaim this is a make or break year for HBC Hugh Freeze. On a Birmingham radio show Friday, Auburn AD John Cohen said three factors will determine if Freeze will be around another year after 2025. Cohen said,   “Number one, the coach, no matter what happens, has to still have the ear of the locker room. Number two, kids have to get better. You have to point to individual kids getting better. Because if individual kids get better, you’re going to have a better football team. And then, three, are you recruiting at a high level? ”   Georgia: Offensive lineman Jahzare Jackson is still with the team even though he was arrested in July for felony possession of marijuana. HBC Kirby Smart says Jackson is being disciplined internally. Jackson is 6-10 and 348 pounds. Per Saturday Down South he has not played competitive football since he was in middle school .,. Illinois transfer running back Josh McCray was noticeably absent when Georgia held its first full day of practice.   Kentucky: AD Mitch Barnhart expects the Southeastern Conference to decide whether to stick with an 8-game league schedule or expand to nine when all the ADs meet later in August. Barnhart said that when making the decision, “ There’s an economic component to it, as it relates to television, for sure. I think that decision obviously has to come pretty quickly. We’ve got athletic directors meetings in August. There’s probably a pretty good chance that’s on the docket and then some decision comes out of that” … Incarnate Word transfer QB Zach Calzada made what were called several highlight reel plays while working with the first team offense Saturday.   LSU: Apparently redshirt sophomore Tyree Adams (6-7, 310) has solidified his hold on the left tackle position. Right now, the LSU O-line looks like LT Adams; LG DJ Chester; C Braelin Moore; RG Josh Thompson; RT Weston Davis … Wide receiver Aaron Anderson missed Saturday’s practice. HBC Brian Kelly said they’re trying to keep Anderson healthy.   Mississippi State: Redshirt freshman Luke Work has been taking the snaps as the No. 1 left tackle.   Missouri: Apparently Penn State transfer Beau Pribula isn’t a lock to be the starting QB. HBC Eli Drinkwitz includes Sam Horn and freshman Matt Zollers in the mix for the top job. “They’ve all done some really good things and some really dumb things,” Drinkwitz said of his three QBs after Saturday’s practice.   Oklahoma: Sophomore CB Eli Bowen isn’t available to practice. He missed all of spring camp after starting seven games last season. Bowen had 26 tackles, one interception and four pass breakups a season ago.   Ole Miss: Missouri State (D1AA) transfer Tahj Chambers has added 20 pounds of muscle (to 235) since January and is looking like he will be in the mix for a starting job. Chambers had 88 tackles last season at Missouri State.   South Carolina: Running back Rahsul Faison has been cleared to practice but still no words from the NCAA if he will be eligible for the 2025 season. Faison, who transferred to South Carolina from Utah State, gained 1,109 yards and scored eight touchdowns last season at USU. He enrolled at Marshall in 2019 and also spent three years playing juco ball before spending two years at Utah State.   Tennessee: Josh Heupel says there is no timetable for the return of corner Jermod McCoy, who is rehabbing an ACL torn early in the offseason. Heupel says McCoy is making solid progress in his rehab but wouldn’t specify an anticipated date for his return. As a sophomore a year ago McCoy was in on 44 tackles with nine pass breakups.     Texas: Wide receiver Ryan Wingo and right guard DJ Campbell both missed practice Saturday for “personal reasons.”   Texas A&M: Defensive back Dalton Brooks, who had 59 tackles with one sack, three pass breakups and an interception, was arrested for a misdemeanor charge involving a car crash … Right now the Aggie O-line is LT Trey Zuhn; LG Chase Bisontis; C Mark Nabou; RG Ar’maj Reed-Adams; RT Demetrious Crownover.   Vanderbilt: Martel Hight returns at corner and the No. 1 punt returner, but he will also line up at wide receiver.   ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT   I keep waking up early in the morning thinking that there is still such a thing as the Pac-12, that the Big Ten didn’t do something goofy like expand to add Washington, Oregon, Southern Cal and UCLA and the ACC didn’t go totally bonkers by adding Stanford, California and SMU. I keep wondering why is it the Big 12 now stretches from Arizona to West Virginia and all the way down to Orlando.   Then my head clears and I realize I was only dreaming that adults are in charge of college football.   We have never had a time like the present when strong leadership is necessary to save college sports from the tug-of-war that is going on between the inept NCAA and the networks. The NCAA is run by academics who are clueless about the business end of college sports. The networks, and in particular, ESPN, believe that if enough money is thrown around they will wrestle away control of college sports. As much as I hate the idea of the academics in charge of college sports, I hate even more that ESPN will gain more control. Football is already at the mercy of ESPN, which controls most of the Saturday viewing along with the College Football Playoff.   I keep waiting for someone or some organization to come forward with new, bold ideas that can save college sports from the weight of the NCAA bureaucracy and the control freaks at ESPN. There are problems that need solving now, but neither the NCAA nor ESPN seems to have the wherewithal to provide practical solutions.

Excitement Builds for Fall Practice Fall practice kicks off this Tuesday for the Florida Gators. They are set to open the season against Long Island University at The Swamp in just 34 days. On paper, there’s every reason to feel optimistic. The Gators wrapped up last season with four straight wins, giving them the longest winning streak of any Southeastern Conference team heading into 2025. This roster is the best Billy Napier has had since he arrived in Gainesville in December 2022. He has the depth and talent to turn those nail-biting close games into victories. After all, the Gators are 19-19 in Napier’s three seasons, just a few plays away from a staggering 29-9 record. Rebuilding for Success More often than not, the difference in those close losses has been personnel—or the lack thereof. Napier has rebuilt this program from the ground up. This might be the most talented roster top to bottom since Tim Tebow’s final season in 2009. With a mix of seasoned players and promising newcomers, the Gators are ready to make a statement this year. A Closer Look at the 2025 Schedule Let’s break down Florida’s 2025 schedule game by game. I believe they will at least improve on last year’s regular season performance. Are the Gators good enough to reach nine wins? How about ten or more? Long Island University The Sharks represent Long Island University, with campuses in Brooklyn and Brookville. Last year, they finished 4-8 but were just a few bad breaks away from an 8-4 record. Their coach, Ron Cooper, has experience as a head coach at Louisville and as an assistant under Steve Spurrier at South Carolina. The Sharks are coming to Gainesville for a paycheck. I expect them to take a beating early, which could set a negative tone for their season. WIN South Florida Game two is against the Bulls, who are likely to start the season 0-3. The Gators are sandwiched between Boise State and Miami. If South Florida can survive these tough matchups without serious injuries, they might finish well in the American Athletic Conference. Their best player, quarterback Byrum Brown, is impressive when healthy. However, last year, the Bulls ranked fifth in the AAC for offense but struggled defensively, finishing 12th out of 14 teams. I don’t see them stopping Florida’s passing game. WIN At LSU In the Battle for Death Valley, the Gators will face a tough opponent. LSU’s Tigers will lose to Clemson’s Tigers in their opener, which doesn’t bode well for them. With four new offensive linemen and a shaky running game, they’ll face challenges. If Florida can make life difficult for Garrett Nussmeier, as they did last year, they have a shot. Getting ahead early and controlling the clock with the running game will be key. Playing at night in Baton Rouge is a tough obstacle, but it’s not insurmountable. 50/50 At Miami Predictions for Miami are high, with Lindy’s and Athlon placing them in the top 10, while Phil Steele has them at No. 14. They open against Notre Dame and return only seven starters, including a transfer QB, Carson Beck, recovering from elbow surgery. The game is in Miami, where the crowd will likely be split 50/50 between Gators and Hurricanes fans. Miami has spent heavily in the transfer portal, including $4 million for Beck. With so many new faces, Florida’s toughness and physicality should prevail. WIN Texas Get ready for a pricey ticket if you haven’t already secured yours. This will be Texas’s toughest road game since joining the SEC. It’s billed as Arch Manning vs. DJ Lagway, but the Gators must win in the trenches. Texas will start four newbies on both the offensive and defensive lines. If Florida can take an early lead, they’ll force the Longhorns to rely on their passing game. They might just discover why opposing quarterbacks struggle to hear after a visit to The Swamp. 50/50 At Texas A&M This could be Florida’s toughest game of the season. It comes right after the Texas matchup and is at Kyle Field. The Aggies will have faced Auburn and Mississippi State before this game. Florida’s previous road games at LSU and Miami should prepare them for this challenging environment. The key will be to stop the run and force Marcel Reed to win through the air. Texas A&M struggled defensively last year, giving up 71 pass plays of 20 or more yards. If Florida can protect Lagway, they should win, but they need to get ahead early. 50/50 Mississippi State Last year, the Bulldogs ran for 240 yards and passed for another 240 against the Gators. That won’t happen again. Mississippi State is in for a long year, returning only one starter in their defensive front seven. They finished dead last in sacks and rushing defense last season. Expect a rough day for the Bulldogs at The Swamp, with Florida’s wide receivers having a field day. WIN Georgia (in Jacksonville) Georgia will start the season in the AP top five for good reason: Kirby Smart is arguably the best coach in the SEC, and Georgia consistently out-recruits everyone. Their schedule is favorable, with Alabama, Texas, and Ole Miss all at home. However, if Lagway stays healthy, the Gators have a shot at winning this year. The Poodles always play tough in Jacksonville, making this a critical matchup. 50/50 At Kentucky Not long ago, Mark Stoops was hailed as one of the top three coaches in the SEC. Winning ten games at Kentucky can change perceptions. However, the Wildcats lack a decent quarterback, and their two best offensive weapons have transferred out. Their offensive line is among the weakest in the SEC, even with the addition of former Gator Josh Braun. This game is set up for Jadan Baugh and Ja’Kobi Jackson to shine while Jake Slaughter and Austin Barber dominate on the O-line. WIN At Ole Miss Lane Kiffin continues to dive into the transfer portal, bringing in 30 players a year. This year, Ole Miss’s defense looks formidable, with linebacker Suntarine Perkins potentially being the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. For Florida, pass protection will be crucial, especially against WR Cayden Lee’s deep routes. This won’t be an easy game, but after facing tough opponents like LSU and Texas A&M, the Gators should be ready. Ole Miss allowed 67 pass plays of 20 or more yards last year, so exploiting those deep crossing routes will be key. WIN Tennessee Bad things tend to happen to the Vols in The Swamp. They haven’t won in Gainesville since 2005, and they’re 0-10 since then. Remember Will Grier’s 63-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Callaway for a thrilling 28-27 win in 2015? Or the Heave to Cleve in 2017? The Vols will arrive in Gainesville with a few wins under their belt, thanks to a weak schedule. This game will likely have Vol fans stopping for gourmet curly fries on their way home, discussing the future of their head coach. WIN Florida State The Seminoles won’t be as bad as last year’s 2-10 disaster after going 13-1 in 2023. They’ve loaded up in the portal, but it won’t make them contenders for the Atlantic Coast Conference title. They return zero starters on offense and only three on defense. If they were in the SEC, they’d be in serious trouble. WIN Summary: A Tough Road Ahead This schedule is tough, but finally, Billy Napier has an SEC-capable roster. In the SEC, every team has 22 serious players. Teams with 33 serious players win four to seven games. Teams with 44 can win eight to ten. To challenge for the SEC title, you need more than 44. We know the Gators have 44 serious players. The real question is whether they have around 50 SEC-caliber players. Only time will tell. I believe the Gators will avoid upsets and win one or two of the 50-50 games. If they navigate the road games against LSU and Miami successfully, they’ll have a legitimate shot at making it to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game and an at-large playoff berth. However, injuries could change everything. If the Gators stay healthy, they’ll be a formidable opponent. If injuries hit hard, another 7-5 season could be on the horizon. But if they remain fit, the Gators will be a team that nobody wants to face. Let’s go, Gators!