Football Thoughts on this Florida team......
- Thread starter Gator Fever
- Start date
Do you have a source? He's supposedly doing a signing ceremony at 5 pm and 247Sports has him down to LSU or Florida, with an FSU insider saying he's signing with the Gators.
5-star OL commit Solomon Thomas receives prediction to arch-rival Gators
Five-star offensive lineman commit Solomon Thomas trending to the Gators.
Sort of. Not sure how reliable he is, but I've got a buddy of mine that coaches at Raines. He's been wrong before...Do you have a source? He's supposedly doing a signing ceremony at 5 pm and 247Sports has him down to LSU or Florida, with an FSU insider saying he's signing with the Gators.
5-star OL commit Solomon Thomas receives prediction to arch-rival Gators
Five-star offensive lineman commit Solomon Thomas trending to the Gators.chopchat.com
We shall see what he does. Raines is a powerhouse team this year and we need a big time offensive lineman. Would be a HUGE get for us.
It's a decent class for what was shaping up to be a nightmare. But it's still not good enough to compete for titles. Napier will need to hit big in the portal.
The Gators last played in the ReliaQuest Bowl back in 2016 when it was still known as the Outback Bowl. They are now being projected to return there to play the Meat-Chickens (Mich).
The official bowl announcements will come on Sunday, Dec. 8 during the selection show on ESPN. The show will air from noon to 4 p.m.
The official bowl announcements will come on Sunday, Dec. 8 during the selection show on ESPN. The show will air from noon to 4 p.m.
Some people think Roberts might be leaving. If so I hope Armstrong learned something as it sounds like Roberts went in the booth calling the defense when we started playing differently after the first few games.
Improvements in 'coming off the edges' looks to be a near sure thing in 2025.
With their size, strength, and speed on their side, these two FNG's should immediately compete for snaps.
Kansas 6A state champion in shot put and discus as a junior, and he's a wrestler.
With these 3 guys added to the improving DL:
With their size, strength, and speed on their side, these two FNG's should immediately compete for snaps.
#8 SDE Jalen Wiggins 6-5 270 ****
3 Yr HS Career - 253 Tkls, 88 TFL, 44 Sacks#7 WDE Jaden Woods 6-3 240 ****
So/Jr 2022-23 Stats - 122 Tkls, 20.5 TFL, 13 Sacks, 12 QBH, 5 FF, 2 FRKansas 6A state champion in shot put and discus as a junior, and he's a wrestler.
With these 3 guys added to the improving DL:
#28 DT Joseph Mbatchou 6-4.5 275 ****
#35 DT Jeramiah McCloud 6-3 280 ****
#52 NT Stephon Shivers 6-4.5 365 ***
Is Roberts fully taking over? Is another DC going to be hired if this happens? Roberts started calling the defense from the box after a few games last season. I guess those reports that Roberts was probably leaving might not be right after all.
Here's an article from 247Sports:
I remember people thinking that also but most people for a while have said our change on defense started when Roberts went up in the box and that he was sending the calls to Austin on the field. My guess would be that is likely to be correct if Austin is now heading to smaller program Houston. Kind of interesting that Roberts was rumored to be leaving before this came out though.
Yeah sounds like Roberts was the guy who got the defense rolling and Austin is moving on.
In the offseason, Florida opted to bring in Ron Roberts by way of Auburn to serve as the team's executive head coach of the defense, inside linebackers coach and as its co-defensive coordinator, effectively minimizing Armstrong's duties.
With Armstrong departing the program, the Gators will presumably amplify Roberts' responsibilities in 2025. Roberts is under contract until Jan. 31, 2026, though the Gators will be tasked with bringing in another defensive assistant coach on the staff in the weeks ahead, one who could share the defensive coordinator role with the veteran Roberts.
With Armstrong departing the program, the Gators will presumably amplify Roberts' responsibilities in 2025. Roberts is under contract until Jan. 31, 2026, though the Gators will be tasked with bringing in another defensive assistant coach on the staff in the weeks ahead, one who could share the defensive coordinator role with the veteran Roberts.
The portal is rapidly becoming free agency lite. The best teams will use the NFL model, building the foundation through recruiting (draft) and using the portal (free agency) to fill experience (and a few talent) gaps and provide depth.
Are we to that point yet? Not quite. We have a few too many gaps to fill. But we are trending in the right direction. If we get the right 4-5 portal guys to fill those weaker areas, and a few more for depth, I'll feel pretty good about next year's talent. Coaching, well, still in the "show me" phase. But I will say this about Napier. We have had pretty bad Olines for a while. He might have limited his options to minimize that issue. I'd like to see his play calling when he is confident about the blocking. If it still sucks, well, that will be a discussion.
If that's the case, it looks like he told Billy he wants to be the sole DC or he will look around, and Billy agreed to make him "the guy". If that's the case, I expect the announcement that he's being promoted to come within a week. You don't want it to be too quick, or it becomes obvious the other guy got pushed out. You don't want to be overt about it, even if people suspect it to be so.
Austin Armstrong enters the transfer portal
Brandon Spikes said Charlie Strong was at bowl prep practice
Florida get's a huge break from their 2024 #1 SoS.
For 2025, they drop all the way down to the #3 SoS...... 🙄
https://247sports.com/college/florida/longformarticle/sec-football-schedules-in-2025-ranked-from-easiest-to-toughest-242317561/#2566777
For 2025, they drop all the way down to the #3 SoS...... 🙄
https://247sports.com/college/florida/longformarticle/sec-football-schedules-in-2025-ranked-from-easiest-to-toughest-242317561/#2566777
Yep, and unlike AR-15's cannon, it's usually pretty accurate....
DJ Lagway wraps up his true freshman campaign by taking home the Gasparilla Bowl MVP with a 33-8 win. Lagway completed 22 of 35 passes (63%) for 305 yards - which is a Gasparilla Bowl record. His number of passes and completions are both career highs. His final passing yards total are his best against an FBS opponent. As a starter this season, has a 6-1 record. It can be argued that if he hadn’t suffered a hamstring injury against Georgia, the Gators might have won that game. The 8-5 finish to the season is a surprise to most and would have been unlikely IMO with someone else as the full season starter.....
TAMPA, Fla.-- When DJ Lagway first took the reins of the Florida Gators' offense as a true freshman quarterback, HC Billy Napier and OC Russ Callaway thought they would have to limit calls and simplify the offense due to the lack of experience.
>>> Instead, the 5-star exceeded expectations and hasn't looked back since.
"When he got out there and when he had his moment, he not only excelled, he exceeded our expectations not just from a physical standpoint, but from a mental standpoint." (tolja)
2023 Mertz 5-6
2024 Mertz 2-3
Total Mertz 7-9
"You are what your record says you are." -- Bill Parcells
Lagway 6-1 and Bowl MVP
==========
Looking forward to next season....
Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway is standing out as a Heisman Trophy favorite for 2025. BetOnline released its Heisman odds, and Lagway has the 5th-best odds at +1100. This isn’t the first instance of Lagway entering the Heisman chatter. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach included Lagway in his early Heisman discussion.
The players ahead of him are Texas quarterback Arch Manning (+600), LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (+800), Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer (+900) and Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (+1000).
JMOHO, but that 5th place might be because of the Gator's OC/System/Play Calling???
TAMPA, Fla.-- When DJ Lagway first took the reins of the Florida Gators' offense as a true freshman quarterback, HC Billy Napier and OC Russ Callaway thought they would have to limit calls and simplify the offense due to the lack of experience.
>>> Instead, the 5-star exceeded expectations and hasn't looked back since.
"When he got out there and when he had his moment, he not only excelled, he exceeded our expectations not just from a physical standpoint, but from a mental standpoint." (tolja)
2023 Mertz 5-6
2024 Mertz 2-3
Total Mertz 7-9
"You are what your record says you are." -- Bill Parcells
Lagway 6-1 and Bowl MVP
==========
Looking forward to next season....
Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway is standing out as a Heisman Trophy favorite for 2025. BetOnline released its Heisman odds, and Lagway has the 5th-best odds at +1100. This isn’t the first instance of Lagway entering the Heisman chatter. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach included Lagway in his early Heisman discussion.
The players ahead of him are Texas quarterback Arch Manning (+600), LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (+800), Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer (+900) and Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (+1000).
JMOHO, but that 5th place might be because of the Gator's OC/System/Play Calling???
Gasparilla Bowl stats for receivers returning for 2025:
WR Aidan Mizell 6-1.5 186 rsFr - Bowl = 4 for 50 Yds, L-29
He has played in 10 games with 3 starts in the last 5 games.
Season 13 catches for 152 yards, 11.7 Ave with 2 TD's.
In limited playing time, he is one of only 7 SEC WR's to have two 41-yard plus TD catches.
WR TJ 'Tank' Adams 5-10 197 Fr - 1 for 31 Yds
He has only been allowed to play in 4 games this season, with just 1 reception for 3 yards
TE Tony Livingston 6-4.75 254 So - 4 for 58 Yds, 1 TD, L-24
TE Hayden Hansen 6-7.75 267 rsSo - 2 for 18 Yds, L-10
RB Ja'Kobi Jackson 5-10.5 209 rsJr - 2 for 29 Yds, L-21
RB Jadan Baugh 6-0.75 227 Fr - 1 for 6 Yds
=====
The full 2025 roster looks deep to me for receivers.
A quality add or two and they should be good for receivers.
To me, they leaned more to class/age/experience than to the talent levels.
Not giving the Fr & rsFr/So enough coaching time or playing time.
"Scared Money Don't Make Money"
WR Aidan Mizell 6-1.5 186 rsFr - Bowl = 4 for 50 Yds, L-29
He has played in 10 games with 3 starts in the last 5 games.
Season 13 catches for 152 yards, 11.7 Ave with 2 TD's.
In limited playing time, he is one of only 7 SEC WR's to have two 41-yard plus TD catches.
WR TJ 'Tank' Adams 5-10 197 Fr - 1 for 31 Yds
He has only been allowed to play in 4 games this season, with just 1 reception for 3 yards
TE Tony Livingston 6-4.75 254 So - 4 for 58 Yds, 1 TD, L-24
TE Hayden Hansen 6-7.75 267 rsSo - 2 for 18 Yds, L-10
RB Ja'Kobi Jackson 5-10.5 209 rsJr - 2 for 29 Yds, L-21
RB Jadan Baugh 6-0.75 227 Fr - 1 for 6 Yds
=====
The full 2025 roster looks deep to me for receivers.
A quality add or two and they should be good for receivers.
To me, they leaned more to class/age/experience than to the talent levels.
Not giving the Fr & rsFr/So enough coaching time or playing time.
"Scared Money Don't Make Money"
I am glad he threw those 2 bad picks so he can work on not forcing things when teams do that. I guess he had an issue with it during the season the few times teams did that. Now that it stuck out in the bowl game he can make changes.
Keeping this in mind fever, his mobility (pulled hammy vs UG) and therefore his options, have been hampered since.
Al.so, for the bowl game they were missing 2 starters on the OL causing the pocket to collapse a few times.
He 'forced' some throws that he normally wouldn't have, because he was prevented from running the ball.
But yes, he himself said that he's looking forward to working and improving as a QB in all phases of the game.
115 of 192 59.9% for 1,915 Yds, 12 TD's, 9 Ints, L-85 - 9.97/Att - 16.65/Comp
DJ ranked 1st in FBS in completion% (63.2%) on passes thrown over 20 yards through the air, vs a Top 5 SoS.
Not throwing 'dink & dunk junk' gets you a lower completion% and a chance for more Ints/sacks.
Trivia -- Gasparilla Bowl Records Set in 2024:
Most Passing Yards, (305 by MVP Lagway).
Fewest total points scored in the 1st half, (6).
Most combined Interceptions, (5).
Most Made FG's, (4 Smack).
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DJ's future passing targets list,,, so far.
Kahliell Jackson 6-3 215 rsSr (injured out in 2024)
Marcus Burke 6-3.75 197 rsSr
Taylor Spierto 6-0 207 rsSr - Former WO, Cum Laude Economics Grad
J. Michael Sturdivant 6-3 205 Sr - Cal/UCLA xfer-in
Eugene Wilson III 5-10 183 rsSo (injured out in 2024)
Aidan Mizell 6-1.5 186 rsSo - 10.65/100M - 46.99/400M
'Tank' Hawkins 5-9.5 176 So - 10.37/100M - 6.70/60M
TJ Abrams 5-10 197 rsFr
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Alex Gonzalez 5-10.75 196 rsJr - Ft. Myers, FL - PWO
Jackson Wade 5-11 178 rsSo - Dallas, GA - PWO
Brian Green Jr 6-0 194 rsSo - Jacksonville, FL - PWO
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Zak Sedaros 5-10.25 180 rsJr - Melbourne, FL - WO, also UF T&F Team
Jaden Edgecombe 5-8 182 rsSo - Cocoa, FL - WO
DeBraun Hampton 5-10 179 rsFr - Willis, TX - WO (Lagway teammate)
David Schmidt 5-9 185 rsFr - Gainesville, FL - WO
Newbees:
WR-x J. Michael Sturdivant 6-3 205 Sr **** - Highland Village, TX - Cal/UCLA xfer-in
2024 - 22 for 315 Yds, 14.3 Ave, 2 TD's.
Career - 123 for 1,667 Yds, 13.5 Ave, 13 TD's
https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...r-in-portal-j-michael-sturdivant/77100894007/
==========
2025 RB's:
Ja'Kobi Jackson
Treyaun Webb
Jadan Baugh
KD Daniels
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#19 RB Waltez Clark 6-1 194 **** - Tampa, FL
#27 RB Byron Louis 5-11 200 *** - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
#71 RB Chad Gasper 5-10 200 Fr *** - Fulshear,TX
==========
2025 TE's
Hayden Hansen
Tony Livingston
Amir Jackson
Gavin Hill
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#40 TE Micah Jones 6-5 245 Fr *** - Madison, MS
Kahliell Jackson 6-3 215 rsSr (injured out in 2024)
Marcus Burke 6-3.75 197 rsSr
Taylor Spierto 6-0 207 rsSr - Former WO, Cum Laude Economics Grad
J. Michael Sturdivant 6-3 205 Sr - Cal/UCLA xfer-in
Eugene Wilson III 5-10 183 rsSo (injured out in 2024)
Aidan Mizell 6-1.5 186 rsSo - 10.65/100M - 46.99/400M
'Tank' Hawkins 5-9.5 176 So - 10.37/100M - 6.70/60M
TJ Abrams 5-10 197 rsFr
-----
Alex Gonzalez 5-10.75 196 rsJr - Ft. Myers, FL - PWO
Jackson Wade 5-11 178 rsSo - Dallas, GA - PWO
Brian Green Jr 6-0 194 rsSo - Jacksonville, FL - PWO
-----
Zak Sedaros 5-10.25 180 rsJr - Melbourne, FL - WO, also UF T&F Team
Jaden Edgecombe 5-8 182 rsSo - Cocoa, FL - WO
DeBraun Hampton 5-10 179 rsFr - Willis, TX - WO (Lagway teammate)
David Schmidt 5-9 185 rsFr - Gainesville, FL - WO
Newbees:
#6 WR Vernell Brown III 5-11 170 Fr **** - Orlando, FL
#54 WR Naeshaun Montgomery 6-1 165 Fr *** - Miami, F
#71 WR Muizz Tounkara 6-3.5 195 Fr ***- Clear Springs, TX
WR-x J. Michael Sturdivant 6-3 205 Sr **** - Highland Village, TX - Cal/UCLA xfer-in
2024 - 22 for 315 Yds, 14.3 Ave, 2 TD's.
Career - 123 for 1,667 Yds, 13.5 Ave, 13 TD's
https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...r-in-portal-j-michael-sturdivant/77100894007/
==========
2025 RB's:
Ja'Kobi Jackson
Treyaun Webb
Jadan Baugh
KD Daniels
-----
#19 RB Waltez Clark 6-1 194 **** - Tampa, FL
#27 RB Byron Louis 5-11 200 *** - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
#71 RB Chad Gasper 5-10 200 Fr *** - Fulshear,TX
==========
2025 TE's
Hayden Hansen
Tony Livingston
Amir Jackson
Gavin Hill
-----
#40 TE Micah Jones 6-5 245 Fr *** - Madison, MS
DJ throws a wonderful deep ball, but he has vision and accuracy issues on the short to medium stuff. Had this issue prior to the hammy. Both LSU and Ole Miss dropped easy interceptions. He needs to work on that this offseason, but I'm confident he knows that. But my hope is that our D line continues with the amazing improvement they had last half of the season. If our dline had played like that early in the season would have made a huge difference vs miami and am.
