DJ Lagway's health and wide receiver volatility highlight key concerns for Florida Gators entering 2025 season

The Florida Gators are in a prime position to make a huge impact this upcoming season. Head coach Billy Napier is entering his fourth and most important season in 2025. The Gators desperately need to take a step forward, as his first two full recruiting classes are ready to make a major impact. The idea […]

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Jul 16, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida State Gators quarterback DJ Lagway answers questions from the media during the SEC Media Days at Omni Atlanta Hotel.
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The Florida Gators are in a prime position to make a huge impact this upcoming season.

Head coach Billy Napier is entering his fourth and most important season in 2025. The Gators desperately need to take a step forward, as his first two full recruiting classes are ready to make a major impact. The idea of hiring Napier was always about making an impact in the future after building up a really good infrastructure.

Despite all of that, the wins haven't been there with a 19-19 record over three seasons, including 1-1 in bowl games. If they want to take their team to the next level, they will need to ensure their biggest concerns don't hinder them from achieving that goal.

DJ Lagway staying healthy

Last season, the Gators were 6-0 in games that DJ Lagway started and finished. The one start they lost was against the Georgia Bulldogs, where they had the lead at the end of the first half and still had a chance to win after tying the game in the fourth quarter.

Lagway missing all of spring practice to rehab a reported "shoulder" injury that was later revealed as a hernia isn't a great thing for the Gators, but it ended up being reality. The good news is that Lagway started throwing pretty quickly after spring practice ended and it continued throughout the entire summer. Keeping him healthy is going to be the biggest factor to the Gators' success.

Uncertainty at wide receiver

This is arguably the most intriguing group on the roster. While many questions remain across the board, the potential of this group is boundless. The questions being answered will be the biggest factor in the success of both the group and the offense.

Trey Wilson III was emerging as a star player last year before multiple injuries ended his season. His health, which was also an issue as a true freshman is the biggest thing. A healthy Wilson will be huge to their success.

Along with Wilson, there are some really intriguing pieces for the Gators. J. Michael Sturdivant has a lot of talent, but he has yet to break out. Khaleil Jackson is an intriguing piece as well as Aidan Mizell, but it's the true freshman weapons in Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III that could be a major factor this season, especially Wilson. He set spring game records with 10 catches for 195 yards, while also scoring two touchdowns. Getting heavy production from this group will be key to the success of the team.

Cornerback depth

This is a position that the Gators have always made a priority when it comes to recruiting. They have been in the running for the title of DBU in the past, but the last couple of seasons, they haven't had that guy for a few years.

This season, the Gators have a couple of true freshmen likely on the two deep in safety Drake Stubbs and cornerback Ben Hanks. They do return some production from last year in senior cornerback Devin Moore (278 snaps in 2024), junior cornerback Dijon Johnson (550 snaps), and safety Bryce Thornton (471 snaps). With the continuity of this roster, the Gators could see their defense take a step forward.

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