The Florida Gators are currently in the middle of a very rough start to the 2025 season, when they were predicted to be one of the dark horse teams in college football this season. A loss to USF and now LSU has given the Gators a 1-2 record as they continue what is looking like one of the toughest schedules going forward.
The Gators need some firepower in their lineup that just isn't there right now. Maybe they could have had some had they not let players go into the transfer portal last season, like Jack Pyburn. Pyburn left the Gators last season and transferred to LSU, and has really carved out a big role on the defense, and his team is still in the hunt for the College Football Playoff, while the Gators are quickly falling out of the running.
The loss of Pyburn really hurt the Gators in their loss ot LSU this past weekend. So, if the loss of Pyburn has been so bad, what other guys did the Gators lose that Billy Napier is really wishing were still in the building?
DL D'Antre Robinson: UNC
The loss of D'Antre Robinson to UNC was bigger than most thought, as he added depth to the defensive line. When he chose to transfer, the Gators only had Caleb Banks on the outside as the only other tackle on the roster. Obviously, the Gators were able to bring in more players, but the firepower just isn't there.
In three games with UNC, Robinson has a total of 11 tackles, and five solo tackles. The Florida Gators could use that veteran presence on their defensive line, but unfortunately, it just isn't there.
WR Marcus Burke: UCF
Marcus Burke was never the WR1 in Gainesville, but towards the end of the 2024 season, after coming back from injury, he began to see more and more targets. That was also the time that the Gators started to make a run at the end of the season.
However, Burke would end up transferring to a school just a little further south to join Scott Frost and the UCF Knights. While Burke only played in one of UCF's two games this season, he was the leading receiver for the Knights in their win over Jacksonville State.
With DJ Lagway struggling right now, especially after throwing five interceptions against LSU, having a trusty receiver like Burke right now would be good.
DE T.J. Searcy: Texas A&M
T.J. Searcy is another player the Gators will see again in a different uniform later this season. Just like Robinson, Searcy plays on the defensive line, a line that is just not getting enough pressure on the quarterback right now.
With the Aggies, Searcy has also carved out a spot with his new team and is playing well. By the time Texas A&M and Florida meet in mid-October, he could be a real problem for the Gators to handle.