To make the playoffs in 2025, the Florida Gators will need to be one of the 12 best teams in college football. Most team rankings in the preseason have Florida hovering around that mark and envision Florida as a contender to break through this season.
But despite all the hype, glitz, and glamor the Gators have carried this offseason, CBS Sports isn't feeling the love as much and barely has Napier as one of the top 12 coaches within the SEC.
Billy Napier ranked 11th in the SEC by CBS
CBS Sports put out their "SEC coach rankings" for 2025. Last year, Napier entered the season ranked 13th in the SEC by CBS, but given all the positive momentum from the four-game winning streak, most would have thought Napier would at least crack the top half of the SEC.
But coming in at 11th in the SEC and 45th nationally among strictly head coaches is Napier.
Of Napier, they said:
"Napier slashed his way through what many considered the toughest schedule in college football history last fall and lived to fight another day with the Gators. And part of the reason for optimism under his tutelage is the emergence of D.J. Lagway at quarterback, a former elite recruit that Napier managed to hold onto before unleashing as a freshman in 2024. Lagway's the singlemost important player for the former Louisiana coach and likely determines whether whether his tenure will be successful or not."
Notable about this list is that Napier is behind Mark Stoops of Kentucky, Shane Beamer of South Carolina, and Eli Drinkwitz of Missouri.
As CBS points out, which doesn't take an expert to figure out, DJ Lagway is a very important player in deciding the fate of Napier. But as has also been pointed out, Florida's roster feels as strong as it has ever been in the Billy Napier Era.
But after one raises an eyebrow at Napier still being this low, one is reminded that Napier is fortunate to still be in Gainesville at all.
For Napier specifically, what he has to prove in 2025 is that he can get a consistent week-to-week effort out of his roster. While Florida's roster will be strong in 2025, it has also not been as weak as some would claim in the previous three seasons.
Napier finds himself still in the bottom half because he has been prone to beating Texas A&M and South Carolina, only to lose to Vanderbilt. Or demolish Tennessee, only to get steamrolled by Kentucky. Or even before ripping off the four-game winning streak, having one of the most lifeless performances in recent Florida history against Texas.
If Florida can keep the same level of consistency all year, then Napier will get the last laugh. If Florida is about to embark on another roller coaster, then Napier won't even be on the CBS list in 2026.