It's no secret that quarterback is the most important position in football. Having an elite signal caller can compensate for a lack of talent elsewhere and can take a good team to a great one.
For the first time since Anthony Richardson, it's safe to say Florida has an elite quarterback. DJ Lagway figures to be squarely in the running for the top QB in the SEC, and potentially the country, meaning Gator fans will have the pleasure of seeing some elite quarterback matchups in 2025.
Here are the five quarterback matchups Florida fans should have circled on their schedule.
1.) Arch Manning, Texas
The next elite quarterback of the Manning lineage enters his redshirt sophomore season with plenty of hype as the Longhorns' starter, and for good reason. Manning was the top high school recruit in the class of 2023 and accrued 939 passing yards and a 9:2 TD:INT as well as 108 rushing yards and four rushing scores last season as Quinn Ewers' understudy.
Ewers, somewhat questionably, entered his name in the 2025 NFL Draft, leaving the keys to the program in the hands of Manning, who shined in limited action as a redshirt sophomore. Manning started two games for Texas, throwing for 258 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions against UL-Monroe in his first career start before completing 26-of-31 passes for 325 yards and three total scores (two passing, one rushing) in a win over Mississippi State.
He's a constant threat to run and is capable of making plays outside of the pocket, all while possessing excellent arm talent -- a complete skillset that should put him in contention for best quarterback in the country.