Florida Football keeps Billy Gonzales on staff for 2025

Florida Football has ensured continuity in their wide receivers room with a reported contract extension for coach Billy Gonzales, according to Zach Abolverdi of Gators Online.

Gonzales is in his third go around with the Gators and has the most Power Four experience among Napier's assistant coaches.

In his most recent stint, he has benefitted from the transfer portal and turned Ricky Pearsall, who flourished in 2023 with 65 receptions and 965 yards, into a first-round NFL draft selection. Chimire Dike and Elijhah Badger also had great seasons in 2024 after grabbing both from the portal.

Gonzales had two big recruiting wins in the class of 2025, with five-stars Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III committing to the Gators.

Gonzales' legacy includes coaching 18 NFL-drafted receivers, including four first-round picks.

Gonzales was one of six assistant coaches whose contracts expired in January. He is the second of those six to have it made publically known their contract has been extended, with running backs coach Jabbar Juluke being the other.

The wide receiver room in 2025 will be a wildcard for the Gators. In addition to Wilson and Brown, Florida will most likely look to Eugene Wilson, Aidan Mizell, and transfer J. Michael Sturdivant as their main trio to start the season. Wilson is coming off season-ending hip surgery, Mizell has 227 yards receiving in two seasons, and Sturdivant has flashes on film but did not have a good statistical year in 2024 with UCLA.

Florida also has Tank Hawkins and TJ Abrams returning in addition to

Naeshaun Montgomery and Muizz Tounkara joining as true freshmen in 2025.