The Florida Gators are entering their first bye week with a record of 1-3 and a feeling that the season is over before it even started.
But if you are more of the optimistic type, here are five positive signs we have seen from Florida through its first four games.
Vernell Brown III is an elite punt returner
One of the bright spots for Florida is true freshman Vernell Brown III being a playmaker back on punt return. He was electric against LIU and his long return against USF set up the lone touchdown the Gators scored in that game.
His seven returns this year for an average of 18.29 yards per return have Florida ranked as the 14th best team in the country in yards per punt return.
Jadan Baugh is a beast without the stats to show for it
Despite the fact that it feels like he gets hit at the line of scrimmage every time he touches the ball, Jadan Baugh has been the one lone source of life the Gators have had on offense.
He is credited with 21 Missed Tackles Forced after a Rush, 8th best in the country, and his average of 4.02 yards after contact is 22nd best among the 92 running backs nationwide with at least 40 carries.
Opponent First Downs
If you want an idea of how the defense has done its job well enough that Florida should be better than 1-3 and potentially could be 4-0 with a better offense, the Gators have given up an average of 13.3 first downs per game.
That's the 14th best in the country after they were 111th in this same category a year ago.
Cormani McClain is arriving
One of the gambles that appears to be paying off in the Billy Napier Era is circling back and grabbing Cormani McClain out of the transfer portal ahead of the 2024 season.
McClain's story is long, winding, and well documented, but in 2025 he appears to be putting it all together.
Through four games, he has been targeted just five times and has given up three receptions for 23 yards. Of all Gator defenders with at least 100 snaps, he is Florida's highest-rated player on Pro Football Focus.
Myles Graham holds the fort down
Another player on defense having a breakout season is Myles Graham. He has the third most snaps among anyone on Florida's defense and has already racked up 24 tackles on the season after just 30 tackle during his freshman campaign.
Combined with a missed tackle rate of just 10% along with two hits on the QB, Graham has been noticeable and active in the middle of Florida's defense.