![Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) is congratulated by Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier after a series during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 19, 2024 against the Kentucky Wildcats. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_3285,h_1847/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/213/01jv2kr97d7q7v4ttt8q.jpg "Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) is congratulated by Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier after a series during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 19, 2024 against the Kentucky Wildcats. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]")
Over the weekend, we highlighted how the Florida Gators aren't necessarily a favorite to win the SEC, but could have an outside shot if things break correctly for Florida in 2025. Between DJ Lagway and a resurgent defense that closed out 2024, the hype train for Florida seems to keep building and building.
A couple of weeks ago, On3 writer Andy Staples ranked Florida in his top ten coming out of spring camp, and now national college football personality Josh Pate has joined the club.
Florida Football ranked in the top ten
Pate, host of Josh Pate's College Football Show, tweeted out his "Post-Spring 2025 Rankings." These rankings were his own personal rankings and not the JP Poll rankings he uses in a season that are more computer-based.
There were some surprises on the list, including Georgia being outside the top ten and Clemson being at number one, but coming in at number nine were the Gators.
This follows up comments he made on his show last week, when he highlighted that Florida has the potential for a top ten offense and a top ten defense, and his primary concern for Florida, above all else, was their schedule.
As we have highlighted and broken down here at Hail Florida Hail throughout the offseason, Florida does have the potential to be a 10-2 team in 2025 and essentially slot in at this number nine ranking. Between Lagway and some explosive playmakers, combined with a top-level linebacking group and a potentially top-ten EDGE group, the roster for the Gators is good enough to make the playoffs.
We've also highlighted our concerns about why this could be a 6-6 team, but we are not going to rehash those talking points at the moment.
The moral of it all is that it all sets up for a make-or-break year for Billy Napier, and anything short of making the playoffs in 2025 just won't be good enough in Gainesville.