ATLANTA — The Gators are scheduled to make their appearance at SEC Media Days later this afternoon, with head coach Billy Napier set for a 30-minute session in the main room starting at 1 p.m.

As Napier enters his fourth season, the buzz around the program is noticeably different than his first three trips to the league’s marquee offseason event thanks to sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway. The last time the Gators had a player in the spotlight as much as Lagway heading into this event was 2009 when Florida, coming off its second national championship in three seasons, brought Tim Tebow and linebacker Brandon Spikes to SEC Media Days. That was the final year when schools brought only two players, and Tebow and Spikes gave the Gators a famed duo.

 

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— Cam Parker (@camparker25) July 16, 2025

Lagway helped rejuvenate the Gators after their disastrous start last season by going 6-1 as the starter. Florida finished the season on a four-game win streak and with a victory over Tulane in the Gasparilla Bowl, pulling Napier even (19-19) heading into the most-anticipated UF season in a long time.

Lagway, defensive lineman Caleb Banks and center Jake Slaughter are joining Napier here, with Lagway’s appearance certain to draw significant attention from the media much like Texas quarterback Arch Manning’s visit did on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Gators are projected to finish in the top half of the SEC and contend for the first College Football Playoff appearance in program history.

I’ll be posting regular updates on X throughout the day (@GatorsScott), and check out @GatorsFB for additional real-time content.

 

Center stage in ATL 🔜 #GoGators pic.twitter.com/dDBlh8hP77

— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) July 16, 2025

 
You never know what kind of questions will be asked at SEC Media Day. Tebow faced perhaps the most famous question ever asked at the event. Here is what we do know: Lagway is the biggest draw for the Gators since Tebow 16 years ago.

Here are five questions certain to come up for Florida’s contingent:

1. What is the latest on Lagway’s health? He was limited due to a sore shoulder in spring camp and made only cursory appearances in the Orange & Blue Game. Lagway is expected to be full-go by the start of preseason camp, but Gators fans want to hear it from the quarterback’s mouth.

2. Can the Gators overcome one of the nation’s most difficult schedules and truly contend for the CFB Playoff? Florida struggled out of the game a year ago with lopsided home losses to Miami and Texas A&M. After home games against Long Island and USF to start the season, the Gators face this tornado: at LSU, at Miami, vs. Texas, at Texas A&M. Whether they are a contender or pretender will be decided over that stretch.

 

“Spot The Ball.” https://t.co/wEGg598VCV

— COACH BILLY NAPIER (@coach_bnapier) July 16, 2025

3. How many difference-makers are among the newcomers? The Gators have recruited well under Napier and used to transfer portal judiciously in this new era. Receivers J. Michael Sturdivant (transfer from UCLA) and true freshmen Vernell Brown III, Dallas Wilson and Naeshaun Montgomery are four new faces being watched closely. For Lagway and the Gators to blossom, at least two of them need to be high-impact players their first season at UF. The Gators will need the same on defense, especially in the secondary with newcomers Ben Hanks III, Lagonza Hayward and Drake Stubbs worth keeping an eye on in Year 1.

4. Is the offensive line as good as advertised? Slaughter anchors the unit in the middle and returning starters Austin Barber, Damieon George Jr. and Knijeah Harris provide SEC-tested experience. Sophomore Bryce Lovett, who made three starts last season, is the youngster of the group. This is Florida’s best preseason O-Line on paper in recent years.

5. What impact will staff changes have? The Gators have a trio of defensive coordinators in the wake of Austin Armstrong’s departure to Houston. Veteran assistant Ron Roberts is the lead voice, joined by newcomers Robert Bala (inside linebackers/co-DC) and Vinnie Sunseri (safeties/co-DC). Roberts moved to the booth midseason and helped Florida turn it around defensively during its late-season surge. Napier promoted Russ Callaway to offensive coordinator.