Florida Makes Exciting Announcement Before 2025 College Football Season
The 2025 season appears to be a promising one for the Florida Gators. With head coach Billy Napier entering his fourth season in Gainesville and phenom quarterback DJ Lagway coming off an exhilarating freshman campaign, UF's football program seems to be heading in the right direction.
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On Tuesday, Athlon Sports released its 2025 preseason All-America and all-conference teams, with three Gators earning national honors and 10 being named to the All-SEC teams.
Lagway, who dazzled the Florida faithful last year, going 6-1 as a starter and leading UF to four-straight victories to end the season, made one of the teams, but he may not be where you expect.
Florida's starting quarterback was not named to a preseason All-American team but was given fourth-team All-SEC offensive honors. Lagway is now the undisputed No. 1 under center for the Gators, and UF fans hope he will end this season with much higher honors.
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Unlike Lagway, there was no surprise with Florida's lone selection for first-team All-American with star center Jake Slaughter being named to the team. This comes after he was selected to the 2025 Walter Camp Preseason First Team Offense earlier in the day. He is entering his fifth year with the Gators after an accolade-filled 2024.
The other two who were named to All-America teams were Tyreak Sapp (third-team defense) and Eugene Wilson II (fourth-team offense). Sapp led Florida with seven sacks and 13 tackles-for-loss last year. Wilson had an awe-inspiring freshman season in 2023, leading UF with six touchdown receptions on 61 catches and 538 yards. However, he was stricken with injuries last year, as he started only four games and was granted a redshirt.
Outside of Slaughter, Sapp (second-team defense) and Wilson (second-team offense), seven other Gators were named to All-SEC teams by Athlon. This includes second-teamers Jadan Baugh and Austin Barber, who were named to the offensive team, and Caleb Banks, who made the defensive squad.
Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13).Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Baugh earned Freshman All-SEC honors in 2024 after running for 673 yards and seven touchdowns, while Barber protected the left side of the offensive line for him and Lagway in the backfield. Barber started all 13 games at left tackle last season and was named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week in Week 4. Banks locked down the middle of Florida's defensive front last season with 21 tackles, including seven tackles-for-loss and 4.5 sacks.
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The final three who were named to preseason All-SEC teams by Athlon were Grayson Howard, Devin Moore and Bryce Thornton. Howard, who started the first nine games in 2024 before missing the last four due to injury, amassed 37 tackles, two tackles-for-loss and a pair of fumble recoveries. Moore played seven games last season, recording two pass break-ups and one interception, while Thornton led Florida in picks with three, including a pair against Ole Miss in Florida's upset victory.
With 10 Gators earning preseason honors from Athlon, there is a lot to be excited about in Gainesville for Billy Napier's team.
Related: Elite Five-Star Florida Target Sets Commitment Date
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
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