Heading into the 2025 college football season, Florida will replace some high-end talent. This paves the way for the new crop of players to make their mark on this program. Expectations are high this season in Gainesville, and all players must rise to the occasion. The NFL Draft wrapped up two weeks ago, with seven Gators hearing their name called. Now it is up to the senior and junior groups to replace those talented seven. A talented group, fans will be eager to monitor their progress. Despite the talent lost to the draft, the Gators have several breakout candidates. Billy Napier must have these players ready to go if he wants to meet the lofty expectations. Already on the NFL Draft radar, four Gators have breakout potential. With another strong season, they could launch themselves into early round consideration.
New Draft Talent?
The All-American Returns
Jake Slaughter earned several significant accolades and was arguably the best player on the Gators’ roster last season. The Gators’ center was voted as a first-team All-American last season. Choosing to push off his NFL dreams, he now returns to Gainesville as the unquestioned leader of this offensive line. Florida returns four out of five starting offensive linemen. An impressive unit, quarterback DJ Lagway should not have to worry about his protection. The offensive line will be leaned on heavily, especially with an offense built on running the football. Already seen as a first-round talent, Slaughter has the chance to solidify his draft stock. If he takes another step in the right direction, he could be the first offensive lineman off the board next April.
Skill Group Leader?
After a dazzling freshman campaign, wide receiver Tre Wilson became an afterthought to many fans. His sophomore season did not go as planned. He battled injuries and lost involvement in the offense. However, after deciding to return to Gainesville, he is now the leader of this receiving room. Fans are excited about the potential of this group after adding talent from the transfer portal and bringing in some highly regarded freshmen. Still dealing with the nagging injury, Wilson should be ready by the time the season rolls around. Fans will be hoping he returns to his freshman form, during which he caught six touchdowns. Lagway will lean on Wilson heavily in the screen and short game. Wilson must set the example for the rest of this young receiver group.
Mammoth Interior
There was some buzz that defensive lineman Caleb Banks would enter the NFL Draft this season. Choosing to forgo the draft, the former Louisville product is in a prime position for a breakout season for the Gators. Terrorizing offensive linemen, he finished his season on a superb note. He had one sack against LSU before notching two and a half sacks in the upset victory against Ole Miss. With fellow defensive lineman Cam Jackson off to the NFL, Banks will anchor this unit. If he picks up where he left off, he could be one of the top defensive linemen in the country. He has all the tools, and the opportunity is there for Banks to work his way into first-round consideration.
First Round Buzz
Edge rusher Tyreak Sapp has given his all to the University of Florida. Rather than enter the draft, he noted that he had “unfinished business”. He is coming back for his senior season, and expectations could not be higher for this fanbase. Last year, he finished with an impressive seven sacks and 46 tackles. As the season progressed, this Florida defense only got better. Playing their best ball at the end of the year, fans are finally excited about a Gator defense. Sapp has already been a leader for this unit, but now this is truly his defense. If the Gators want to compete for a playoff spot, Sapp must be at his best. After three years in Gainesville, his draft stock is beginning to build. Fans should not be surprised if he begins to enter first-round talks.
Final Thoughts
This is a pivotal year for Napier and the Florida Gators. After being left for dead three weeks into last season, the entire team flipped a switch. An eight-win season with the Gators’ schedule was a true surprise for college football fans around the country. Now, the Gators must replace the talent that departed for the NFL. Even with a younger team, this shouldn’t be too tall of a task. The stage is being set for this to be the year for a playoff push. However, the schedule remains daunting. There are practically no weeks off from talented teams. Florida will lean heavily on its next crop of upperclassmen. The breakout players highlighted above must pave the way if the Gators want to compete for anything meaningful. This is a make-or-break season for this program, there is no longer any room for excuses.
Main Image: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
The post Gators Breakout Candidates: Who Will Lead? appeared first on Last Word on College Football.