Hahaha what’s your stadium, oh wait… the Dolphins stadium???
Over under this year on how many games we hear “Duh U is Back”?? Keep those cheesy ass plastic chains going,
We love it.
-The Swamp-
The Case For Florida 🐊
Billy Napier and Florida are coming off back-to-back losing seasons and have a projected win total of just 4.5 games for the 2024 season, but there are a few reasons that I think the Gators could surprise a lot of people this year.
In 2023 the Gators were 5-7, but were very close to being a 7 or 8 win team with multiple victories over ranked opponents.
They beat #11 Tennessee by two TDs.
They lost to Arkansas in OT after they missed a FG that would’ve won it in regulation (82.5% chance to win with 0:16 left)
They lost 33-31 to #9 Missouri on the road after allowing a 4th & 17 conversion on the Tigers’ final drive (89.8% chance to win with 1:36 left)
They led #5 FSU by 2 TDs at one point, they led in the 4th quarter, the Noles needed a late TD to pull away (out-gained FSU in total yardage)
The Gators return their QB1 in Graham Mertz and added 5🌟, No. 1 QB in the class of 2024, DJ Lagway behind him. Mertz had an underrated season last year (2,903 yards, 24 TDs, 3 INTs, finished 3rd in FBS in comp. pct., 72.9%) and is poised for a big season this fall.
They lost WR Ricky Pearsall to the NFL, but return a star in Eugene Wilson (led team in rec TDs as a freshman) who will be their new WR1 and could have a breakout season this year. They also return TE1 Arlis Boardingham.
They bring in:
• ASU transfer WR Elijhah Badger
• Wisconsin transfer WR Chimere Dike (played with Mertz for 3 years)
• 4🌟 WR recruit Tank Hawkins
• 4🌟 WR recruit TJ Abrams
• 4🌟 TE recruit Amir Jackson
and get 2023 4🌟 WR Andy Jean back from injury
They lost Trevor Etienne, but return RB1 in Montrell Johnson, get Cam Carroll back from injury, and brought in 4🌟 RB recruits KD Daniels and Jadan Baugh.
PFF ranks Florida’s offensive line as the 10th best in CFB this year. Their grades have Florida with 3 of the top 10 returning offensive tackles in the SEC and the 3rd best returning IOL in the SEC.
Their defense is loaded. They get back their leader in LB Shemar James (2nd on the team in total tackles and TFLs last year while only playing 8 games), as well as guys like Tyreak Sapp, Jordan Castell (led team in tackles as a freshman), and Jason Marshall.
• 5🌟 DL LJ McCray (No. 1 defensive lineman in class of 2024)
• Colorado DB Cormani McClain (5🌟 and No. 1 CB in class of 2023)
• Penn transfer DL Joey Slackman
• Oregon transfer DB Trikweze Bridges
• Washington transfer DB Asa Turner
• Alabama transfer DB Jameer Grimsley
• 4🌟 LB recruit Aaron Chiles
• 4🌟 LB recruit Myles Graham
• 4🌟 DB recruit Gregory Smith III
Billy Napier is heading into his 3rd season with the Gators. He has two full years to look back at and has built a roster of his recruits and portal acquisitions.
Watch out for the Gators to exceed expectations and surprise a lot of people this fall. 👀