Billy Napier would not have stated so publicly earlier than the season started, however for those who may get him to let down his coach facade and be sincere, you in all probability may’ve made him admit he’d be pleased with an 8-5 document.
After watching his workforce lose house video games to Miami and Texas A&M to begin the yr 1-2, he could have even settled for much less.
Seems, he did not should. With a dominant 33-8 win over Tulane within the Gasparilla Bowl, Napier’s Gators ended the season on a four-game profitable streak to complete 8-5. That stretch included a victory over Ole Miss that knocked the Rebels out of playoff rivalry and a victory over LSU that hammered the ultimate nail into the Tigers’ disappointing 2024 season.
Three of Florida’s losses got here to groups within the School Soccer Playoff, a truth that may sound like comfort to some. However in Gainesville, the place the expectation is to compete for playoff spots, it serves as a reminder of how far this system has to go.
A bowl win over a shorthanded Tulane workforce — one lacking key gamers, together with beginning quarterback Darian Mensah — would not show the Gators are able to contend. Nonetheless, there’s much more optimism heading into this offseason than there was a yr in the past.
Why am I assured Napier would’ve taken an 8-5 document earlier than the yr started? As a result of Florida went 5-7 final season after ending 6-7 in 2022. Napier entered 2024 with one of many hottest seats within the nation. After a 24-point house loss to Miami and a 13-point defeat to Texas A&M, many assumed his probabilities of making it by the season had been slim — particularly with the again half of the schedule looming.
Issues did not get any simpler when beginning quarterback Graham Mertz suffered a season-ending damage within the loss to Tennessee. However that misfortune had a silver lining: it opened the door for D.J. Lagway, the five-star freshman and No. 3 recruit within the 2024 class. Lagway’s season had its ups and downs, however his expertise and potential had been clear. His dedication to returning subsequent season solidified Napier’s job safety as nicely.
That stability is already paying dividends. Florida closed the early signing interval with the No. 11 recruiting class within the nation and picked up key transfers, together with receiver J. Michael Sturdivant, who ought to add a priceless deep risk to the passing recreation subsequent yr.
It is only a Gasparilla Bowl win, however the vibes in Gainesville are unmistakably brighter heading into the vacations. This yr, when Gators followers want one another a Completely happy New 12 months, they could really imply it.