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Florida Gators path to College Football Playoff starts and ends with the success of their most important players
Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun

Florida Gators path to College Football Playoff starts and ends with the success of their most important players

Originally posted on A to Z Sports  |  By Tyler Forness  |  Last updated Jun 20, 2025 2:29 PM ET

The Florida Gators are set to take the next step forward under head coach Billy Napier. After winning 19 games in the first three years, this is going to be a crucial year for the Gators in Napier's tenure. In order to take things to the next level, the Gators will need some major improvements.

The offense is going to be the engine that powers the team through over the course of the season, especially if they want to contend for a playoff spot. These will be the most pivotal players to the success of the team.

QB DJ Lagway

This is the easiest player to add to the list. The idea last year was to had Lagway sit and watch Graham Mertz while developing behind the scenes. That didn't last very long with Mertz suffering multiple injuries, as Lagway ended up starting six games. The good news was the Gators won six of those seven starts, and they had a seven point lead when Lagway left the game against Georgia with a severe hamstring injury.

That injury ended up being a blessing in disguise for Lagway and the Gators, as he needed to prove he could thrive in the pocket. Lagway barely ran the ball in the final stretch of the season, but proved he could be a traditional pocket passer. That element is going to serve him incredibly well as he enters the season as the unquestioned starter.

The other element that's concerning is the shoulder injury which Lagway spent the offseason rehabbing. Can he last the season? A healthy Lagway is going to be key to a successful Gators season.

WR Eugene Wilson III

The offense is going to run through Lagway, and Jadan Baugh is set to anchor an important running game. The weapons on the outside will be huge in elevating the Gators offense, especially with quick game

Wilson missed a significant portion of last season with a knee injury and the offensive performance took a step back. Wilson is the epitome of a dominant slot receiver, having the ability to attack vertically and thrive with the ball in his hands in the open field. Having that element to pair with the vertical threats in J. Michael Sturdivant and the emerging true freshman Dallas Wilson wil lbe great for the Gators' offense.

C Jake Slaughter

One of the biggest keys to the Gators in 2025 will be the success in the trenches. The offensive line is returning four of five starters, including arguably the nation's best center in Slaughter.

He was excellent across the board in 2024, especially against the pass. In 402 pass blocking reps, Slaughter allowed just nine pressures and one sack, anchoring an offensive line that could be the biggest factor in taking the Gators to the next level.

LT Austin Barber

The other anchor of the offensive line if their left tackle Barber. At 6'6 and 322 lbs, Barber has been the Gators for the better part of the last three years and has thrived across the board. Barber has allowed a total of eight sacks and 28 pressures across the last three seasons with the majority of his snaps at left tackle, but has played 487 snaps at right tackle as well. Having that kind of anchor on the left side is a really good thing, and Barber projects to potentially be a first-round pick.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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