'They're like a sleeping giant' -- Former Tennessee quarterback makes bold declaration about the Florida Gators

The Florida Gators are a fascinating team in the 2025 season with the toughest schedule in college football, and former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Matt Simms believes they are a sleeping giant.

"Florida, I think really is kind of one of those man. They're like a sleeping giant," Simms explained. "If they figure it out, it they could be scary as hell, because they've got a lot of dudes on both sides of the football. We know how talented the quarterback [DJ Lagway] is, but the skill group on offense, to me, is quite scary and young. And of course, by the time they [Tennessee] play them, which I feel like is what we're at mid-November this season, that could be a whole other football team that we see at that point, which will be great. That might be when Tennessee and Florida really are peaking together at the right time, they're battling for the SEC."

Florida Gators could be a sleeping giant

Simms is speaking the truth about the Gators, and it boils down to head coach Billy Napier's long-term plan to build up the infrastructure of the program. The focus has been on high school recruiting during his tenure, and that is exactly how they have built this sleeping giant.

When you look at all of the top players on the Gators' roster, nearly all of the top players are ones that Napier recruited. Lagway, wide receiver Eugene Wilson III, running back Jadan Baugh, defensive tackle Caleb Banks, and more.

When you have done what Napier has, it takes some time to build that up, and 2025 is when they will reap the benefits. It won't be easy with the toughest schedule, but the end of last season gave both the blueprint of how to take the Gators back to the glory they've known previously and the confidence they can get there.

Come November, Florida vs. Tennessee could once again be the game to decide the SEC.