Florida football is a contender for the first College Football Playoff berth in 2025

Florida football is gaining national recognition as one of the top institutions positioned to make their first College Football Playoff berth in 2025, according to CBS Sports’ Carter Bahns.

The CFP’s expansion to a 12-team system in 2024 has made it easier than ever for emerging programs to break through.

The Gators’ late-season surge, fueled by DJ Lagway’s rapid improvement, an experienced offensive line, and stronger defense, shifted the narrative around Billy Napier’s stint as Florida’s head coach.

Entering his fourth season with the Orange and Blue, Napier now commands one of the SEC’s most intriguing groups this autumn.

With the CFP now permitting several teams from big conferences such as the SEC, Florida no longer needs to win the league to qualify for the postseason. Instead, a top-three finish in the league could be enough to secure a long-desired postseason spot.

Here’s everything Bahns written about the Florida Gators and why they have a legitimate shot at the playoffs next season.

Everything CBS Sports says about the Gators

“Florida appeared to have turned a corner in November. Consecutive wins against ranked opponents, a four-game winning streak to end the season, and a freshman breakout from DJ Lagway couldn’t have happened at a better moment for Billy Napier,” Bahns writes.

“If the last month of 2024 was any indication of future success, the Gators’ coach may go from the hot seat to the playoffs in little over a calendar year. It does not take much imagination to envision a breakout season for Lagway, especially with a talented receiving corps and one of college football’s best offensive lines on his side.”

CBS Sports’ clubs primed to make their 2025 postseason debut

Miami Hurricanes
Illinois Fighting Illini South Carolina Gamecocks
Louisville Cardinals
Ole Miss Rebels

Florida Football Emerging as Legitimate Candidate for First College Football Playoff Berth in 2025

As the 2025 college football season approaches, few programs have captured as much intrigue and optimism as the Florida Gators. Under the leadership of head coach Billy Napier, the Gators appear poised to make a serious push for their first-ever College Football Playoff (CFP) berth, fueled by elite recruiting, a dynamic young quarterback, and an improving defense. With the expanded 12-team playoff format debuting this season, Florida is well-positioned to capitalize.

The Gators have endured a rebuilding process over the past few years, but 2025 represents a potential turning point. Florida hasn’t been to a national championship since 2008, and while they’ve had a few strong seasons since then, they’ve never cracked the four-team CFP. With the field now tripled in size, the door is wide open—and Florida has the tools to walk through it.

The biggest reason for optimism starts at quarterback. DJ Lagway, the five-star freshman phenom, has taken over the reins of the Gators’ offense. His mix of arm strength, mobility, and field awareness has already turned heads during spring practices and the spring game. Lagway has the type of talent that can elevate a team from good to great—especially in big moments.

Lagway’s emergence is critical in a loaded SEC where quarterback play often separates contenders from pretenders. With several SEC defenses undergoing transitions and turnover in coaching staffs, Lagway’s raw talent and football IQ give the Gators an edge they haven’t had at quarterback in years.

Napier has also built one of the strongest supporting casts in recent Florida memory. The Gators’ offensive line, a consistent weakness in the past, is now seen as a major strength. Anchored by a trio of returning starters and bolstered by transfers and highly rated freshmen, the unit is expected to give Lagway the protection he needs.

In the backfield, Florida boasts a dangerous 1-2 punch with Treyaun Webb and Jadan Baugh, both of whom bring speed, vision, and power to the running game. Combined with a deep and athletic wide receiver room—featuring Eugene Wilson III and Aidan Mizell—the Gators’ offense looks more explosive than it has in years.

Defensively, the Gators have made significant strides under defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong. The 2024 season saw growing pains, but the 2025 unit is expected to be faster, more physical, and better aligned. Florida’s defense, long criticized for inconsistency, now features depth at all three levels.

A key addition is four-star safety Jordan Headley, a game-changer in the secondary who committed earlier this summer. Alongside veterans like Devin Moore and Kamari Wilson, Florida’s defensive backfield could become a true strength. Up front, edge rushers Princely Umanmielen and Kelby Collins are expected to create havoc in opposing backfields.

Florida’s 2025 schedule also plays in their favor. While it still features traditional SEC powers like Georgia, Tennessee, and LSU, the new conference scheduling model—without divisions—could offer a slightly more navigable path. The Gators also get key games like Tennessee and Texas A&M at home in The Swamp.

Perhaps most important is the new College Football Playoff format, which allows the top six conference champions and six at-large teams to qualify. This change drastically increases Florida’s chances. Even if the Gators fall short in the SEC Championship race, a 10-2 or 9-3 record in a tough conference could be enough to grab an at-large bid.

Recruiting has also reached a new level under Napier. Florida’s 2025 and 2026 classes are both trending toward top-5 national finishes. This talent infusion, combined with improved strength and conditioning, has elevated the program’s overall ceiling. Napier’s vision of a physical, smart, and deep roster is finally coming into focus.

The culture shift within the program is equally notable. After several years of inconsistent locker room energy and fan engagement, Napier has restored belief. Players speak often of a unified mission. Coaches describe practices as sharper and more competitive. And The Swamp is buzzing with anticipation.

Analysts across the country are beginning to take notice. ESPN, 247Sports, and CBS Sports have all mentioned Florida as a dark-horse playoff team. Some have even ranked the Gators in their preseason top 10, citing their quarterback talent and upward trajectory.

If Florida can start the season strong—especially with early matchups against Miami and Kentucky—they could build the momentum needed to climb the rankings and stay in playoff contention. A midseason showdown against Georgia could determine whether Florida contends for the SEC title or hunts for an at-large spot.

There will be challenges, of course. The SEC is still the deepest league in the country. Lagway is still a freshman, and injuries are always a risk. But this version of Florida feels different—balanced, hungry, and no longer reliant on a few star players to carry the load.

The expanded playoff also means that teams can afford a slip-up. One tough loss doesn’t end a season. That reality should give Florida the breathing room they need to develop without the pressure of perfection. It’s a format tailor-made for a rising team like the Gators.

Another factor working in Florida’s favor is their national brand. The College Football Playoff selection committee considers strength of schedule, program quality, and competitive performance. Florida checks all three boxes. If they’re in the mix, they’ll get a long look.

Ultimately, Florida’s playoff chances in 2025 come down to execution. If Napier’s staff continues to develop young talent and Lagway becomes the star many expect, the Gators could be the story of the season. A CFP berth would validate the rebuild and reestablish Florida as a perennial power.

In Gainesville, the feeling is clear: something big is brewing. With the perfect storm of talent, opportunity, and structure, the Florida Gators are no longer dreaming of the College Football Playoff—they’re aiming for it.