CBS Sports’ Josh Pate, one of the most respected voices in college football media, recently sat down with Frank Frangie at the 2025 SEC Media Days to dive deep into the current state of the Florida Gators football program. With the 2025 season looming and a sense of urgency brewing in Gainesville, this conversation served as a pivotal reflection point for where Florida football stands, where it’s heading, and why the next few months could be transformational for the once-proud SEC power. It’s no secret that the Florida Gators have been in a state of flux over the past several years. From head coaching changes to inconsistent quarterback play and recruiting battles that haven’t always gone their way, the program has lacked the steady dominance it once carried throughout the 1990s and 2000s. But as Pate and Frangie discussed, there’s cautious optimism that this year’s team might represent a turning point — if not fully in results just yet, then certainly in direction and energy.
Josh Pate, known for his sharp football insights and no-nonsense approach, began by highlighting how critical the 2025 season will be for Florida head coach Billy Napier. Entering his fourth year at the helm, Napier faces what many are calling a defining campaign — not just in terms of wins and losses, but in how his program culture translates into competitiveness and consistency. Frangie and Pate both agreed that the schedule Florida faces this year is arguably the toughest in the nation, with games against Georgia, LSU, Texas, and Oklahoma — now full-time SEC members — as well as a non-conference clash with in-state rival Florida State. Yet even in the face of such a brutal slate, Pate emphasized that showing marked improvement, particularly in player development and execution, would go a long way toward giving Napier more staying power in Gainesville.
The quarterback situation, as always, was a central part of the discussion. With DJ Lagway, the five-star freshman phenom, now on campus and creating waves in the offseason with his maturity and skill set, there’s an undeniable buzz surrounding his potential. Pate noted that while it’s unrealistic to expect Lagway to carry the entire program on his back as a true freshman, his arrival represents more than just a talented arm — it symbolizes a hope that Florida has lacked at the quarterback position for several years. Frangie echoed those sentiments, pointing out that Lagway’s leadership traits have already impressed both teammates and coaches, and that if Napier can manage his development carefully, the Gators might be able to lay the foundation for sustained success.
Beyond Lagway, there’s intrigue surrounding how Napier plans to balance his offense — something that has often drawn criticism during his tenure. Pate was candid in pointing out that while Napier’s run-heavy, methodical style can be effective, it hasn’t consistently translated against elite SEC defenses. Florida’s offensive line play has improved under his watch, but the lack of explosive plays and red zone efficiency has hampered their ability to keep up in high-scoring contests. The conversation turned toward whether Napier would consider ceding some offensive responsibilities or at least adapt his scheme to better fit the strengths of this year’s roster. According to Pate, that will be one of the biggest storylines to monitor this fall: can Napier evolve tactically, or will his philosophical rigidity end up limiting the Gators’ ceiling?
On defense, Pate and Frangie were in agreement that new defensive coordinator Ron Roberts has the potential to be a game-changer. After Florida’s defense ranked near the bottom of the SEC in several key categories last year — including third-down defense and points allowed — the pressure is immense to turn things around. Roberts, who has earned a reputation for creating havoc and maximizing under-the-radar talent, inherits a unit that is young but athletic. Pate stressed that while improvement won’t happen overnight, the early returns out of spring and summer workouts suggest a much more disciplined and aggressive approach to defense. Frangie highlighted a few standouts, including edge rusher TJ Searcy and linebacker Shemar James, as players who could anchor a defense looking to regain its bite.
Recruiting was another hot-button topic during the interview, and it’s an area where Napier has received both praise and scrutiny. Pate acknowledged that Florida has recruited well on paper — routinely finishing in or near the top 10 nationally — but that the translation to on-field impact hasn’t always been smooth. Development, retention, and in-game deployment have all lagged behind the acquisition of talent, and as Pate pointed out, those are the metrics that ultimately define program success in today’s college football landscape. Frangie brought up the increasing importance of NIL and the transfer portal in modern recruiting battles, particularly in the SEC, and asked whether Florida was keeping up in those departments. Pate didn’t mince words — while Florida has made strides, it’s still playing catch-up compared to programs like Georgia, Alabama, and even Texas A\&M when it comes to NIL infrastructure and aggressive portal management. That said, he praised Napier’s staff for identifying high-character players and prioritizing fit, even if it means losing out on some higher-ranked recruits.
Another fascinating layer to the conversation was the broader context of where Florida football stands within the ever-shifting SEC landscape. With the additions of Texas and Oklahoma, the conference is more competitive than ever, and traditional powerhouses like Florida can no longer rely solely on their brand or history to assert dominance. Pate made the compelling point that Florida must redefine what success looks like in the modern era. Gone are the days when winning 10 games guaranteed national title consideration. Now, it’s about incremental progress, strong recruiting pipelines, and smart roster management. Frangie added that Florida’s fanbase, while passionate and loyal, needs to adjust expectations slightly and buy into the long-term vision rather than demanding instant gratification. That’s easier said than done in Gainesville, where memories of national titles under Urban Meyer and the electric days of Tim Tebow still loom large.
One of the more poignant moments came when Pate discussed the intangible elements that separate great programs from good ones — things like leadership, accountability, and internal culture. He shared anecdotes from visiting other top-tier programs, emphasizing how clear and aligned the vision often is between players, coaches, and support staff. At Florida, he said, those ingredients are beginning to take shape but are not yet fully formed. Napier’s challenge is to not only build a winning team, but to foster a winning environment that sustains itself through adversity, personnel changes, and tough competition. Frangie agreed, pointing out that culture-building is a slow, deliberate process that often doesn’t show up in box scores — but becomes obvious when a team plays with toughness, discipline, and resilience.
They also touched on the fan experience and what it means to be a Florida Gator in 2025. The Swamp remains one of college football’s most iconic venues, but Pate noted that the home-field advantage hasn’t been quite what it used to be. Whether due to inconsistent performance, game-day logistics, or the increasingly commercialized nature of college football, Florida must rekindle the magic of its home atmosphere. That doesn’t mean merely relying on tradition — it means creating new memories, energizing a new generation of fans, and giving them something to believe in. Frangie added that media narratives often overlook how much the environment around the program can influence recruiting and morale, and that Florida has a unique opportunity this year to unify its community around a refreshed identity.
The conversation eventually shifted toward the outlook for the 2025 season. Pate was cautious but intrigued. He sees Florida as a team that could surprise some opponents, especially if Lagway catches fire and the defense gels under Roberts. However, he also warned against overhyping potential before it’s been proven on the field. The SEC is unforgiving, and with a schedule that doesn’t leave much margin for error, Florida will need to show up every week with a sense of urgency and physicality. Pate offered a possible range of outcomes, from a 6-win rebuilding year to a breakout 9-win campaign that changes the trajectory of the program. Either way, he emphasized that Florida’s story this season won’t be defined solely by the record — it will be about signs of growth, competitiveness in big moments, and the emergence of a team identity that fans can rally behind.
As their time wrapped up, both Pate and Frangie struck a tone of cautious hope. They acknowledged the challenges ahead but agreed that Florida football is positioned better than most think. With young talent, an improved staff, and a potential superstar at quarterback, the ingredients are there. What remains to be seen is whether they can be mixed into something cohesive, something lasting. As Pate succinctly put it, this is the year Florida stops looking back and starts building forward — not out of desperation, but out of belief in a brighter future. The 2025 SEC Media Days may be just a checkpoint, but for the Gators, it could mark the beginning of a critical chapter.
