“We can play with any team in the country,” Billy Napier said. “I’m confident our best is good enough to get it done.” If that quote doesn’t set the tone for the 2025 Florida team, nothing will. The HC didn’t flinch. Not when ESPN slapped Florida with the toughest schedule in the FBS. Not when media folks lined up to throw their concerns over their gauntlet of a schedule. And certainly not when he sat down with Frank Frangie and Matt Hayes to discuss the Gators’ 2025 season. 

In a new episode, Billy Napier made an appearance on 1010XL Gators on July 16 to shrug off the dangerous schedule that awaits Florida. “I’m kind of over it,” he said. “I think we played them all. They’re all human.” Then he reminded the hosts about the message he put out for his team the previous night. “Spot The B—,” that’s what he wrote in his caption as he shared ESPN’s list of the toughest schedules in the nation in 2025. “I know everybody wants to talk about our schedule. Our schedule’s not much different than every team in this league,” he added on the show. No whining, no fear, just football, and that’s the way teams win. 

ESPN isn’t kidding anyone, though. Florida’s 2025 schedule is formidable. Three CFP teams, including Texas, Georgia, and Tennessee, Miami on the road, Texas A&M at Kyle, and the annual Florida State grudge game. They also have LSU, Kentucky, and Ole Miss on their schedule. Even the lighter games like Mississippi State and USF carry a warning label. And yet, Billy Napier isn’t backing down. In fact, he’s doubling down on belief. “We’ll see how good they are this year,” he said calmly. “We’re to a point now where our guys think they can do it. That’s half the battle. So yeah, let’s go. Let’s go play, man. It’s about that time.” 

This is Billy Napier’s fourth year in Gainesville, and with a proven staff, elite recruiting classes, and a franchise QB in DJ Lagway, 2025 could be a game-changer for Florida. The preseason Heisman dark horse QB echoed his coach’s mindset. “I definitely think we are a playoff team. You know, we’ve just got to go out there and play b— and prove it to ourselves.” But the upside is Florida might have the best O-line in the SEC. 

Anchored by All-American center Jake Slaughter and LT Austin Barber, this unit gave up the third-fewest sacks in the SEC last year and should keep DJ Lagway upright. Behind them is a loaded RB room led by Jadan Baugh and Ja’Kobi Jackson. Defensively, Florida’s front seven is loaded with seven returners. Tyreak Sapp and Caleb Banks led a group that ranked No. 2 in the SEC in havoc rate last November. And then there’s the X factor, the massive WR warning.

Billy Napier has a special WR weapon 

Now, if you think the biggest unknown on Florida’s roster is DJ Lagway’s sophomore leap, think again. After all, his lingering health factor casts a shadow of uncertainty. The real X-factor could be Tre Wilson. Billy Napier couldn’t hide his excitement at SEC Media Days when talking about his wide receiver room. “It’s a good group,” he grinned. “I’ve coached receivers at Alabama and been around really good players at Clemson and Arizona State. We’ve always had a lot of really good players. There’s some unique ones in this group.” 

Tre Wilson, despite a hip injury that ended his 2024 campaign early, was still Florida’s third-leading receiver. In just four games, the 5’10, 189-pound speedster logged 266 yards and 19 grabs. Healthy again, he turned heads during spring camp with sharper routes and newfound physicality. Billy Napier now sees him as a primary target for DJ Lagway, an explosive weapon hiding in plain sight. “Nobody’s talking about Tre Wilson coming back,” the HC said. “He’s a difference maker for us.”

Tre Wilson’s not alone. Florida’s WR room is full of talent. J. Michael Sturdivant, Vernell Brown III, Dallas Wilson, and Naeshaun Montgomery headline what might be the deepest group Billy Napier’s coached. No drama. Just blue-collar grinders. And for this team, that’s exactly the vibe.