The Florida Gators cracked ESPN’s list of college football’s top 25 newcomer classes for 2025, coming in at No. 23 in a ranking compiled by recruiting analysts Craig Haubert and Billy Tucker.
The list blends both high school recruiting classes and transfer portal additions to assess overall roster upgrades across the country.
According to ESPN, the Gators’ class was bolstered by keeping elite in-state wide receiver talent at home and supplementing key positions with experienced transfers.
Haubert and Tucker note that Florida football “finished strong under Billy Napier” and that momentum paid dividends on the trail. While the Gators didn’t go portal-heavy like other programs, its blend of homegrown recruits and plug-in veterans gives the roster an upgraded feel heading into 2025.
Here is everything ESPN wrote about the Orange and Blue.
Everything ESPN said about Florida
Top impact recruits: WR Dallas Wilson, S Lagonza Hayward, S Hylton Stubbs
“While the 2024 season presented challenges, the Gators finished strong under Billy Napier, which led to a boost on the recruiting trail, particularly in their backyard. Florida kept Wilson and fellow ESPN 300 pass catcher Vernell Brown III home. Wilson has turned heads the most this spring. At 6-foot-4, 190 pounds with a 4.5 40-yard dash, he has a rare combination of size, speed and understanding of the position for a freshman.
“Hayward and Stubbs should be in the backend rotation this fall. Both ESPN 300 safeties have been as advertised this spring. Stubbs is very instinctive with range and physicality to make plays in all three levels of the defense.
Top transfers: WR J. Michael Sturdivant, QB Harrison Bailey, CB Micheal Caraway
“The Gators brought in weapons for their talented young quarterback DJ Lagway after their two top wideouts graduated. Sturdivant is a proven pass catcher with 1,667 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns over three seasons at UCLA and Cal. He has big-play potential and NFL talent, but perhaps most valuable will be his veteran leadership for freshmen Wilson and Brown. Caraway (Southern Miss) might not project as an impact defender, but he’s scheme versatile with experience.”
Context in the SEC and national picture
The Gators were one of 12 SEC teams featured in the top 25, joining the likes of the Georgia Bulldogs, Alabama Crimson Tide, Auburn Tigers, Ole Miss Rebels, Kentucky Wildcats, Oklahoma Sooners, Texas A&M Aggies, South Carolina Gamecocks, Missouri Tigers, Texas Longhorns and LSU Tigers–the highest-ranked SEC team at No. 2.
The Oregon Ducks were the highest-rated team in ESPN’s rankings.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida football lands in ESPN’s top 25 newcomer classes rankings for 2025
Reporting by Aidan Gallardo, Gators Wire / Gators Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
