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ESPN puts Gators in top 20 future Future Power Rankings through 2026

On3 imageby: Keith Niebuhr06/11/25On3Keith
DJ Lagway
USA Today Sports

ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg revealed ESPN’s college football future power rankings Wednesday and the Florida Gators are in the top 20. As he noted, these “rankings will examine the next two seasons — in this case, the 2025 and 2026 seasons — and function more as a snapshot of the landscape.”

Rittenberg said programs were evaluated on the following categories:

  • Returning quarterback
  • Likelihood of a multiyear QB on roster
  • Offensive line/defensive line outlook
  • Roster management
  • Star power (All-Americans, national award contenders, all-conference contenders)
  • Coaching staff

Using this criteria, the Florida Gators seem to have faired fairly well, coming in at No. 15. To Rittenberg, UF is solid in each of these areas, including the following two:

Returning quarterback: Yes. Top 10 national recruit DJ Lagway emerged as Florida’s starter last season, and displayed impressive deep-ball accuracy, finishing with 1,915 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. He didn’t throw this spring because of a shoulder injury but should be ready for preseason camp.

Offensive line/defensive line outlook: Both groups project well, especially an offensive line that returns four starters, including All-America center Jake Slaughter and guard Damieon George Jr. The Gators excelled in both pass protection and run blocking, and promising sophomore Bryce Lovett is pegged to take over at right tackle. Florida brings back one of the SEC’s top defensive line tandems in senior tackle Caleb Banks and senior end Tyreak Sapp, who led the team in both sacks (7) and tackles for loss (13). Jamari Lyons is back from a broken ankle, and edge George Gumbs Jr. had five sacks last fall.

Meanwhile, Rittenberg added, “Coach Billy Napier has his best roster entering Year 4.”

Overall, it was a pretty positive take on the status of Florida Gators football.

Who came in at No. 1? That would be Texas.

Said Rittenberg of the Longhorns: “Arch Manning finally becomes QB1 for the Longhorns, and he could position himself as a top NFL draft selection in 2026. But Manning is in a unique situation because of his background and the money he has already earned in college. He doesn’t need to rush off to begin his pro career and could benefit from a second season as the starter under coach Steve Sarkisian.”

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