The Florida Gators enter the offseason season with loads of excitement encircling the program, including a vote of trust from former Florida quarterback and current analyst Jesse Palmer. The ESPN personality spoke on a recent podcast about the excitement around Gainesville for a revamped Gators team.
Jesse Palmer Sees ‘Way More Excitement’ in Gainesville as Florida Gators Build Momentum for 2025
In a recent interview on the “David Pollack College Football” podcast, the former Gators QB discussed his shared confidence in Coach Billy Napier and Florida entering the 2025 season.
Palmer also discussed the team’s performance, highlighting the considerable strides Florida made in the second half of the 2024 season.
“The confidence in the locker room but also just amongst the alumni…I think we feel really good about it,” David Palmer said. “The nucleus looks pretty good for next year.”
Despite Napier’s 19-19 record over three seasons in Gainesville, Palmer believes that keeping him on board was an imperative decision. The Gators’ late-season explosion, which was built by Napier, included convincing wins against ranked Ole Miss and LSU. This significantly helped reshape fans’ opinions of his coaching performance.
While some criticized Napier’s tenure after three seasons, Palmer and other alumni believe his long-term strategy is effective. Napier’s approach to scouting and nurturing players has strengthened Florida’s status as an SEC powerhouse.
Elsewhere in the interview, Palmer highlighted that Napier’s ability to win key matches late in the season indicates that the team has invested in keeping him as coach.
Palmer’s loud praise contributes to the Gators’ growing popularity among football fans. His optimism, paired with the team’s recent wins, suggests an optimistic path as the 2025 season approaches. Combine this with Florida’s talented playmakers like QB DJ Lagway, and the team could make a deep run next year.
TAKE A DEEP DIVE INTO THE SWAMP: FLORIDA GATORS 2025 SCHEDULE
Napier and the Gators open the 2025 football season with a home opener against the Long Island Sharks of the FCS. Along with yearly matchups with Georgia, Tennessee, and LSU, the Gators will also meet Texas, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss in Year Two of the new-look SEC.
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