The Florida Gators football team has periodically shined throughout Billy Napier’s tenure.
In his first-ever game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Napier led Florida to an upset win against then-No. 7 Utah on Sept. 3, 2022. UF senior linebacker Amari Burney’s game-saving interception along the goal line secured the win, setting lofty expectations for Napier’s first year.
The next season, the Gators toppled then-No. 11 Tennessee to improve Florida’s home win streak against the Volunteers to 10 games. Gators defensive back Devin Moore recorded his first career interception, leading to a touchdown on the following drive.
In Florida’s most recent season, the Gators defeated then-No. 9 Ole Miss 24-17, forcing three turnovers and securing a game-clinching interception off Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart with under two minutes left in the fourth quarter.
The one commonality between the three games was Florida’s prowess on the defensive end. However, Napier’s tenure has been largely defined by the opposite.
Over his three seasons, Florida has periodically struggled with tackling, failed to record sacks and shown an inability to force turnovers.
But Napier has made it a goal throughout training camp to become one of the best defenses in the country — something he says has been missing since the beginning of his tenure.
“We are on a mission here to play championship-caliber defense,” Napier said Aug. 18 at a press conference. “It's one of the things that we have failed to establish here since I've been the head coach.”
Florida’s head coach led some of the top defenses in college football during his tenure at Louisiana. In his final three seasons, the Rajun’ Cajuns ranked No. 19, No. 31 and No. 11 from 2019-2021.
Meanwhile, his Gator defenses have ranked No. 87, No. 78 and No. 44 from 2022-24. While there has been steady improvement each year, it’s still a far cry from the elite numbers his team recorded in Lafayette, Louisiana.
During Florida’s fall training camp, several players emphasized striving for a culture of excellence throughout practices.
“Each day in practice, we need three picks,” Florida safety Jordan Castell said Aug. 6. “We need three or more picks every day.”
What happens if the team fails to reach the interception threshold?
“Get on that line and run,” Castell said.
The Gators have run a “few times,” Castell said, but the challenge has been largely successful toward improving the defense since it was implemented at the tail end of 2024.
The Gators’ defense dramatically improved down the stretch, especially over Florida’s four-game winning streak at the end of the season.
In the first eight games of the season, Florida recorded 20 sacks as a team. The Gators nearly surpassed that total over their four-game win streak and logged 19 sacks.
Florida also experienced significant improvements in forcing turnovers. During the first eight games of 2024, UF logged 13 turnovers. In its final four games, Florida forced 12 turnovers.
The trademark defensive performance occurred during Florida’s 31-11 win against Florida State, when the Gators recorded a season-high eight team sacks and forced five fumbles.
“Defensively, we were lights out,” Napier said Nov. 30 following the victory. “We had a season-high in sacks, limited the explosive plays and then created some takeaways and were able to take advantage of those on offense and get some points from those.”
The Gator defense was also on point in Florida’s dominant 33-8 win over Tulane in the 2024 Gasparilla Bowl, limiting the Green Wave to 194 total offensive yards while snagging three interceptions.
Florida’s improved production transcends beyond the box score: It relates to improved communication on all levels.
In the heart of UF’s defense, sophomore linebacker Myles Graham excelled in his first campaign with the Gators in 2024. The Gainesville native recorded 30 tackles, a forced fumble and an interception.
Heading into 2025, Graham has stood out throughout training camp, not only for his solid play, but for his leadership ability.
“We've been focused on his leadership, being more vocal, getting comfortable with addressing issues with the other players,” Napier said Aug. 18. “[Graham]’s improved his skill level, his football intelligence, his role on the team as a leader and communicator.”
Junior Grayson Howard, sophomore Aaron Chiles and Graham headline one of the strongest linebacker rooms in the country. College football expert Phil Steele ranked Florida’s linebacker room No. 25 in the nation.
“Our linebacker room is about as deep as anybody in the country,” UF defensive coordinator Ron Roberts said. “I think we're sitting on three, four guys that are NFL guys.”
Greater emphasis has been placed on the physical aspect of the game, led by Florida’s strength and conditioning coach Tyler Miles.
UF’s team lost over 200 pounds of fat while gaining 700 pounds of muscle, as a number of Gators took steps towards peak physical performance.
One player who consistently stood out in the weight room during the offseason was redshirt sophomore defensive back Cormani McClain. Napier said McClain has gained 15 pounds of lean muscle and has improved his work ethic both on and off the field.
“I think [Cormani]’s had a great offseason,” Napier said Aug. 18. “He's bigger, he's stronger, he's been much more disciplined. He's been much more consistent as a teammate, much more accountable.”
McClain’s improved commitment led to Napier naming him, alongside senior Devin Moore and junior Dijon Johnson, among the three cornerbacks he considers potential starters.
With the momentum to end his third campaign paired alongside improved commitment and focus throughout training camp, Napier emphasized that his mission of a “championship-level defense” isn’t a far stretch.
“I think we have personnel, depth and leadership over here to do that,” Napier said Aug. 18 at a press conference. “This group of coaches have done a fantastic job with this group.”
Contact Luke Adragna at ladragna@alligator.org and Max Bernstein at mbernstein@alligator.org. Follow them on X at @lukeadrag and @maxbernstein23.
Luke Adragna is working his fifth semester at The Alligator and returns as the Summer 2025 assistant sports editor. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with his cat Pete and researching niche professional athletes (shoutout Jacquizz Rodgers).
Max is the Summer 2025 sports editor. He is a third-year journalism sports & media major and in his fifth semester at The Alligator. He is a big South Florida sports fan and would die for Matthew Tkachuk.
