2024, 2025 or 2026 is the reality where we start seeing continuity and a team that looks like they are prepared week in and week out with consistency in all 3 phases. Irrational expectations are to blame and we as fans can do our part to reset our expectations. Not apologizing for the reality of the complete program renovation and rebuild, but Napes is the guy and hasn’t done anything detrimental to the long-term success of the program. I’ve seen enough to know he is building a winning program and not a Larry Coker and Gene Chitzik sh*t-show. It’s a talent acquisition business, talent evaluation business and talent development business. Napes checks all those boxes and he has done a high level behind the scenes implementation of a process. The 2024 recruits are program changers. Refocus expectations to 2024 (yr 3), 2025 (yr 4) and 2026 (yr 5). 2024 should be a large step forward 2025 we should expect playoffs 2026 winning playoff games A little perspective below. Took Saban and Smart 3&4 and 6 years respectively to win the big one. Both are in the SEC so tampering expectations to year 4 and 5 are much more realistic with next year seeing a large jump in progress. I believe we have some of the same rebuild LSU issues when Nick Saban took over LSU to our rebuild. Took him 4 years to win the natty at LSU. Coaches who won a natty the last 22 years: Kirby Smart, 6th (edit) year Nick Saban, 3rd year at Bama and 4th at LSU (in my opinion similar rebuild as us) Ed Orgeron, 3rd year, fired 2 yrs later. Joe Burrow and a few mid receivers. Dabo Sweeney 7th year Urban Meyer, 2nd year at UF and 3rd year at OSU Jimbo Fisher, 3rd year as head coach, but 6th year on the staff if you count OC. He was head coach in waiting & can’t get it done at A&M. Gene Chizik, 2nd year, fired 2 years later, Cam Newton affect Less miles LSU 3rd season - Saban program takeover Mack Brown Texas 8th season (edit) Pete Carroll, USC 4th season Jim Tressel, OSU, 2nd season Larry Coker, Miami 1st season. Loaded team who didn’t need a coach to win it that year. lol Bob Stoops Oklahoma 2nd season, never won another one in 17 seasons
2025 will be when we will be "back". Barring a lot of transfers out, we will have talent all over the field like we haven't seen since Meyer was here. Very well could be 4 consecutive losing seasons to get us there. Will Gator fans wait that long?
We need to realize that we can get good in the off season while still building through high school recruiting. But in order to do that we have to open up the NIL cash to get the best proven available Transfer Portal players out there. LSU and FSU go much better with the portal than most teams did and that required brave money to come forth from out NIL people... "Scared money don't make money." Brave money gets the best players available from the portal.
There’s the list of the great coaches the last twenty years. Very few multiple winners and even less could sustain a program at all. They don’t grow on trees and the stars have to align for 52-20. It’s not easy or everyone of these coach coaches would have a job.
There’s a limited pile of cash too. We may look back in a few years and be glad we have the roster we have instead of spending that cash on short term rentals tgat have since graduated. That same cash will be available when Lagway needs it in certain areas. It’s poker at its finest.
24 will be tough. schedule from hell plus still a young team overall. Lagway and the rest of that 24 class will all be freshmen next season. . 25 and beyond. looks more promising
Comparing years to win a big one vs Years to have a wining record NIL and the transfer portal have changed the rules. Adapt of die.
honestly, i dont think it will be as tough as some believe. Take a look at our schedule and unless those teams get a vet portal QB, A LOOOOT of them will go into next year with a new starter at QB vs our experienced D: UCF Miami FSU MSU LSU Ole Miss Texas Tennessee Kentucky all will have new QB’s
That's a good point, but it seems that Napier and his "army" have figured out the formula... and now it's about how to get the word out to the good-great players that might be interested in upgrading their NIL worth by switching to the Gators versus other schools.
Most have established players on the line though. I can’t wait till we return half our big boys and they are talented with a two deep that has game experience. Next man up doesn’t apply for us when it comes to the trenches.
yep and it sucks to go through this because our first and 2nd year backups on the OL can’t get extended PT to develop during the games this season since we haven’t been able to put teams away.
We are spending big on this incoming class, we didn’t empty the well on the portal this year, it may look like a good decision later. We need a few next year though. We need to win a couple more games to keep the tinfoil hats on.
Our freshman we just recruited are getting zero snaps but that’s usually a good thing. 18-19 years olds aren’t often ready yet. Maybe there’s a few good freshman on the bench that will make us smile next year. Definitely need a few upfront from the portal though..
agreed!! Nobody on the OL job should be safe going into the spring. Every position has shown it should be up for grabs with 54 maaaaybe being the exception. Bring in talent and let the best 5 emerge
Depends on how they reload through the portal and how their lines look. Georgia played a garbage schedule with a new qb and they are going to go undefeated again because of whats around him. Next year has to see improvement regardless of record. Coaching mistakes cleaned up. Situational play on offense and defense needs to show improvement. Just show some cohesive and consistent growth and start to form some kind of identity on offense and defense.
Lol... "scared money don't make money." We shall see if the powers that be will pony up the needed NIL cash to compete with the big boys, because the days of waiting 3 or 4 recruiting classes to mature and get good, while hoping all of your recruits pan out, are over. We have to augment our classes with Portal Players. And the ones we do get (not many) have to be sure fire great in positions of need. I know... easier said than done. But... fortunately for Gator Nation, we have an "army" to help Napier get the right portal players.
I think they are looking ahead and building young talent now. Tge best left tackle on earth would have been a waste of money this year. When Lagway and this incoming class is ready is the time to unload on the portal. Mertz and the skill players we have now will do well next year if we can buy a line but some of the young kids in the program are going to need to step up. You can’t just throw five talented guys on the field and think they are a line.
