What Lindy’s Sports’ preseason magazine said about the Florida Gators

College football magazines have the hit the shelves ahead of the 2024 season. Florida Gators running back Montrell Johnson Jr. graces the cover of Lindy’s Sports in the Sunshine State.

Johnson has led UF in rushing and averaged 5.4 yards per carry in each of the last two years, totaling 817 yards and five touchdowns in 2023 after 841 yards and 10 TDs in 2022.

Johnson is preseason first team All-SEC selection by Lindy’s Sports, which also ranks him as the No. 14 running back nationally and one of UF’s top five prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft.

Despite the preseason love for Johnson and some other players, the publication also covers the pressure facing Florida coach Billy Napier after an 11-14 record through two years.

In its rankings of seven coaches on the hot seat in 2024, Lindy’s Sports has Napier second on the list with his seat described as “scorching” behind Arkansas coach Sam Pittman.

“Boosters need way more bang for their Gatorbucks than two losing seasons,” the section on Napier said.

Lindy’s Sports also spoke with an opposing coach anonymously for their thoughts on Napier and the Gators heading into 2024. It was not a glowing review.

“Napier got his butt handed to him in recruiting this year. He got poached at the end. I think Billy is really smart and a good coach, but I think he’s too nice for that place. I don’t think he has control of the players. You need a Nick Saban enema at Florida. Billy is not a huge disciplinarian. That’s what happened with (Will) Muschamp and (Jim) McElwain and (Dan) Mullen. Florida has been mismanaged by every head coach they’ve had since Urban Meyer…

“Kirby Smart, at Georgia, built a championship-level defense first. Alabama built a championship-level defense first under Saban. You’ve got to get the defense right. Billy Napier hasn’t played Florida Gator defense. Florida opens with Miami in Gainesville. If the Gators don’t win that game, Napier might not make it to October. That is a huge game for Billy.”

Johnson is one of eight returning offensive starters for the Gators, who bring back six starters on defense. Here’s what Lindy’s Sports said about Florida in its 2024 season preview edition.

Lindy’s Sports

– SEC projection: The Gators are picked to finish 12th in the SEC ahead of South Carolina, Arkansas, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt.

– No. 37 preseason ranking: “The nation’s toughest schedule, bad portal losses, circling the drain?”

– Good news: “Looks like you could build a program around 5-star freshman QB DJ Lagway.“

– Bad news: “RB Trevor Etienne and edge rusher Princely Umanmielen left for other SEC programs.”

– Lindy’s call: “Facing the nation’s toughest schedule … a (fourth) straight losing season for the Gators?”

– Lindy’s All-SEC picks: RB Montrell Johnson Jr. (first team), WR Eugene Wilson III (second team), P Jeremy Crawshaw (second team)

– Lindy’s top players nationally: Johnson (No. 14 running back), Wilson (No. 16 wide receiver), Crawshaw (No. 3 punter)

– Returning starters: 16 (8 offense, 6 defense), punter, kicker

– Players to watch: QB Graham Mertz, RB Montrell Johnson Jr., WR Eugene Wilson III, NT Cam Jackson, LB Shemar James, LB Grayson Howard, CB Jason Marshall Jr.

– Primary strengths: “Florida will feature a balanced offense with Mertz leading the passing game and Johnson running the football. More speed, length and depth on both sides of the ball should result in more big plays on offense and defense.”

– Potential problems: “Florida’s schedule is no picnic, with 11 power conference opponents in 12 games, including the nation’s toughest stretch run. Florida lost its top pass rusher (Princely Umanmielen, 7 sacks in 2023) to Ole Miss and its second-leading rusher, big-play threat Trevor Etienne (8 TDs in 2023) to rival Georgia. That stings on multiple levels.”

– Overview: “Florida is getting deeper and more experienced, but will it result in more wins against such a daunting schedule? The Gators may need to decide whether to turn the keys of the offense over to DJ Lagway if they struggle out of the gate to continue to build for the future. Florida also must show it can play with more physicality on both lines of scrimmage against SEC opponents.”

– Key number (31): “Number of points the Gators were out-scored by in the second half during their season-ending five-game losing streak. Florida needs to learn to sustain energy and execution for a full four quarters to have more success this season.”

– Most valuable player: QB Graham Mertz — “Florida will go as far as Mertz will take them. … More is expected after Mertz passed for 2,903 yards and 20 TDs to just 3 interceptions… He led the SEC in completion percentage (72.9 percent) after transferring from Wisconsin… Helped bring in former Wisconsin teammate Chimere Dike, who he connected with 47 times in 2022. … Will also serve as a mentor to 5-star freshman quarterback DJ Lagway.”

– Emerging star: WR Eugene Wilson III — “Tre had a team-high six TD catches, while finishing second on the team in receptions (61) and receiving yards (538)… Don’t be surprised to see him return punts or kickoffs on jet sweeps to take advantage of his blazing speed and playmaking ability. … After averaging only 8.8 yards per reception last year, figures to be more of a downfield threat in 2024.”

– Top newcomer: LB Grayson “Pup” Howard — “At 6-4 and 235 pounds, he brings size and physicality to the Florida linebacking corps that has been lacking in recent seasons…. Expect Howard, a South Carolina transfer, to start alongside Shemar James and immediately make an impact on the Florida defense. As a true freshman last year, he had 19 tackles, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble for the Gamecocks.”

– Other impact newcomers: EDGE LJ McCray, LB Myles Graham, OT Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson

– Top 5 NFL Draft prospects: CB Jason Marshall Jr., RB Montrell Johnson Jr., OL Damieon George Jr., S Trikweze Bridges and QB Graham Mertz

– The Gators have eight preseason top-20 teams on their schedule, according to Lindy’s Sports: Georgia (1), Texas (3), Ole Miss (5), FSU (10), LSU (13), Tennessee (15), Miami (17) and Texas A&M (19). Lindy’s Sports also ranks Kentucky No. 35 and UCF No. 43.

– Lindy’s Sports on Florida’s schedule: “As if Billy Napier’s seat isn’t already a little toasty? The Gators positively cannot start the season even lukewarm, since in November, they will line up on consecutive weeks against the gauntlet of Georgia, Texas, LSU, Ole Miss and FSU. That’s facing a combined 59-9 from last season without so much as a cupcake or bye week to take a breath.”

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