Billy Napier turns attention toward 2025 following Gasparilla Bowl (Ep. 265)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators
Release Date: 12/24/2024
DJ progresses, VBIII shines and Billy shuns outside opinions (Ep. 290)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators
DJ Lagway’s recovery from a calf injury continues, with Florida’s quarterback participating in 11-on-11 for the first time in fall camp. A modest step could have massive implications, especially given the Gators’ uncertainty behind him. Meanwhile, injuries at receiver have given true freshman Vernell Brown III even more opportunity to establish a key role. UF’s talent, depth and direction have earned preseason praise, including a No. 15 ranking, for coach Billy Napier’s squad. The fourth-year coach is having none of it, dismissing outside opinions as irrelevant and insulting. Mark...
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Clock is ticking on QB DJ Lagway as Gators’ star turns 20 (Ep. 289)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators
Florida quarterback DJ Lagway’s health remains a concern as the Gators’ Aug. 30 season opener looms. Lagway’s workload will be modified for a while because of a left calf injury as he also continues to progress from an offseason shoulder issue. UF’s fortunes likely hinge on the availability of the sophomore, who turned 20 a day after the Gators checked in at No. 15 in the preseason AP Top 25 featuring 10 SEC teams - six of the Florida opponents. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark run through the Gators’ lengthy injury report, their tenuous quarterback situation and a...
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DJ returns and Gators ranked as fall camp ramps up (Ep. 288)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators
Florida quarterback DJ Lagway is throwing in front of reporters for the first time since the Gasparilla Bowl, a positive step as he returns from shoulder, core and calf injuries. Lagway’s health could be the key to Billy Napier’s fourth season, though the embattled coach now has a roster better equipped to handle setbacks and able to support whoever lines up at QB. Napier hopes he doesn’t have to put his team’s depth to the test against a schedule featuring seven teams ranked in the coaches’ poll, five of them ahead of the No. 17 Gators. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar...
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Fall camp preview, Golden gets a 'Bates-y' (Ep. 287)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators
Florida opens fall camp Wednesday as Billy Napier begins his fourth season in Gainesville. Napier has put together the Gators best roster in years, but all eyes will be on sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway as he returns from a shoulder injury. While Lagway’s health status remains a mystery, coach Todd Golden revealed transfer guard Boogie Fland is recovering from sports hernia surgery as the reigning national champions conclude summer workouts. Golden spoke to reporters at the unveiling of a portrait by UF linebacker James Bates, who has painted one for each of the school’s 20 national...
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Gators picked 6th in SEC, DJ snubbed but ready for fall camp (Ep. 286)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators
SEC media picked Florida to finish sixth a season after Billy Napier’s team was picked to finish 12th in the expanded 16-team conference. 2024 newcomer Texas is expected to win the league, ahead of Georgia. Each is on UF’s daunting 2025 schedule, but Napier is confident his team can go toe-to-toe with anyone. A big reason is sophomore QB DJ Lagway, who claimed a clean bill of health at Media Days but was left off the three All-SEC teams. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar break it all down heading into the weekend. SEC media poll (0:00) DJ Lagway behind (8:07) Wide range of...
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Walt’s last score with Gators, Oli’s summer, SEC Media Days’ arrival (Ep. 285)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators
All-American guard Walter Clayton Jr. was recognized one final time after he spearheaded the Gators’ national title, earning SEC Male Athlete of the Year honors. The Lake Wales native became the record 14th UF athlete to earn the distinction, including three in a row, and first SEC men’s basketball player since 2012. Clayton is onto his career’s next chapter, playing in the NBA summer league along with former backcourt mates Will Richard and Alijah Martin. Meanwhile, 7-9 19-year-old Olivier Rioux just wrapped up his summer with Canada’s U-19 as he aims for even a minor role with the...
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Gators’ championship backcourt off to the NBA, NCAA settlement arrives (Ep. 284)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators
Florida’s national title-winning guards Walter Clayton, Alijah Martin and Will Richard are headed to the NBA after the trio was among 60 players drafted. Selected No. 18, Clayton improved his value as much as just about anyone, while Martin’s stock also rose considerably — to pick No. 39 — during his one season with the Gators. Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon now push to become 2026 first-rounders themselves. Each first cashed in before the July 1 arrival of the House v. NCAA settlement aims to bring structure and transparency to student-athlete compensation after a four-year period when...
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Reigning champs return, NCAA settlement arrives (Ep. 283)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators
Todd Golden’s Gators began summer workouts with several new faces, key veterans and one goal in mind: The ability of transfer point guards Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee to spearhead a rebuilt backcourt will be key to Florida’s aims to repeat. Meanwhile, UF athletic director Scott Stricklin soon will enter uncharted waters with the House v. NCAA settlement set to go into effect July 1. During the lastest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar have plenty to unpack as summer is upon us. Catching up (0:00) Mens basketball update (5:46) Schedule released (18:20) Football (26:02) AD Scott Stricklin on...
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Mt. Sully erupts, softball exits early as spring falls flat (Ep. 282)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators
Following a no-show on the field for Kevin O’Sullivan’s baseball team the longtime Gators coach had no place to hide. He was caught on film delivering a profanity-laced tirade at on-site officials. At least, UF’s softball team kept it classy despite disappointing results by Tim Walton’s squad. A week after men’s golf came up short and lacrosse flopped at the Final Four, it’s been a tough close to the spring for the Gators. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark wrap up the sports calendar with only track and field remaining and summer workouts beginning in...
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Condon’s return, DJ’s workload, college football’s future (Ep. 281)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators
The Gators received a major boost when Alex Condon withdrew from the NBA draft. Florida will open practice June 9 with a team poised to challenge for another national title. The football team’s hopes rest largely on the health of DJ Lagway. Billy Napier said this week he’s increasing his workload and should be 100% when the season opens. By then, college football should have some answers to some big questions surrounding the sport. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar tackle a litany of topics three months from the start of the 2025 season. Alex Condon is back (0:00) Basketball...
info_outlineThe Gators and DJ Lagway weren’t at their best against outmatched Tulane, but didn’t need to be during a 25-point Gasparilla Bowl win. But Florida’s fortunes under Billy Napier will hinge on how he performs this offseason. The transfer portal closes soon, staff changes are likely pending and the implementation of a front office is inevitable. During an impromptu, holiday edition of Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar break it all down for a final time in 2024.
- Christmas comes early for UF (0:00)
- Positions to fill (13:07)
- Playoff game ratings/sellouts? (21:29)
- Gasparilla Bowl (31:55)
- Turning point (33:47)
- Thumbs up (36:57)
- Thumbs down (38:58)
- Second guess (41:53)
- Game ball (45:03)
- Biggest concern (50:11)
- Final thought (54:17)
- Tiger and Charlie at PNC Championship (56:23)
- Jeremy Foley’s Corner (58:34)