Florida Gators Hope 2025 Season Unlocks Full Playmaking Potential from Tight End Room with New Scheme and Development Focus
The Florida Gators enter the 2025 college football season facing a familiar question: can they finally extract elite production from the tight end position? Under head coach Billy Napier, the tight end room has shown flashes of promise, but consistency and explosive output have been hard to come by. As the Gators prepare for what could be a pivotal season in Napier’s tenure, unlocking more playmaking potential from their tight ends may be the missing piece in building a dynamic offense.
Tight ends have historically played a vital role in both the run and pass games at Florida, dating back to legends like Ben Troupe and more recently Kyle Pitts, whose 2020 season under Dan Mullen remains a gold standard for the position in Gainesville. Pitts’ blend of athleticism, size, and route running made him a matchup nightmare and a top-five NFL Draft pick. Since then, however, Florida has struggled to replicate that kind of dominance at tight end, even as recruiting efforts and offensive schemes have tried to reestablish the position’s prominence.
One of the key challenges has been balancing the dual demands placed on modern college tight ends. The position requires players to be proficient blockers in the run game while also being reliable targets in the passing attack. Florida’s tight end usage in recent years has leaned more toward traditional in-line duties, especially under Napier’s run-heavy, pro-style offensive scheme. However, there are signs that the coaching staff is looking to diversify and modernize its approach heading into 2025.
Spring practices and early summer workouts have revealed subtle shifts in the way Florida is deploying its tight ends. There’s a renewed emphasis on getting these athletes into space, utilizing motion, flex alignments, and quick-hitting route concepts to create mismatches against linebackers and safeties. This shift is reflective of broader trends in college football, where elite offenses often feature tight ends who can function as oversized slot receivers. Think of what Georgia did with Brock Bowers or what Iowa has built with a steady pipeline of NFL-ready tight ends.
For Florida, the 2025 roster has some intriguing talent in the tight end room that could flourish with the right opportunities. Junior Arlis Boardingham, for example, is a name generating considerable buzz. A former wide receiver turned tight end, Boardingham brings a unique athletic profile to the position. His ability to stretch the field and create separation makes him an ideal candidate for increased targets in the passing game. If he continues to improve as a blocker and becomes more consistent with his hands, he could emerge as a true difference-maker.
Another player to watch is freshman Landon Rogers, a four-star recruit out of Texas who impressed in high school with his physicality and route running. Rogers is still developing, particularly in terms of adjusting to SEC-level speed and strength, but the raw tools are there. Coaches have been excited about his catch radius and willingness to engage in the run game, making him a candidate to see meaningful snaps as the season progresses.
Then there’s Hayden Hansen, a redshirt sophomore who has been a steady presence in practices and has earned praise for his work ethic and blocking prowess. While not as flashy as Boardingham or Rogers, Hansen’s reliability could make him an asset in two-tight end sets and red-zone packages. His ability to carve out a niche role would provide Florida with flexibility and depth, both of which are essential in the physically demanding SEC schedule.
Of course, talent alone is not enough. For Florida’s tight ends to take the next step in 2025, it will require a schematic commitment from the offensive staff. Napier and offensive coordinator Rob Sale must find creative ways to incorporate the position into the weekly game plan. That means more than just checkdowns or occasional seam routes. It requires designing plays that highlight the unique skill sets of each player—whether that’s isolating a linebacker in coverage, running tight end screens, or utilizing play-action to create space downfield.
One potential wrinkle in Florida’s 2025 offense could be the increased use of tempo and spread principles. While Napier has largely favored a conservative approach, there is mounting pressure—from fans and analysts alike—to open things up and allow playmakers more opportunities to impact the game. Incorporating more spread formations could help the tight ends by reducing box congestion and forcing defenses to declare coverages earlier. This would allow a player like Boardingham to operate in more favorable matchups, particularly against nickel defenders or undersized safeties.
Another factor that could influence tight end productivity is quarterback play. For the tight ends to shine, Florida needs stability and accuracy under center. As of now, Graham Mertz is expected to return as the starter, bringing with him a full year of experience in Napier’s system. Mertz showed flashes of strong decision-making and touch in 2024, and if he can take a step forward in anticipation and timing, the tight ends could benefit significantly. Quarterbacks often rely on tight ends as safety valves and intermediate threats, especially when under pressure. A confident Mertz, willing to trust his tight ends in tight windows, would go a long way toward boosting their statistical output.
Depth and durability will also be tested. The SEC is a physical league, and injuries are part of the game. Florida must keep its tight ends healthy if it hopes to rely on them for consistent production. Strength and conditioning coach Mark Hocke has reportedly focused on increasing durability and recovery time among skill position players, a necessary step considering the grinding nature of an SEC campaign. If the unit can avoid the injury bug, they have a real chance to surprise opponents who may underestimate them based on past years’ production.
It’s also worth noting the recruiting outlook beyond 2025. Florida has several tight end targets in the 2026 class who are watching closely to see how the current players are used. High-profile recruits want to join programs that showcase their abilities and give them a clear path to the NFL. If Florida can demonstrate a commitment to involving the tight end in meaningful ways this season, it could have ripple effects that strengthen the position group for years to come.
Ultimately, the success of Florida’s tight ends in 2025 will hinge on execution, creativity, and opportunity. The raw ingredients are there: athletic players with diverse skill sets, an experienced quarterback, and a coaching staff that appears open to evolution. Whether those pieces come together in a way that truly unlocks their playmaking potential remains to be seen.
If they do, it could be transformative. A high-functioning tight end group gives the Gators’ offense a level of unpredictability and balance that has been lacking. It forces defenses to account for threats across the middle and opens things up for wide receivers and running backs alike. It also helps in critical game situations—third downs, red zone opportunities, and short-yardage scenarios—where tight ends often become the go-to options.
The path won’t be easy. The SEC is full of elite defenders and coaching staffs that excel at game planning. But if Florida can weaponize its tight ends and lean into their versatility, 2025 could be the year they rediscover the kind of tight end dominance that once made them one of the most feared offenses in college football. For now, the potential is there. The question is whether the Gators will tap into it.
