As teams finalize their rosters, the way-too-early preseason top-25 rankings will continue to fluctuate based on various decisions being made.
For the Florida Gators, this meant a drop from 15th on ESPN’s Jeff Borzello’s list at the end of May to 21st at the beginning of July.
However, this shift isn’t due to any missteps by the Gators but rather because other teams have improved their rosters.
A case in point is the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Arkansas secured a portal commitment from highly ranked D.J. Wagner and saw the return of Trevon Brazile, a potential 2025 draft prospect, since Borzello’s May update.
So, there’s no need to worry—Florida is still performing well in the rankings.
In fact, one aspect Borzello appreciates about the Gators is their incoming portal class.
“Florida struck gold in the portal last spring and reeled in three transfers this year,” Borzello wrote on ESPN. “The Gators also have All-American candidate and one of the nation’s top scorers in Walter Clayton Jr., and Will Richard is a double-figure scorer. Former Florida Atlantic star Alijah Martin will slot in seamlessly. Todd Golden should have plenty of frontcourt options too: Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh are back, while Sam Alexis (Chattanooga) and Rueben Chinyelu (Washington State) have arrived.”
Golden prioritized bolstering the defense, bringing in coveted rim protector Chinyelu from Washington State and high-impact forward Alexis from Chattanooga this summer to join Condon and Haugh.
Adding All-American candidate Walter Clayton Jr. and 3-point threat Will Richard to the mix makes it clear why the Gators should start the next season inside the top 25.
Todd Golden has assembled a formidable squad for 2024-25, and they won’t be underestimated as they might have been in past seasons.
