Is History Repeating Itself? The Gators Hope So

There’s something in the air in the Swamp — and it smells like Florida Gators national championships.

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Deja Blue and Orange

Florida fans are still fired up after the men’s basketball team brought home its first national championship since 2007.

Yet, there’s more to this moment than just the swarming of University Avenue. The perseverance of the team sparked memories of Al Horford and the dynasty Billy Donovan built in Gainesville. Now, Walter Clayton Jr. was leading the pack, and something about it all feels familiar.

But the déjà vu doesn’t stop there. Across football, basketball and beyond, the patterns are hard to ignore. Is it just a coincidence, or is history repeating itself?

Football Parallels

Back in 2005, Florida football ended the season with a bowl win and nine victories under first-year head coach, and Hall-of-Famer Urban Meyer. What came the following year? A national championship.

This past season, Florida head coach Billy Napier’s team had a similar ending. Florida finished the 2024-25 season 8-5, capped off with a Gasparilla Bowl win.

Why does that matter? If history holds any weight, the pattern presents a possibility of securing a national championship in the upcoming season.

Beyond the nostalgia, there are real reasons to believe Gators football is on the verge of something special. DJ Lagway, a five-star recruit and freshman quarterback, has already given fans a glimpse of what’s possible. After starting quarterback Graham Mertz went down midseason with a concussion, Lagway stepped in. He led Florida to wins over LSU and Ole Miss, two games many didn’t expect the Gators to pull out.

Now, heading into 2025, Lagway is Florida’s top quarterback. He’s got the arm, the legs and the confidence to lead. On top of that, Napier flipped multiple key recruits in the offseason and kept crucial players, like tight end Hayden Hansen, from entering the transfer portal.

The vibe feels focused, hungry and not drastically different from the buildup to the 2006 season.

Will the Gator Boys Stay Hot?

Now, let’s rewind to basketball.

The 2004-05 Gators basketball team finished the year with 24 wins but fell in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Sound familiar?

In 2023-24, Florida head coach Todd Golden‘s squad also finished its season with 24 wins and a disappointing first-round loss. Yet, that didn’t stop it from bouncing back to take home a national title only a year later. The last time Florida followed that path was under Billy Donovan, winning back-to-back championships in 2006 and 2007.

Now, just like back then, the roster is shifting. Several key players are moving on. Junior forward Sam Alexis and guard Denzel Aberdeen recently announced their entrance into the transfer portal. Sophomore forward Alex Condon declared for the 2025 NBA Draft, where he’s projected as a first-round pick. Senior guard Will Richard is weighing his options, and Clayton Jr. has yet to decide if he’ll return or go pro.

Still, there’s talent sticking around. Sophomore forward Thomas Haugh revealed himself as a difference maker in the playoffs, showing major growth from last year. Additionally, Princeton transfer Xavian Lee — Haugh’s former high school teammate — selected Gainesville as his new home.

Is there another repeat on the horizon, or will momentum leave with the departing stars?