The Florida Gators are gearing up for a pivotal Week 2 showdown inside The Swamp, and on the eve of kickoff, the team has revealed its chosen leaders for the contest. As announced through Florida’s official X account, a trio of upperclassmen will wear the captain’s badge on Saturday against South Florida: senior defensive back Devin Moore, senior offensive lineman Austin Barber, and junior defensive back Dijon Johnson.
This leadership trio reflects the balance Billy Napier’s squad is striving to strike experience on both sides of the ball, and the type of poise needed to handle the pressure of a dangerous in-state opponent. Moore and Johnson will provide guidance and stability in the secondary, an area critical to slowing down a USF offense that showed real firepower in Week 1. Barber, meanwhile, anchors an offensive line that must keep the Gators’ backfield protected while paving the way for a running game that is expected to be central to Florida’s identity in 2025.
A Sneaky Test in Week 2
On paper, Florida enters as the heavy favorite. The Gators are currently listed as an 18.5-point favorite by BetMGM, and they carry the weight of being ranked No. 13 in the country. But while Florida fans may already be looking toward the looming SEC gauntlet, starting with No. 3 LSU on the road in Week 3, Napier and his staff will be doing everything possible to keep the team focused squarely on South Florida.
Why? Because this Bulls squad is no pushover. USF made a statement in their opener by dismantling then-No. 25 Boise State, showing both explosiveness on offense and physicality on defense. That kind of momentum makes them a dangerous “trap game” opponent, the sort that could catch a ranked team napping if attention starts drifting ahead to bigger matchups down the schedule.
It’s worth remembering that this is essentially the same South Florida roster that nearly pulled off one of the upsets of 2023. Against Alabama last season, the Bulls went toe-to-toe with the Crimson Tide for more than three quarters before ultimately falling short. That experience and the confidence it bred has made USF one of the most intriguing Group of Five teams heading into 2025.
Why the Captains Matter
That context makes the naming of captains more significant than just a pregame ritual. Leadership will be key on Saturday. Moore’s voice in the defensive huddle, Johnson’s energy on the field, and Barber’s steady presence up front all carry weight in a game where discipline and focus could determine whether Florida cruises to victory or gets dragged into a four-quarter fight.
For Napier, selecting players like Moore and Barber battle-tested veterans who understand the grind of an SEC season is a way of reinforcing the message that this team can’t afford to overlook anyone. Johnson, while younger, has quickly emerged as a player his teammates look to, and giving him a captain’s role in Week 2 is a sign of both his growth and the coaching staff’s faith in his maturity.
Eyes on The Swamp
Saturday’s matchup is set for a 4:15 p.m. ET kickoff on SEC Network, and the home crowd in Gainesville is sure to be electric. The Swamp is notoriously unfriendly to visiting opponents, but Florida knows atmosphere alone won’t win the game. Execution, focus, and leadership the very qualities embodied by this week’s captains will be the difference.
In the end, Florida has everything to lose and South Florida has everything to gain. A win for the Gators would keep their momentum intact as they turn toward LSU and the SEC schedule, while a stumble could derail early-season hopes before conference play even begins. For Napier and company, Week 2 is all about proving they can handle business, no matter who’s lined up across from them.