Sep 13, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers offensive lineman Braelin Moore (61) tackles Florida Gators defensive back Dijon Johnson (27) after an interception during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

The start to the 2025 season has been the stuff of nightmares for the Florida Gators.

Coach Billy Napier's team entered the campaign ranked in the top-15 with legitimate hopes of reaching the College Football Playoff. Now, after a 1-3 start that has featured three-straight losses against South Florida, LSU and Miami, the Gators have a fairly unlikely path to simply reaching bowl eligibility.

The offense and quarterback DJ Lagway have been an unmitigated disaster this season, and that has overshadowed the play of the defense, which has given UF a chance to win every game so far. However, that defense has taken a major hit this week.

After exiting last week's loss to Miami in the second half, starting cornerback Dijon Johnson will officially miss the remainder of the season after undergoing knee surgery on Tuesday. Napier confirmed Johnson's status during the SEC coaches teleconference on Wednesday.

It's a tough loss for a Florida cornerback group that has been impressive so far this season. Johnson had eight tackles and an interception, which came against LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, on the season.

With Johnson out the rest of the way, the Gators turn to Cormani McClain, a former Colorado player and five-star recruit who transferred to Gainesville as a preferred walk-on last season. He earned a scholarship and found a role in UF's two deep, and he'll now be relied on to start down the stretch.

McClain has four tackles on the season and notched an interception in the loss to Miami.

The road doesn't get any easier for the Gators and Napier, who currently occupies one of the hottest seats in the nation. A 1-5 start looks very likely with the next two games coming against Texas and Texas A&M teams ranked in the top 10, and Napier — who holds a 20-22 record in his fourth season in Gainesville — may not be able to survive that stretch amid Florida's worst start to a season since 1986.

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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: When it rains, it pours: Florida loses starting CB for the season

Reporting by Tyler Nettuno, College Sports Wire / College Sports Wire

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