Florida Athletic Director Says School Is Open to Hosting Pro Games amid COVID-19
May 14, 2020
GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 27: Florida Gators athletic director Scott Stricklin speaks during an introductory press conference for new football head coach Dan Mullen at the Bill Heavener football complex on November 27, 2017 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
University of Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin said Thursday the school is willing to provide its facilities to professional teams searching for alternative locations amid the coronavirus pandemic.
ESPN's Andrea Adelson provided the full statement from Stricklin:
"Our priority is the well-being of Gator student-athletes, staff and fans, and we are working toward the day when we can once again engage with those groups safely on campus. Following Governor [Ron] DeSantis' comment yesterday inviting other pro teams to participate in our state, I reached out to remind him that UF and Gainesville have world class health care facilities, an iconic football stadium, a state-of-the-art basketball arena and a brand-new baseball ballpark within two hours of cities with professional franchises. We've been receiving excellent guidance from our state and health care officials, and when those groups believe it is safe to host college and pro sporting events in Florida, we will be prepared to do so."
DeSantis said Wednesday the state is looking to provide a "safe" environment for pro teams at a time when "people are starved" for sports.
"If you have a team in an area where they just won't let them operate, we'll find a place for you here in the state of Florida," DeSantis told reporters.
The offers come after NBA commissioner Adam Silver said on a conference call with players Friday the league was considering Orlando, home of the Disney World complex, as a potential "bubble" city to resume its 2019-20 season along with Las Vegas, per ESPN.
Meanwhile, the status of the Gators' college football season remains unclear after NCAA president Mark Emmert said Friday, "If a school doesn't reopen, then they're not going to be playing sports. It's really that simple."
The University of Florida moved all classes online on March 16. A date for students returning to campus hasn't been announced.
Tim Tebow, Billy Donovan Among Stars Announced for 2020 Florida Hall of Fame
Apr 27, 2020
** FILE ** In this Aug. 30, 2008 file photo, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow looks for a receiver during the first half of a football game against Hawaii in Gainesville, Fla. Tebow didn't have the same gaudy numbers this season as he did last year, but he might have been even more valuable to the top-ranked Gators. If voters see it the same way, Tebow would become the second player to win the Heisman Trophy in consecutive years. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
An impressive college football career has earned Tim Tebow induction to the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame:
Tebow headlines the nine-person 2020 class that was announced Monday.
The full class includes Andrew DeClercq (basketball), Shaune Fraser (men's swimming and diving), Brandon James (football), Mariam Kevkhishvili (track and field), Hamid Mirzadeh (tennis), Brandon Spikes (football), Gemma Spofforth (swimming) and Billy Donovan (basketball).
Eight of the entrees have been deemed Gator Greats by the university's F Club, while Donovan is considered an honorary letterwinner after coaching the men's basketball team from 1996-2015.
Donovan is the most successful coach in the program's history, leading the Gators to back-to-back national championships in 2006 and '07 behind stars like Joakim Noah, Al Horford and Corey Brewer.
Not only were these the only titles the men's basketball team ever earned, but Donovan also led Florida to four of its five all-time Final Fours.
DeClercq was a key player on the other Final Four team in 1994, earning his way into the class.
Still, Tebow is the most notable member of the class during a college football career that included two national championships and a Heisman Trophy in 2007 as a sophomore. He was a finalist three times for the top individual award in the sport.
The quarterback finished his four-year career with 88 passing touchdowns and 57 rushing touchdowns before becoming a first-round pick in the NFL draft.
In January, ESPNlisted Tebow as the No. 76 college football player of all time, second among Gators behind only running back Emmitt Smith at No. 70.
Former 5-Star WR Justin Shorter Announces Transfer to Florida from Penn State
Jan 26, 2020
STATE COLLEGE, PA - AUGUST 31: Sedrick Thomas #29 of the Idaho Vandals chases Justin Shorter #6 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half at Beaver Stadium on August 31, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Justin Shorter is trading in Penn State Nittany Lions navy blue for a lighter shade.
The former 2018 5-star wide receiver announced his transfer to the Florida Gators on Sunday:
Shorter received 16 offers coming out of South Brunswick High School (New Jersey), though Florida was not among them. The 6'4" and 226-pound receiver entered the NCAA transfer portal in late November after recording just 15 catches for 157 yards and no touchdowns across 11 games as a freshman and sophomore at Penn State.
247Sports ranked Shorter first among New Jersey and wide receiver prospects as well as seventh nationally in the 2018 recruitment class.
247Sports'Brian Dohnevaluated Shorter. It read, in part:
"As a receiver, he will continue to developing his ball skills and route running but he is quick out of his breaks, he high-points the ball well and he has speed to get down the field. His size makes him physically difficult for cornerbacks to jam him. He can block, and as he gets stronger, he will get better at it. He has the length and frame to add weight and be a very good outside linebacker as well because of his burst, he ability to change direction and his instincts. He covers a ton of ground quickly in three steps."
Gators receivers were led by Van Jefferson last season with 49 catches, 657 yards and six touchdowns. Tight end Kyle Pitts was narrowly behind him with 54 catches, 649 yards and five touchdowns.
The Gators will need to replace Jefferson, Freddie Swain, Tyrie Cleveland and Josh Hammond. Swain led the team in receiving touchdowns with seven.
These departures will leave plenty of room for Shorter to flourish at Florida.
Florida CB CJ Henderson Declares for 2020 NFL Draft, Will Skip Bowl Game
Dec 6, 2019
Florida defensive back CJ Henderson takes up his position during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
The Florida Gators will be without one of their best defensive players for their bowl game.
On Friday, cornerback CJ Henderson announced he will forgo his senior season and enter the 2020 NFL draft. He also revealed he will not play in his team's bowl game and thanked his supporters, saying, "My time as a Gator has been a dream come true, and I am truly blessed to be in this position."
Henderson is one of Florida's best playmakers and is routinely tasked with matching up against the opponent's best receiver.
He appeared in 30 games over the last three seasons and finished the 2019 campaign with a team-leading 11 pass breakups. He is also 6'1", 202 pounds, and Thomas Goldkamp of 247Sports noted "his athleticism and length make him a top prospect at the position, something that will surely appeal to NFL scouts."
It would be a surprise if Henderson didn't get picked in the first round.
Bleacher Report's Matt Miller ranked him as the 20th-best player on his most recent big board and projected him to be selected 17th overall by the Indianapolis Colts in his most recent mock draft.
Henderson is "a feisty cornerback with NFL-level speed and instincts," Miller wrote.
As for the bowl game he will miss, Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report projected Florida to be included in the New Year's Six games with a Cotton Bowl matchup against Memphis.
Florida QB Feleipe Franks Announces He'll Either Transfer or Enter NFL Draft
Dec 1, 2019
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - SEPTEMBER 14: Feleipe Franks #13 of the Florida Gators runs with the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Feleipe Franks is leaving Florida, the Gators quarterback announced Sunday on Instagram.
"It has been my dream to play at the University of Florida. To play for a top program and contribute to winning games," Franks wrote. "I have been so fortunate to meet as many amazing people as I have while being here. Coaches, players and fans as well. My heart will always be a part of the Gator family. ... I plan on exploring my options of entering the NFL draft or playing my final year elsewhere."
Franks opened 2019 as Florida's starting quarterback but suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the team's 29-21 win over Kentucky on Sept. 14. He finishes his Gators career with 4,593 yards, 38 touchdowns, 17 interceptions and a 59 percent completion rate.
With redshirt junior Kyle Trask finishing the regular season well as Florida's starter, Franks would have had a difficult battle ahead to regain his old job. His decision will help the Gators avoid what would inevitably become a quarterback battle when he returns from his injury.
Although Franks is eligible for the 2020 NFL draft, his injury and generally inconsistent performance likely rule that out as an option right now. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller didn't list Franks among the top 10 quarterbacks available in his most recent big board.
Were he to change schools, Franks could use his final year of eligibility to bolster his draft stock for 2021. Having spent four years at Florida, he can play immediately next season as a graduate transfer.
Now that he has made his intentions clear, Franks is likely to get a lot of interest from programs looking for a short-term solution at quarterback.
Bo Nix Struggles as No. 7 Auburn Suffers Upset 24-13 to No. 10 Florida
Oct 5, 2019
Florida wide receiver Freddie Swain (16) outruns a tackle by Auburn defensive back Daniel Thomas on his way to a 64-yard touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
No. 10 Florida remains undefeated after a 24-13 victory over No. 7 Auburn.
The Gators (6-0) fed off the home crowd at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday while the defense held the Tigers to 269 total yards from scrimmage with four turnovers in a key SEC win.
Though Florida had been beating up on inferior competition through the season's first month, the squad earned its biggest win of the year and a huge resume boost. The loss drops Auburn to 5-1 with games against LSU, Georgia and Alabama still on the schedule.
Notable Performances
Kyle Trask: 19-of-31, 234 yards, two TDs
Lamical Perine: 14 carries, 130 yards, one TD
Freddie Swain: six catches, 146 yards, one TD
Bo Nix: 11-of-27, 145 yards, one TD, three INTs
JaTarvious Whitlow: 18 carries, 81 yards
Kyle Trask Overcomes Knee Injury in Florida Win
Kyle Trask appeared done for the day and possibly more after he took a hard hit to his knee in the second quarter, but he returned after a few series to the surprise of many:
Meanwhile, the defense made stop after stop to prevent Auburn from taking the lead.
Tigers quarterback Bo Nix had no time to pass, and the visiting team was shut down several times on 3rd-and-short attempts, showcasing the power of the Gators defensive line.
The quarterback's toughness was the missing piece needed to pull off the win.
Bo Nix Struggles in Hostile Environment
Nix was an Auburn hero in Week 1, but he looked like a true freshman Saturday.
The quarterback displayed poor accuracy throughout the day, completing 40.7 percent of his passes while throwing three interceptions:
Auburn forced four takeaways and got constant pressure on Trask.
However, it wasn't enough to earn the road win with the offense unable to get anything going.
What's Next?
The schedule doesn't get any easier for Florida, which will go on the road to face No. 5 LSU on Saturday. Auburn will have a week off before taking on Arkansas on the road Oct. 19.
Kyle Trask Saves Florida's Season with Improbable Comeback Win over Kentucky
Sep 15, 2019
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - SEPTEMBER 14: Kyle Trask #11 of the Florida Gators runs with the ball during the 29- 21 win against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
When Feleipe Franks was carted off the field with what we later learned was a likely season-ending dislocated ankle, it instantly felt like AP No. 9 Florida's quest for the 2019 College Football Playoff left with him.
The Gators were down 21-10 on the road late in the third quarter and had just turned the ball over on downs to a Kentucky team that dominated in the trenches for most of the night. Perhaps Franks could have dipped into his bag of tricks for some sort of miraculous comeback from that scenario, but throwing an inexperienced backup quarterback into that fire should have been a disaster waiting to happen.
Kyle Trask was up for the job, though, and he just may save this season for the Gators after he led them to a 29-21 comeback win Saturday.
"It was obviously a really hard time for the team because he's a great leader for us," Trask told ESPN's Molly McGrath after the victory. "But at the end of the day, we're still here to win the game."
The redshirt junior—who was, by far, the lowest-rated player in Florida's 2016 recruiting class and who previously had not attempted a pass in a game decided by fewer than three touchdowns—looked unfathomably comfortable from the outset.
Trask's first four snaps were all successful passing plays, as the Gators marched 54 yards in less than two minutes. Though he wasn't credited for anything on Lamical Perine's rushing touchdown, which got the Gators back to within one score, he made it possible with impressive awareness on what looked like a broken play:
On Florida's subsequent possession, Kentucky got a phenomenal bounce on a punt to pin Trask inside the Gators' 5-yard line. Unfazed yet again, he led the offense to three first downs, flipping the field and putting the pressure back on the Wildcats.
After a Sawyer Smith arm-punt and a pair of 15-yard penalties against Kentucky's defense, Trask connected with Kyle Pitts on a 30-yard strike to get inside the UK 10. On a designed keeper from the Kentucky 4, Trask finished the comeback with what proved to be the game-winning rushing touchdown.
Florida tacked on a 76-yard rushing touchdown in the process of outscoring Kentucky 19-0 in the fourth quarter.
Trask finished 9-of-13 for 126 yards along with that four-yard, six-point run. No sacks, no interceptions, no fumbles and no nerves displayed.
Solid work from a quarterback who probably wasn't expecting to take a single snap.
"Next man up" has been an unfortunately common refrain among SEC East quarterbacks coaches this season. South Carolina lost senior quarterback Jake Bentley to a fractured foot in Week 1. Kentucky's Terry Wilson suffered a torn patellar tendon late in last Saturday's win over Eastern Michigan. And now Florida needs to adjust to life without Franks for the first time since 2016.
"We feel we have three starting quarterbacks in our room," Florida head coach Dan Mullen told McGrath. "Now everybody got to see what type of quarterback we knew [Trask] was the whole time."
Trask had a relief performance for the ages in Lexington, but will he even be the starter next week against Tennessee?
As Mullen insinuated, there's a third man in the mix who didn't see the field against Kentucky—but who most assumed would become the starter if Franks ever relinquished the title. Emory Jones was a Top 100 recruit last year and one of the prized commitments of Florida's 2018 class.
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 07: Emory Jones #5 of the Florida Gators crosses the goal line for a touchdown during the game against the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam
Jones is a dual-threat guy, though, so it's not much of a surprise that the Gators opted to plug and play the backup who more closely matches Franks' skill set. Even though the plays Florida was calling before Franks' injury weren't working well, it would've been an abrupt, likely unsuccessful in-game pivot to the Jones-heavy packages.
But give Mullen and Co. a full week to plan how to use Jones, and it's a safe bet he'll be heavily involved in the offense.
The big question then becomes: Will the law firm of Trask and Jones be enough to keep Florida in the hunt for the playoff, given the lack of a star running back and an offensive line that was the team's biggest weakness long before the season began?
With all due respect to Tennessee, next week's home game against the Volunteers and the subsequent one against Towson will serve as a pair of warm-up affairs for the real challenges. Florida hosts No. 8 Auburn and travels to No. 4 LSU on the first two Saturdays of October, followed by the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party against No. 3 Georgia on Nov. 2.
Even with Franks, the Gators would have had a hard time winning at least two of those three games. Without their leader, even a 1-2 projection feels optimistic.
Then again, who thought at the beginning of the fourth quarter that Florida had any chance of coming back to beat Kentucky?
Every season, there seems to be one college football team that has a horseshoe up its you-know-what on a nearly weekly basis for three months, snatching enough victories from the jaws of defeat to at least play in a New Year's Six bowl, if not the playoff. Between the way the Gators won this game and the ugly opener against Miami, they just might be this year's unlikely contenders.
Kerry Miller covers college football and men's college basketball for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter,@kerrancejames.
Florida QB Feleipe Franks Likely Out for Season with Dislocated Ankle Injury
Sep 14, 2019
Florida Gators quarterback Feleipe Franks was carted off the field late in the third quarter of Saturday's game against the Kentucky Wildcats after he suffered a gruesome leg injury while attempting to scramble for a first down.
Florida head coach Dan Mullen said after the game Franks will likely miss the rest of the season with a dislocated ankle, per Edgar Thompson of the Orlando Sentinel.
Thompson also detailed the tough scene on the field:
Feleipe Franks right leg was pinned under him at the end of play. Trainers working on him now. WRs surrounding him taking a knee. Cart coming onto the field. Brutal.
Franks exited the game at Kroger Field after he connected on 12 of 17 pass attempts for 174 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also had 23 rushing yards on eight carries.
Redshirt junior Kyle Trask replaced Franks while the Gators trailed 21-10 and wound up leading the Gators to a comeback victory, 29-21.
Still, losing Franks is a tough blow. The redshirt junior had been the starter for much of the past two seasons. After sitting out his first year in Gainesville, he made 24 starts since the beginning of the 2017 season.
He led the Gators to a 10-3 record and a Peach Bowl victory last year. That helped Florida finish tied for seventh in thefinal AP Top 25 poll.
Franks followed that performance by leading Florida to a strong start to 2019. While helping the Gators win their first two games, he completed 77.8 percent of his passes for 524 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. He had recorded 45 rushing yards and a score on the ground as well.
Police: Florida Band Director Jay Watkins Attacked by Miami Fan After Game
Aug 26, 2019
A drum used by the Florida Gator Band Alumni sits on the field before an NCAA college football game against Mississippi Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
The University of Florida's band director, Jay Watkins, was injured by a fan after the Gators' 24-20 win on Saturday.
The band was walking back to the buses after the game when a Miami fan began "pushing her way through the band," according to local police (h/t Monique O. Madan of the Miami Herald.)
"The band director attempted to stop the female when he was grabbed from behind and was pushed to the ground. There was no description of the person who grabbed him given," Orlando police spokeswoman Wanda Miglio said. "The band director fell to the ground and received a minor laceration to the head. He was treated by the [Orlando Fire Department] and released. The band director did not need any stitches."
According to Madan, Watkins did not press charges after the incident.
Florida spokesperson Steve Orlando said a Miami fan cutting through the band wasn't unusual.
"When they go to out-of-town games, people do try to go through the line," he toldLarry Barszewskiof theSouth Florida Sun Sentinel. "They were just trying to cut through. He's trying to keep the continuity of the line, so he can keep track of his students."
Florida wasn't ready to officially blame the incident on a Miami fan, however.
"I have suspicions, but I don't know," Orlando added.
4-Star LB Prospect Derek Wingo Commits to Florida After Decommitting from PSU
Jun 22, 2019
Derek Wingo, a 4-star outside linebacker out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, decommitted from Penn State and announced his intention to play for the University of Florida on Saturday:
Wingo, who plays football at St. Thomas Aquinas, is the 165th-ranked prospect in the class of 2020, per 247Sports. He is No. 11 among outside linebackers.
Per 247Sports, the 6'2", 210-pound Wingo ran a 4.76-second 40-yard dash and registered a 31-inch vertical at The Opening in February.
The rich only get richer in Gainesville, as Wingo marks the Gators' eighth4-star prospectfrom the 2020 class. Per 247Sports, Florida's class is currently ranked seventh in the nation. Five of those recruits are defensive players.
As for Penn State, this is a tough blow for a Nittany Lions team that had only four4-star recruitsbefore Wingo decommitted, none of whom are in the top 100. Granted, recruits who aren't highly touted can become superstars, but Wingo was one of the jewels of Penn State's class of 2020.
Still, Penn State has some impressive talent coming in, led by a trio of 4-stars in outside linebacker Curtis Jacobs, defensive tackle Cole Brevard and wideout Jaden Dottin. PSU's class currently ranks 23rd.
