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Florida Gators

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Mia Williams Sparks Tech as Florida Series Becomes Transfer-Drama Showcase
sports1 day ago

Mia Williams Sparks Tech as Florida Series Becomes Transfer-Drama Showcase

Texas Tech beat Florida 16-7 to reach the Women's College World Series, but Mia Williams— daughter of Jason Williams and a transfer from Florida—dominated headlines after Florida pitchers hit her five times. Florida coach Tim Walton was ejected for arguing balls and strikes, and the teams did not shake hands postgame amid tense exchanges. Williams went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer, while Tech coach Gerry Glasco praised her performance as they advance to the WCWS.

Walton Ejected as Texas Tech Clinches Gainesville Super Regional, Ends Florida Softball Run
sports1 day ago

Walton Ejected as Texas Tech Clinches Gainesville Super Regional, Ends Florida Softball Run

Texas Tech surged to a 16-7 run-rule win in the Gainesville Super Regional to knock Florida out of the NCAA softball tournament, with Florida head coach Tim Walton ejected in the bottom of the fifth amid spirited arguing over the strike zone. The series featured multiple homers and tense moments, including Mia Williams being hit by pitches five times. Florida’s season ends at 52-11, while Texas Tech advances to the Women's College World Series.

Walton ejected as Florida’s season ends with Tech rout and heated postgame
sports1 day ago

Walton ejected as Florida’s season ends with Tech rout and heated postgame

Texas Tech routed Florida 16-7 in Game 3 to advance to the Women's College World Series, after Florida coach Tim Walton was ejected in the fifth inning amid heated exchanges; the postgame atmosphere included taunts and Florida players reportedly refusing to shake hands, giving the season a sour ending despite Walton’s overall successful year.

Green Bay adds Florida kicker Trey Smack in Round 6
sports1 month ago

Green Bay adds Florida kicker Trey Smack in Round 6

Florida's Trey Smack was the first kicker off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft, selected by the Green Bay Packers at No. 216 in Round 6. A two-time Groza semifinalist who made five 50-plus yard field goals in 2025 (including a Shrine Bowl 57-yarder), Smack joins Green Bay's kicking group alongside Brandon McManus and Lucas Havrisik. He finished his college career with an 82.8% field-goal percentage.

Packers Trade Up to Draft Florida K Trey Smack at No. 216
sports1 month ago

Packers Trade Up to Draft Florida K Trey Smack at No. 216

Green Bay moved up from the end of the sixth round to pick No. 216, sending Seattle two seventh-round selections to select Florida kicker Trey Smack. Smack, a 6-1¼, 188-pounder with a booming leg, set Florida’s record with 10 made field goals of 50+ yards in the last three seasons and owns career marks of 53-of-64 FG (82.8%) and 100-of-101 extra points (99%). He comes in as the Packers’ third kicker, behind Brandon McManus and Lucas Havrisik.

Chargers draft Florida’s Jake Slaughter at 63, shifting him to guard
sports1 month ago

Chargers draft Florida’s Jake Slaughter at 63, shifting him to guard

The Los Angeles Chargers selected Florida center Jake Slaughter with the 63rd pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and listed him at guard, signaling a move from center as they reshape the interior with Tyler Biadasz at center and Trevor Penning at guard. Slaughter, a three-year Florida starter and Rimington Trophy finalist, is viewed as a high-upside addition who lacks guard experience but brings strong technique, power and processing to compete for the left guard spot in training camp.

Slaughter Could Be Chargers' Interior Line Anchor
sports1 month ago

Slaughter Could Be Chargers' Interior Line Anchor

Jake Slaughter was selected No. 63 by the Chargers in the 2026 NFL Draft to bolster the interior offensive line, likely at center or guard behind a group led by Slater, Alt, and Biadasz. The Florida product is praised for his relentless run blocking and solid power, though he faces questions in space and passive protection. At 6-5, 303 pounds, he played 51 games with 33 starts for Florida, is a two-time Second-Team All-American, allowed just four pressures at center in 2025, and posted a top-tier 80.2 run-blocking grade from PFF among 500+ snaps, giving the Chargers a potential long-term anchor for Justin Herbert.

Vikings land towering DT Caleb Banks with 18th pick
sports1 month ago

Vikings land towering DT Caleb Banks with 18th pick

The Minnesota Vikings selected Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks with the 18th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Banks, 23, is a 6-foot-6, 327-pound interior lineman who transferred from Louisville to Florida; despite a history of injuries, including a foot fracture at the scouting combine, he’s expected to be ready for training camp and is viewed as a potential impactful rookie on Minnesota’s defensive line.

Vikings Bet on Upside: Caleb Banks Goes 18th in 2026 NFL Draft
nfl1 month ago

Vikings Bet on Upside: Caleb Banks Goes 18th in 2026 NFL Draft

The Minnesota Vikings surprised many by drafting Florida DT Caleb Banks at No. 18 in the 2026 NFL Draft, passing on safer options like Dillon Thieneman. Banks has a foot injury history but is expected to be cleared for full activity by June, giving Minnesota a high-upside interior disruptor to pair with Jalen Redmond. At 6'6", 327 pounds, Banks flashed explosive power and run-stopping ability in college, with 4.5 sacks in 2024; if he reaches his ceiling he could be a game-wrecker, though the pick carries risk and Day 2 will focus on filling other needs like DB, WR, center, and RB.

Duke and Florida pace the 2026-27 transfer portal reshuffle
college-basketball1 month ago

Duke and Florida pace the 2026-27 transfer portal reshuffle

Florida’s unprecedented retention could push the Gators toward a preseason No. 1, Illinois kept its Final Four core and added depth, Duke reloaded with a veteran guard and solid frontcourt, and Texas stacked four portal pieces to form a versatile, defensively elite lineup. Kansas State overhauled with nine transfers but lacks a top-tier impact signee, while Wake Forest and Notre Dame suffered losses with limited immediate fixes. The Big East looks stronger overall as Xavier, Providence, Marquette and DePaul upgrade. Overall, the portal season rewards teams that retain key players and pair them with high-impact transfers, even as the top free-agent pool is smaller than last year.

Golden declares commitment to Florida amid Warriors coaching chatter
sports1 month ago

Golden declares commitment to Florida amid Warriors coaching chatter

Florida coach Todd Golden dismissed reports linking him to the Golden State Warriors job, saying he plans to coach the Gators next season amid speculation that the Warriors would pursue him if Steve Kerr leaves; the piece notes Golden’s past success in Florida and a largely intact 2025-26 roster, with some key players returning and others evaluating pro options.

Gators Ride Golden Loyalty: Haugh and Condon Return for Senior Season
sports1 month ago

Gators Ride Golden Loyalty: Haugh and Condon Return for Senior Season

Florida’s Todd Golden reveals a rare, loyalty-driven resurgence: star forward Thomas Haugh opts to return for 2026-27 instead of entering the NBA lottery, joining fellow All-American Alex Condon who also will return; center Rueben Chinyelu is weighing an NBA evaluation. The trio, anchored by Golden’s culture and NIL support, gives UF a top-five nucleus and a real shot at an NCAA title next season, a standout example of players choosing college loyalty over early pro riches. The piece also notes SEC trivia that only one SEC player this season honored Senior Day with a full career at one school.