All articles tagged with #florida gators
The Florida Gators opened fall training camp with their first preseason practice, giving a glimpse of UF’s early preseason work as head coach Jon Sumrall oversees activities at the Heavener Football Training Center in Gainesville.
OutKick reports that Florida Gators coach Jon Sumrall publicly escalated his feud with ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky by sharing a resurfaced clip of Orlovsky sniffing Molly Qerim's shoe on First Take, then criticizing pedicures for men; the dig comes as UF prepares for the season and highlights off-field drama involving the two figures.
CBS Sports writer Tom Fornelli highlights five teams he believes will outperform their 2026 preseason win totals: the Florida Gators, boosted by a coaching upgrade under Jon Sumrall; the Kansas State Wildcats with Collin Klein potentially contending for the Big 12 title; the Michigan State Spartans under Pat Fitzgerald turning the corner with a strong transfer class and improved defense; the USC Trojans, led by Jayden Maiava, potentially becoming a playoff contender; and the Virginia Tech Hokies, where Franklin’s impact could spark a climb in the ACC. He acknowledges his predictions may miss, but he’s betting on these teams delivering surprises in 2026.
Florida’s Gainesville Regional schedule was adjusted: No. 4 Florida will face No. 2 Miami in the nightcap at 8 p.m. Saturday after the preceding Miami–Troy game ran late; Rider vs. Troy opens at 3 p.m.; Florida opened the regional with an 8–7 win over Rider, and tickets are available.
Andy Katz released his Power 44 preseason rankings after the 2026 NBA Draft withdrawal deadline, with Florida and Duke leading the pack as rosters stabilize through retention and key transfers, while programs like Michigan, Illinois, Tennessee, UConn, and Louisville reload for the 2026-27 season.
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.
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.
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.
Florida softball hosts Texas Tech in a winner-take-all Gainesville Super Regional Sunday at 12 p.m. on ESPNU; gates open at 11 a.m. The winner earns a spot in the 2026 Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City, with announced TV and radio crews and tickets available.
Olivier Rioux, the 7-foot-9 Canadian who became the world’s tallest college basketball player, signed with UC Irvine after two seasons at Florida; the Anteaters expect his size and skill to help immediately as he seeks more playing time and development in the Big West.
Olivier Rioux, the world’s tallest basketball player at 7-foot-9 who played for Florida, has signed with UC Irvine, marking a high-profile transfer for the Anteaters in the 2026–27 season.
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.
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.
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.
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.