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Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Florida football coach Billy Napier says safety Asa Turner no longer with the team
Former Florida football safety Asa Turner was granted a seventh year of eligibility by the NCAA. But Florida Gators coach Billy Napier said during his media day press conference on July 29 that Turner won't be playing football for UF this season. "Asa is transitioning out of football," Napier said. "He's had really three years of significant injuries in college football. I actually met with Asa this morning. Look, Asa did a great job when he got here and was a really big contributor early in the season. Got injured and then hasn't quite been the same guy, if you really look at Washington the last couple of years." A transfer from Washington, Turner appeared in just one game for Florida last season, making a tackle against Miami before being sidelined for the rest of the 2024 season with a knee injury. "Asa contributed to our team last year," Napier said. "Very thankful for the way he approached being a teammate, his attitude. But he's at a point where he's not going to play." Florida has developed depth at safety with Bryce Thornton and Jordan Castell emerging as the two starters for UF. Freshman Drake Stubbs also showed promise at safety during UF's spring game, recording an interception. Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun's Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@ Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1. Read his coverage of the Gators' national championship basketball season in 'CHOMP-IONS!' — a hardcover coffee-table collector's book from The Sun. Details at This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Former Florida S Asa Turner unable to work his way back from injury
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Lagway among college football's top-tier QBs, per The Athletic
Expectations are high for Florida quarterback DJ Lagway as he enters his sophomore season, but could the Gators really have one of the best signal callers in all of college football? The Athletic's Grace Raynor may have answered that question while seeking clarification on her greater concern, whether the SEC features the best quarterbacks in the sport or not. A tier list of the nation's quarterbacks released earlier in the month prompted Raynor's deep dive. The SEC has five Tier 1 quarterbacks, more than double the number of those in the ACC and Big 12 conferences. An ACC quarterback, Clemson's Cade Klubnik, tops the list, but four SEC quarterbacks follow, finishing with Lagway at No. 5. Arch Manning is separated from the rest of the pack at No. 10, but he's still considered a Tier 1 quarterback. It's a blowout win for the SEC, but everyone has to live up to those expectations. Raynor poses the question: "Can 5-star recruits turn potential into reality?" Two of the highest-profile names at the position haven't played all that much. Lagway started just seven games last year, and Manning is finally set to take over the Texas offense after spending two years as Quinn Ewers' backup. If both live up to the hype, they could battle for a Heisman at some point. "Lagway, who flashed immense potential in an inconsistent debut season, may have coach Billy Napier's fate in his hands," she adds. The other Tier 1 quarterbacks on The Athletic's list are already proven. Arkansas and LSU are returning Heisman-caliber starters in Garret Nussmeier and LaNorris Sellers, respectively. Oklahoma picked up John Mateer, who wowed everyone at Washington State as a dual threat. "(Lagway) started the second half of the season, and though he made his share of freshman mistakes, he showed why he was so highly regarded, capping the year with a 300-yard performance and bowl game MVP honors," reads the tier list report from Sam Khan Jr. and Antonio Morales. "He displayed elite arm talent, good mobility and poise beyond that of a typical true freshman. His size and strength helped him keep plays alive. With Lagway behind center, the future is bright in Gainesville." Yes, Lagway is considered one of the best quarterbacks in the game, but there's an asterisk next to that distinction that the Nussmeier and Sellers types don't have. A lower-body injury could slow his start, and public opinion moves fast. A lot is riding on Lagway's performance this year, but most seem to believe that he'll live up to the task. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions. This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida football DJ Lagway, SEC QBs on The Athletic tier list
USA Today
10 hours ago
- USA Today
Florida WR placed on scholarship
The Florida Gators football program has placed wide receiver DeBraun Hampton on scholarship, according to his social media accounts. A preferred walk-on out of Willis High in Texas, Hampton is best known for being high school teammates with Florida quarterback DJ Lagway. As a senior, Hampton hauled in 57 receptions for 926 yards and 13 touchdowns. The Gators are hoping to exploit that connection and get Hampton going at the collegiate level. Hampton's only snap last season came as a run blocker in the waning moments of the Gasparilla Bowl. He took his redshirt and could potentially see more action this season. Florida's wide receiver room is among the strongest position rooms in the program. Redshirt senior Kahleil Jackson, redshirt sophomores Eugene Wilson III and Aidan Mizell, sophomore Tank Hawkins and redshirt freshman TJ Abrams make up the returning group. UCLA transfer and Sturdivant and true freshmen Dallas Wilson, Vernell Brown III, Naeshaun Montgomery and Muizz Tounkara are the newbies. Hampton could compete with Montgomery and Tounkara for action on the third team. Whatever happens, performing well enough to be put on scholarship is impactful for the family. Tuition isn't cheap. Hampton could find himself in a special teams role as a punt returner. With spring camp starting on Wednesday, it will be easier to gauge his role on the team following the scholarship offer. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
