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USA Today
2 days ago
- General
- USA Today
Florida football lands fourth 2026 recruiting commitment from blue-chip safety
Florida football lands fourth 2026 recruiting commitment from blue-chip safety Florida football landed its fourth commitment of the 2026 recruiting cycle — and second in the past three days — on Wednesday with four-star safety Kaiden Hall giving his word to the Gators. The decision came two days prior to his prescheduled date, but apparently the Orange and Blue offered him enough to make an early choice. The 6-foot-3-inch, 195-pound defensive back out of Milton (Florida) was also considering the Alabama Crimson Tide, Florida State Seminoles and Oklahoma Sooners among offers from a total of 25 suitors. Billy Napier and Co. have pursued Hall since his freshman season in 2023, resulting in a handful of trips to Gainesville between then and now. However, it was a recent addition to the coaching staff — co-defensive coordinator and safeties' coach Vinnie Sunseri — who spearheaded the effort to bring the talented youngster to the program after making connections with the recruit back with the Washington Huskies. Hall's connection with Florida's coaching staff The relationship between Hall and Sunseri has blossomed in the time since the latter arrived on campus. "It's been really good," Hall told Swamp247 of his experience with Florida's coach. "He's been texting me, calling, came down to the school." Meanwhile, Sunseri has also been very direct about the expectations he has for Hall. "It was mainly about a free and strong safety position," he noted about his conversation with Sunseri on Sunday. "He seemed, mainly, 'Start with the free safety position.'" As for the Gators' skipper, Napier's effort to play the long game with the talented safety appears to have paid off. "I've been knowing (Napier) since freshman year going into sophomore year when he offered me in the office," Hall said. "It's been consistent love ever since that, for sure." Kaiden Hall's recruiting summary Hall is ranked No. 170 overall and No. 14 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite, while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 208 and 20, respectively. 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.
USA Today
06-05-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Florida basketball HC Todd Golden receives contract extension, among top-paid head coaches
Florida basketball HC Todd Golden receives contract extension, among top-paid head coaches The Florida Gators brought home their third-ever men's basketball national championship this past season, and while an immense amount of credit goes to those who performed out on the floor, plenty of praise belongs on the shoulders of the architect who assembled the title-winning program from scratch. It only took three seasons for head coach Todd Golden to rebuild UF's roster into a title-winning team, utilizing an aggressive approach to the transfer portal while sprinkling some homegrown talent into the mix to produce a sum that was greater than its parts. As a result, the 39-year-old was awarded a lucrative contract extension that places him among the top-paid in the college hoops realm. Golden's contract extension covers the next six years through March 31, 2031, giving him a $40.5 million salary overall, according to the university's announcement. This comes just one year after he signed an extension through the 2029-30 season, which made him one of the top 35 highest-paid head coaches at the time. "Todd has done an incredible job getting Florida men's basketball back where it belongs," UF athletic director Scott Stricklin offered. "We believed in his vision, his competitive nature and his modern approach to the game back in 2022, and he has validated that belief in a relatively short time and helped create memories of a lifetime for another generation of Gator fans." Todd Golden talks about his love for Florida "My family and I are grateful to be a part of Gator Nation and for the opportunity to lead this great program three years ago," Golden said in the press release. "As we've shown during our time in Gainesville, the University of Florida is an institution that has the resources, support, and people in place to compete and win national championships," he noted. "I am so appreciative of each and every player and staff member who have been critical to the success we've experienced here. My family and I look forward to our future here at UF and to the continued success of our men's basketball program." During the program's championship celebration during halftime of the football program's annual Orange and Blue intrasquad scrimmage, he also offered some flattering words about the Orange and Blue. "My family and I love being here. Obviously, it was a big change for us coming from the West Coast, not knowing a lot of people here. But in three short years, we've been able to meet a lot of great people and get comfortable. Florida's a place that we can win national championships, as we just proved," Golden said. Todd Golden's three-season tenure at Florida Golden struggled to a 16-17 finish in his debut campaign with the Gators, missing out on the NCAA Tournament in the process. But keep in mind that at the time, he was coaching players mostly recruited by the previous staff under Mike White. Last year, Florida improved to 24-12 while making it to the SEC Tournament Finals, only to ultimately fall to the Auburn Tigers. Then the disappointment set in when the Orange and Blue faltered against the Colorado Buffaloes in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. This year, UF did not lose its first game until the SEC schedule opener at the Kentucky Wildcats, against whom they lost, 106-100. Golden's gang would only lose three more games en route to the promised land and a third national title, finishing with an impressive 36-4 overall mark. Golden holds a 76-33 record overall during his three years with Florida. 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.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
More than half the SEC will have new QBs in 2025, though some changes come with continuity
Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, red shorts, stands with Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell (12) between plays during Alabama's A-Day NCAA college football practice and autograph session, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson (15) is also pictured. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) Georgia Red Team quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) looks to pass the ball during the NCAA college football team's spring game, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard) FILE - Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File) Georgia Red Team quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) celebrates with teammates after throwing a touchdown pass during the NCAA college football team's spring game, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard) Florida's injured quarterback DJ Lagway, (2) signs autographs during the Orange and Blue spring NCAA college football game, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel via AP) Florida's injured quarterback DJ Lagway, (2) signs autographs during the Orange and Blue spring NCAA college football game, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel via AP) Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, red shorts, stands with Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell (12) between plays during Alabama's A-Day NCAA college football practice and autograph session, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson (15) is also pictured. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) Georgia Red Team quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) looks to pass the ball during the NCAA college football team's spring game, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard) FILE - Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File) Georgia Red Team quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) celebrates with teammates after throwing a touchdown pass during the NCAA college football team's spring game, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard) Florida's injured quarterback DJ Lagway, (2) signs autographs during the Orange and Blue spring NCAA college football game, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel via AP) More than half the teams in the powerhouse Southeastern Conference will have new starting quarterbacks this fall. Many of the changes were expected. Some were needed. All of them will be overly dissected before training camps open in August. Advertisement Alabama ( Jalen Milroe ), Auburn (Payton Thorne) Missouri (Brady Cook), Ole Miss ( Jaxson Dart ) and Texas ( Quinn Ewers ) lost entrenched starters to the NFL. But those typical progressions were hardly the norm elsewhere. Georgia's Carson Beck transferred to Miami. Tennessee's Nico Iamaleava bailed on a $2.4 million name, image and likeness deal and ended up at UCLA. Oklahoma's Jackson Arnold landed at Auburn. And Kentucky's Brock Vandagriff retired from football after getting benched. 'A new day and age in football,' said current Florida backup quarterback Harrison Bailey, who previously played at Tennessee, UNLV and Louisville. 'I'm glad I'm getting out of it.' The burgeoning transfer portal — the lure of more money or a better opportunity elsewhere, really — continues to create roster turnover in college football, and no school appears safe from the chaos. Advertisement Not even the SEC, which has every head coaching returning for the first time since 2019 and for just the second time since 2005. Despite all the different faces under center, 10 SEC schools are poised to start the season with some level of continuity at the all-important QB position. The holdovers Arkansas' Taylen Green, Florida's DJ Lagway, LSU's Garrett Nussmeier, Mississippi State's Blake Shapen, South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers, Texas A&M's Marcel Reed and Vanderbilt's Diego Pavia have significant experience in their current systems. Sellers, though, has a new offensive coordinator, former Alabama coach Mike Shula. Advertisement Green could make a jump in his second year under offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. Lagway and Sellers, athletic big men with above-average arms, look like budding stars who could carry improving teams to the College Football Playoff. Nussmeier is entering his third year in coach Brian Kelly's system. Shapen, a sixth-year senior, is healthy again. Reed flashed early last season before losing four of his final starts as a freshman. And Pavia was a bright spot for the Commodores, finishing with 20 touchdown passes and four interceptions. The not-so-newcomers Georgia's Gunner Stockton came up big in last year's SEC championship game against Texas and should benefit from sitting behind Beck the last two seasons. Ole Miss is confident Austin Simmons will step in for Dart and keep the Rebels rolling. And the Longhorns have been waiting two years for Arch Manning to take the spotlight. Advertisement 'I hope he's got a really hard decision to make around January 21,' Texas coach Steve Sarkisian told the Houston Touchdown Club this week. 'That means we played a long time. That means he played a really good season. And that means he's trying to figure out do I want one more year in the burnt orange or is it time to go to the NFL? 'I hope it's a really hard decision. I hope it's not a no-brainer to come back to school.' Everyone else The six remaining schools – Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma and Tennessee – have varying degrees of uncertainty about their QBs following spring football. Advertisement Alabama is turning to Ty Simpson. Auburn is expected to go with transfer Jackson Arnold. Kentucky is taking a chance with transfer Zach Calzada, who is entering his seventh collegiate season. Missouri appears content with Penn State transfer Beau Pribula, who signed a $1.5 million NIL. Oklahoma believes its new duo from Washington State – quarterback John Mateer and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle – will pay immediate dividends. Tennessee might have the most to figure out. The Volunteers ended up with UCLA transfer Joey Aguilar in a pseudo trade. But Aguilar still has to beat out Jake Merklinger and George MacIntyre for the job. 'I'm looking forward to being a part of the traditions, the fans, and the legacy of winning at Tennessee,' Aguilar wrote on social media. 'I'm ready to get to work, compete at the highest level and building something special with my teammates and coaches. I can't wait to get to Rocky Top!' Advertisement ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: and
USA Today
24-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida basketball officially signs bl;ue-chip swingman CJ Ingram to 2025-26 roster
Florida basketball officially signs bl;ue-chip swingman CJ Ingram to 2025-26 roster The Florida basketball program sealed the deal on Monday with forward CJ Ingram, who officially signed with the program and is officially a member of the Orange and Blue. The 6-foot-6-inch swingman is following in the footsteps of his father, Cornelius Ingram, who was an All-SEC and national champion tight end on the Florida football team from 2004-08. The elder Ingram also appeared in 19 games for the hoops squad during his freshman year. "CJ is a huge addition for our program. We consistently talk about having guys with great attitudes, work ethics, and most importantly, the desire to be a Gator. Coming from a legacy Gator family, we know how much he cares about wearing the Orange and Blue," Todd Golden recently offered. "CJ was a multi-sport star who just this past year, focused solely on basketball, and you can see the great strides he's made already. CJ is a fantastic young man who comes from a great family and will represent our program very well. We are thrilled to welcome him!" Ingram is originally from nearby Hawthorne, Florida, but played his senior high school campaign just under two hours south at the prestigious Montverde Academy in Clermont, Florida. He is a four-star recruit according to both 247Sports (who lists him as a forward) and On3 (who lists him as a guard), and earned a place in the Jordan Brand Classic alongside fellow incoming Florida freshman Alex Lloyd, while also receiving honorable mention on the Naismith High School Boys' All-America Team. 247Sports scouting report for CJ Ingram "CJ Ingram is a physically imposing wing," director of scouting Adam Finkelstein begins. "He has good positional size, a long and cut-up frame, and explosive athleticism. He plays an attacking two-way style, putting a lot of pressure on the rim offensively and bringing similar tenacity to the defensive end of the floor," he continues. "He can be dynamic in the open floor, but is also capable of getting paint touches in the half-court as he goes right at opposing defenders and not only plays through contact, but initiates it and likes it. He also has a way of making slight changes in direction, allowing him to adapt on the way to the rim while simultaneously maintaining his line. 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.
USA Today
19-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Scouting Florida football's former WR Chimere Dike ahead of the 2025 NFL draft
Scouting Florida football's former WR Chimere Dike ahead of the 2025 NFL draft The Florida football program looks to continue its tradition of sending former players to the professional ranks through the NFL draft this year, with several alumni lined up to be taken among the 257 selections next week. Among those expecting to hear their name called sometime within the 2025 NFL draft's three-day event is wide receiver Chimere Dike, who spent one season in Gainesville after transferring from Wisconsin to spend his final year of eligibility with the Orange and Blue. While it was hoped that his pairing with former teammate Graham Mertz would help fuel Florida's offensive resurgence, instead, he established his presence as a punt returner as well as a target for DJ Lagway. It turned out to be a solid season for the Cheese State native, which could very well translate into a professional contract this spring. Below is a breakdown of Dike's stock heading into the draft in a question-and-answer format exchanged with Packers Wire's Brennan Rupp. What did Dike mean to the Florida offense? Dike was an important target for Lagway (and Mertz before him) out of the slot last season, earning him starts in 11 of 12 appearances. Additionally, his speed and versatility came in handy in many facets of the game. His role on both offensive and defensive special teams also contributed to Florida's overall success. It's worth noting that he was the primary punt returner for the Gators, leading the SEC in return yardage with an average of 16.5 per. Every team can use a jack-of-all-trades like Dike and Billy Napier was wise to snag him out of the transfer portal last offseason. What would you say is Dike's greatest strength? Speed. Not just sprinting speed, but also lateral speed and the ability to quickly adjust his momentum on the fly. That synergizes well with his elite route-running skills and playbook IQ. These are the talents that will benefit him at the professional level. How is Dike's route running? As noted before, on the offensive side of the ball, that is his carrying trait. His body control allows him to be right where he needs to be when the pass arrives, plus he has the athleticism to accommodate throws that might not be quite on the mark. What does he offer after the catch? Not as much as one might think given his punt return skills, as evidenced by his 6 yards after catch stat for which PFF has him tied at 154th among other wide receivers. His smaller physique makes him a bit slippery, but he has not shown the ability to absorb major hits while continuing the play. Is Dike willing to do dirty work as a blocker downfield? Despite his diminutive size (in comparison to the defensive linemen and linebackers), he is willing to throw his body at defenders and was utilized in this role regularly lining up in the slot. I would have concerns about his frame handling NFL-level physicality, but the willingness and motivation are there. If you were an NFL GM, why would you draft Dike? Dike is one of those guys you just love having on your roster. His versatility, football IQ and heart are the trifecta of a true team player, and he is the kind of athlete who will find a role somehow. I probably would not use a higher pick on him, but if the later rounds arrive and he is still available, he could be worth a shot. If not, he will definitely land somewhere as a UDFA. 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.
