Latest news with #OrangeandBlueGame
USA Today
22-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Four Gators undergo post-spring surgeries
Four Gators undergo post-spring surgeries With spring practices and the Orange and Blue Game all wrapped up, four Florida Gators football players underwent surgery, according to Swamp247. Starting center Jake Slaughter is the most prominent name on the list. He and fellow starting offensive lineman Knijeah Harris underwent arthroscopic procedures — Harris on his left ankle and Slaughter on his right shoulder. Slaughter was among the best centers in all of college football a year ago and is a likely preseason All-American. His return timeline is unknown, however. Arthroscopy is generally less invasive than what's thought of as traditional surgery, according to the National Institute of Health, but each procedure requires a different amount of rest to recover fully, especially before being cleared to play in tackle football. The Cleveland Clinic sets Slaughter's recovery time at weeks to months, depending on the severity of the situation. Harris is on a similar timeline, although he should be ready to return to practice after two months or so. Receiver Aidan Mizell is having a knee debridement procedure done and receiving platelet-rich plasma injections in both knees. He should be ready in 3-6 weeks. Finally, running back Treyaun Webb had some surgical material removed from his tibia, which was fractured and repaired in November. Webb went down as the No. 2 on the depth chart behind only Montrell Johnson Jr., but he'll likely return at No. 3 behind Jadan Baugh and Ja'Kobi Jackson. Both ran for more than 500 yards and scored seven touchdowns, as Johnson also dealt with injuries. Baugh remains on the same timeline to return and should be good for Florida's season opener on Aug. 30 against Long Island. That would be a good game for him to test his legs, but there are still a few months to go in his recovery before being officially cleared. 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
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ohio State Predicted To Be Dealt Blow on Projected $809,000 Star From SEC Foe
The Ohio State Buckeyes have been strong contenders in the national recruiting landscape, especially when it comes to landing top-tier offensive linemen. However, they're now facing stiff competition from SEC rival Texas Longhorns for one of the nation's best , Felix Ojo. As the No. 4 overall prospect, No. 3 offensive tackle, and Texas' top recruit in the 2025 cycle, Ojo is a hot commodity. And while Ohio State has kept itself in the mix, momentum seems to be slipping. Felix Ojo's recruiting journey has been nothing short of a wild ride. The 6-foot-6 tackle has drawn attention from powerhouses like Texas, Ohio State, Michigan Wolverines, Oklahoma Sooners, Florida Gators, and even Colorado Buffaloes. Atlanta, GA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day talks to the media during 2025 CFP National Championship Media Day at Georgia World Congress Center, Building Lee-Imagn Images But the Longhorns have set the tone throughout. According to On3's Chad Simmons, 'Everywhere he goes, Ojo is impressed, and the staff shows him and his family love, but Texas has been the school setting the pace in this recruitment for some time. Others are contending, but until I hear enough to change my thoughts, I like the Longhorns.' Advertisement Despite strong visits elsewhere, Ojo has consistently come away impressed by the Texas staff's approach, especially the love shown to his family. Ohio State isn't out of the race just yet, but the odds aren't in their favor. On3's Steve Wiltfong noted, 'The Longhorns have looked like they've had the edge for Felix Ojo for much of his process. Ohio State is a school not to be slept on, though.' Meanwhile, Florida is trying to make a late push. After a promising visit during the Orange and Blue Game, the Gators secured an official visit. Co-offensive line coach Jonathan Decoster is giving it everything, but Florida needs a perfect weekend to leap ahead, especially if Ojo plans to commit before the season kicks off. For now, Texas looks like the likely landing spot, and Ohio State may soon feel the sting of losing the offensive tackle to an SEC rival. Related: Buccaneers Make Emeka Egbuka Announcement on Friday
USA Today
05-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida Gators lead nation in spring game attendance amid national decline in 2025
Florida Gators lead nation in spring game attendance amid national decline in 2025 While spring game attendance plummeted across much of the college football landscape in 2025, the Florida Gators defied the trend with the highest turnout in the country. According to The Gainesville Sun, 56,563 fans packed Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, also known as the Swamp, for Florida football's annual Orange and Blue Game. This year's attendance marked the program's largest spring crowd since 2009. The turnout came during a time when many college football programs scaled back or eliminated spring games entirely. Despite that, Florida embraced the moment, using the game not only to showcase a promising roster for next season, but also to celebrate its men's basketball national championship with a halftime ceremony. Head coach Billy Napier's Gators are riding a wave of momentum into the summer. Much of the excitement centers around quarterback DJ Lagway. Lagway's presence alone drew significant attention, and fans got their first glimpse of what he could bring to the field in the fall. The Gators weren't the only school to draw a crowd, but they easily outpaced other major programs. The Ohio State Buckeyes reported 40,136 attendees, its lowest spring turnout since 2021. The Michigan Wolverines drew an estimated 40,000. The Oregon Ducks, Tennessee Volunteers and South Carolina Gamecocks surpassed the 30,000 mark, but the Orange and Blue stood alone at the top. While many coaches around the country reevaluate the risks and rewards of spring games, Florida football made a clear statement: the passion in Gainesville is alive and well. 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
15-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida football leads the recruiting battle for this 4-star defensive lineman
Florida football leads the recruiting battle for this 4-star defensive lineman Four-star Parker (Birmingham, Alabama) defensive lineman Vodney Cleveland was one of the many recruits in Gainesville this weekend for the Orange and Blue Game, and he left The Swamp with Florida on top of his list, according to On3 Gators Online. 'I would probably say Florida is No. 1,' Cleveland said to Gators Online. 'Actually being able to get there to kind of get a game-day experience and seeing the guys compete against each other and work stood out." Cleveland already thinks highly of several Florida defensive linemen. He mentioned Micah Boireau, Caleb Banks and D'antre Robinson by name, and he's forming a connection with several members of the staff. D-line coach Gerald Chatman is naturally a big part of his recruitment, but running backs coach Jabbar Juluke is also stepping up. He enjoyed the game day atmosphere in The Swamp and so did his parents. Official visit coming up This was Cleveland's third visit to Florida, and he already knows when he'll be back. Cleveland has penciled in the weekend of May 30 for an official visit, one of six he has on his schedule. Auburn, Georgia, Miami, North Carolina and Texas are the others. Auburn is probably the biggest competition for Florida right now, but the cycle doesn't end for another 8-10 months. Those official visits could loom large when Cleveland makes his decision. Recruiting Summary Service Star Rating Natl. Rank Pos. Rank State Rank 247Sports Composite ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 139 16 9 On3 Industry Ranking ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 109 10 8 Top247 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 52 4 4 On300 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 300 23 12 ESPN ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 202 17 11 Rivals ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 148 8 10 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
14-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida RB Ja'Kobi Jackson talks explosive performance in Orange and Blue Game
Florida RB Ja'Kobi Jackson talks explosive performance in Orange and Blue Game Running back Ja'Kobi Jackson put on an explosive performance during Saturday's Orange and Blue game. He ran for 198 yards and scored three touchdowns, including a 90-yard score in the third quarter. Jackson, a redshirt senior who transferred from the JUCO ranks last offseason, stepped up in 2024 after Montrell Johnson Jr. suffered a few injuries. He and now sophomore Jadan Baugh became the primary duo in the backfield for Florida, and Jackson rushed for 509 yards and seven touchdowns. Heading into 2025, Jackson is considered one of the vocal leaders on Florida's offense, and he was dominant in the spring game, announcing himself to fans who didn't know how talented he was. Jackson spoke to the media after his big day and praised his offensive line plenty. Here's everything Jackson said on Saturday. On big Orange and Blue Game performance "It was a pretty good performance, obviously. O-line did a great job today, and it wasn't really much I had to do. Just run full speed and run straight. So, yeah, great day." How about the 90-yard touchdown? "Yeah, I mean a few tackles, made a little something happen, so, yeah. Pretty exciting" On stepping into a leadership role "Just by continuous work and just leading the young guys. Like for reps, I'm trying to be in the front. I'm trying to show them how to how the drill goals and everything. So just communicating what we're trying to do here, and that's the main goal." "I'm very vocal. I like to trash talk. I like positive talk. All that, through and through." On overall offensive performance "Very explosive. I think we did a great job passing and running the ball today, protecting the QB. The offensive line did a great job blocking up front. We had us a day today, I could say." On "Jack Cheese" nickname "Coach Juluke, one day, he just called me Jack Cheese, and then it's just been up from there. Sometime last year, he, called me that and the entire facility calls me that now." On taking advantage of defensive line injuries in the game "Not really much excited. I feel like even if they wasn't hurt, I probably still do what I do, but, you know, pretty excited to still be able to do it." On basketball team being honored at halftime "Knowing that they won the national championship, I mean, that's our main goal. That's what we want to continue to work hard towards, and just having them here today was very exciting. To see them, it was very exciting to see them after they won they natty." On playing with a chip on his shoulder after going JUCO "It fueled me more before I got here, but it's still fueling me every day when I'm here. I just want to continue to work. I just want everybody to know, me as a person, I'm going to come in everyday and not going to complain. Not too much to worry about when it comes to me." On development, improvement in Gainesville "It's crazy because I didn't even have a spring my first year. I didn't have a spring when I first got here. I got here in like June. So, just now and then is totally different. I would say tremendously different. I've learned the system now. So, really just learning the system and just becoming better every day. That's what I thrive on." On breaking out last year "Just staying patient. Listen to my coaches every day knowing that injuries can happen, and when it comes, you've got to step up. That's all I wanted to do last year, was step up. If the team needed me, that's all I did." On learning from Montrell Johnson Jr. and Coach Juluke "I just learned how to be a pro, really. Like just day by day. How to take care of my body, how to come in and watch film and really much everything." "Coach Juluke really just has taught me how to basically learn the system. I didn't really know too much football coming from junior college, so I didn't really know too many defenses and everything and calls and blitzes. So really just teaching me the fundamentals of football again, like on a higher level, I would say." On Dallas Wilson "Very explosive. He's learning the system. That's what I'm saying. Like, he's learning the system, and he's still explosive and very athletic. He's a great ball player. Excited to play this year with him and excited to see what he can do for the University of Florida." "Definitely makes the receiver room more versatile. Just because having young guys who can come in and take the top off or they can block for the other wide receivers and the running backs, or they could just run routes. So I really would say it's a great to have every young guy that we have on the team right now." On returning offensive line "Having a vet O-line, that's what I said at the beginning, like it's not too much you really have to do. They know the assignment. They know what we're trying to do every play. So they're great to have those guys back this year." On Jadan Baugh "Jadan Baugh is great. I mean, we compete every day. That's my guy. We don't hold nothing against each other. Whenever we do something wrong or something that we don't think that we should do, we would be like, hey, man, you could do this, and we take it like that and we just go on with it. But every day is a competition and we come in ready to work every day." "I definitely think we could be one of the best (1-2 punches) in the SEC, if not the best. Just power and explosive plays. That's what we're going to bring to the table every Saturday." 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.
