Thanks for all the support. I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog as much as I have enjoyed writing it.
Anyone with comments/questions/suggestions please email me at: bdfoxjr@chomptalk.com
Florida PG Tre Mann has declared for the NBA Draft according to college basketball analyst Jeff Goodman.
Florida’s Tre Mann has declared for the NBA Draft, an NBA source told @stadium. Averaged 5.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game this past season.
As a freshman, Mann averaged 5.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in 29 games (four starts).
Mann entered UF as a five-star recruit who participated in the McDonald’s All-American game.
With the earlier announcement by Andrew Nembhard that he was declaring, Mann’s decision is surprising. Declaring does, however, give Mann the opportunity to seek advice from NBA teams with the chance to return to school.
Mann is from Gainesville, though finished his high school career in The Villages at Monteverde Academy.
Nembhard, who has two years of eligibility remaining, could opt to return to school, but he had to make a decision before the 11:59 PM deadline.
The Aurora, Canada native averaged 11.2 points and 5.6 assists as a sophomore at UF.
Nembhard is the first Gator to declare after freshman Scottie Lewis and sophomore Keyontae Johnson chose to return to school.
Nembhard projects as a potential late second round pick, but many have speculated that he will seek playing overseas where his style of play is more suited.
The Gators have several options behind Nembhard including former five-star prospect Tre Mann and Ques Glover.
…
UPDATE: Nembhard had signed with agent Jaafar Choufani, per Jeff Goodman. Signing with Choufani allows Nembhard the potential of returning to UF, as he is one of 23 agents the NCAA has approved for such circumstances.
Florida point guard Andrew Nembhard has signed with one Jaafar Choufani, one of the 23 NCAA-certified agents, in order to make sure he can retain his college eligibility, source told @Stadium.
In the face of a worldwide pandemic, it’s easy to feel helpless.
For an athlete like freshman guard Lavender Briggs, whose commanding presence on the court confines the game to the palm of her hand, this lack of control is a foreign feeling.
“It sucks because life’s just put on hold right now and you can’t do anything about it,” Lavender said.
The COVID-19 outbreak snagged the last few games of her first season at UF from her grasp, as Lavender led the Gators to qualify for postseason play for the first time in coach Cam Newbauer’s tenure.
“It’s unfortunate, what happened,” Lavender said. “I think we really would’ve done good in postseason play because at the end of the season we got better as a team collectively.”
As a freshman, Lavender was Florida’s leading scorer, averaging 15 points per game. She notched double-digit tallies in 26 of 29 games played. The Provo, Utah, native was the first freshman to lead the SEC in minutes on the hardwood in 20 years with 34.7 per game. When she was on the floor — which was more often than not — Lavender was in control.
Now, she doesn’t even have access to a hoop, much less the kind of autonomy she had over her training while in Gainesville.
“I was just at school and taking for granted that I could workout everyday and go to the gym whenever I wanted to and lift weights,” Lavender said. “But now, I can’t.”
Local parks have resorted to removing hoops from their backboards to discourage people from going out and playing pick up basketball. But Lavender doesn’t have a hoop at home. Coronavirus has rendered the former SEC Freshman of the Week hoop-less indefinitely.
During quarantine, Lavender continues to work on her game by running, jumping rope, working on her ball handling skills and watching tape from last season. This is how she tries to maintain control over her basketball career.
When it came time for Lavender to decide where she wanted to play college ball, she assumed her rightful place in the driver’s seat. While basketball is sacred in the Briggs household, this was Lavender’s decision and Lavender’s decision alone. The game that started as friendly sibling competition now gave her the power to attend any Power Five school in the country.
So, much like she does on the court, Lavender put herself in the best position to succeed and went after what she wanted.
“I knew I didn’t want to stay in Utah,” Lavender said. “I talked to schools from every single conference…so when it came time for me to make my decision, I just chose the best fit for me.”
From playing up a couple years under her mom June Briggs’s tutelage to AAU ball to dropping 53 points on her way to a Utah state record for scoring by a high school girl, Lavender was a highly coveted recruit.
So aside from that eminent “feeling” student athletes cite when explaining why they decided to commit to their respective schools, why would a five-star recruit sign the dotted line to play for a team with an 8-23 (3-13 SEC) record?
Because she wanted to be the catalyst for a storied program turnaround.
“When you’re building a program, you want players that have that drive to do something greater than themselves. And she had that presence about her to really want to be great…she wanted to make an impact on the program,” Newbauer said.
Once on campus, Lavender swiftly shouldered the responsibilities of a day-one starter and a leader on the Gators squad. She recorded seven double-doubles last season, three of which came in the first seven games of her collegiate career, and posted 435 total points her freshman year (fifth-most by a freshman in school history).
That performance made an impact on the hardwood and the recruiting trail.
“The recruits that we’re involved with, they want to play with good players,” Newbauer said. “Her personality and her skill set provide for the opportunity for kids that want to play with her because of who she is and what she’s about and how she carries herself.”
Even while navigating the uncharted, choppy waters of COVID-19 and the future of her basketball career, Lavender continues to carry herself in such a way. Since there are no gyms to shoot around in, she pours over hours of tape to work on the mental aspect of her game — analyzing, criticizing and formulating a plan with her coaches on how to improve moving forward.
Despite how precarious the future looks now, one thing is certain: this basketball hiatus will only amplify Lavender’s love and appreciation for the sport.
“You never know what you have until it’s gone,” Lavender said. “Even though it was hard, it was worth it and just makes me want to go back even more (and) it makes me want to work harder when I go back.”
In Rounds 4-7 of the 2020 NFL Draft, five more Florida Football alumni were selected to join the ranks of the pro football world.
In Round 4, running back La’Mical Perine was called to the New York Jets as their 5th pick, No. 120 overall. Perine will add to the Jets’ arsenal, especially in the rushing yards department.
Perine went down in history as ninth-best in Florida program history for career rushing and receiving yards. He’s also the only Gator in history to score at least one receiving and rushing touchdown in multiple bowl games. He ended his career with 2,485 rushing yards on 494 carries and 22 touchdowns and made 72 receptions for 674 yards, catching eight touchdowns in his career. A total of 30 touchdowns in his collegiate career means Perine averaged more than one touchdown every other game.
Skill-wise, Perine’s speed is an asset, with quick bursts off the catch to get through narrow gaps closing in on him. He works his angles and can use his fast footwork to catch defenders in a feint. His vision is also a strength, finding his line and having a complete tree of routes to choose from in his arsenal.
Football is in his blood, too. Cousin Samaje Perine is a running back for the Miami Dolphins, and cousin Myles Jack plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars as a linebacker. Perine will join classmate Jabari Zuniga, who was drafted by the Jets yesterday, and former teammate Marcus Maye, part of the draft class of 2017.
In Round 6, wide receiver Freddie Swain was chosen as the Seattle Seahawks’ 7th pick at No. 214 overall. His punt returns would be a great asset to any team, and he’s got potential to add to the Seahawks’ special teams.
Swain’s biggest season at Florida was 2018, where he was 2nd in the SEC for punt returns and punt return touchdowns. His biggest moment was an 85-yard punt return touchdown against Colorado State, which actually tied him for the 8th-longest return by an FBS player that year. He was also one of only five FBS players in 2018 with at least five touchdown receptions and a punt return average of more than 10.0 yards. He didn’t exactly slack off in his senior year either – Swain set new career highs in receptions, yards and touchdowns and led Florida receivers in receiving touchdowns with seven total in 2019.
Under the coaching of Billy Gonzales, Swain really honed his technique, and he’s proven he can run smooth routes underneath the slot, even in his freshman season when he played through a torn labrum. His captaincy at Florida is further proof of his character and leadership, and his 4.46s time on the 40-yard dash at the combine certainly helped him as well.
It’s been a minute since the Seahawks have picked up a Gator in the draft. The last time it happened was 2012, when Seattle drafted DT Jaye Howard in Round 4.
Florida sent another wide receiver to the NFL in Round 7 in Tyrie Cleveland, as he was drafted by the Denver Broncos as their 9th pick, No. 252 overall. Cleveland’s strong secondary running game and strong hands will give the Broncos another great weapon for Drew Lock to use next season.
Cleveland came out swinging in his first year, seeing action in 11 of 13 games as a true freshman. He set a new record for second-longest touchdown passing play in UF history, second only to a record set in 1977, and the longest play by a true freshman in program history. As a sophomore, he kept pushing, totaling 22 catches in the 2017 season for a team-best 410 yards. As a junior, he was a nominee for the Preseason Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award and joined the Gators’ punt team as a gunner, recording five tackles. He was more of a depth option in his senior season, but instead made his impact on special teams, with five kickoff returns and three tackles.
Cleveland’s strength as a receiver comes in his vertical and his secondary run. His high reach allows him to play above the rim, and his vertical jump at the combine was 39.5 inches. He’s also a guy who knows how to find his opening, and his long speed is solid – has to be for the kinds of plays he’s famous for.
Cleveland joins the ranks of Gators who became Broncos, with guys like C Max Garcia in 2015 and QB Tim Tebow in 2010.
Coming in at No. 90 overall, EDGE Jonathan Greenard was selected as the 2nd pick for the Houston Texans in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. His strong hands and his control of the edge will be a great advantage to the Texans’ line.
Greenard, a transfer from Louisville, may have only had one year as a Gator, but what a year it was! First in the SEC for sacks and tackles for loss, he was a four-time Defensive Lineman of the Week for the conference and earned a Walter Camp FBS National Player of the Week nod for his performance against Missouri. He also ranked second in the SEC for forced fumbles, including one he then recovered and ran 80 yards for a touchdown.
Smarts are Greenard’s biggest strength – he’s quick to recognize screens and find his opening to sneak through and put pressure on his opponent. His timing is precise, allowing him to fake well and easily and anticipate snaps consistently. His build is a plus for the Texans as well, with a wingspan that earns him No. 13 among edge rushers of the last 20 years of the combine. He knows how to use his upper body too, keeping good extension, hands staying busy, and absorbing hits well.
Greenard is the Texans’ first draft from the Gators since 2002 when they selected Jabar Gaffney in the second round.
In Round 2 of the 2020 NFL Draft, Gator wide receiver Van Jefferson was selected by the Los Angeles Rams for their 2nd pick, No. 57 overall. The Rams were in need of another solid receiver as another weapon for QB Jared Goff, and Jefferson fit the bill.
A transfer from Ole Miss, Jefferson was strong right out of the gate as a freshman, recording a 20-yard touchdown in his very first collegiate game and earned First Team All-SEC honors from the league’s coaches. Upon arriving in Gainesville, he hit the ground running, and in 2018 led the Gators in receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and average yards per game. His speedy sprints off the catch are his secret weapon, and while his routes are clean, he’s also a quick-twitch decision-maker, bouncing in and out of routes when he needs to with little to no visible effort.
While he was out of the 2020 NFL Combine with an ankle injury, Jefferson was actually found to be the fastest player at the Reese’s Senior Bowl just a few months ago. Some worried his speed would be a hindrance to his NFL prospects, but clearly for the Rams, it wasn’t an issue.
Florida WR @VanJefferson12 couldn’t run the 40 at Combine (foot injury) but @ZebraTechnology had him as fastest player at the @seniorbowl with max speed of 21.05 mph, which is faster than Devin Duvernay (20.90/4.39), Denzel Mims (20.26/4.38), and Antonio Gibson (20.15/4.39). 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/t7Y8nRmonn
Jefferson’s father, Shawn, was an NFL wide receiver for 13 years before retiring to coach. He worked with the Detroit Lions, the Tennessee Titans, the Miami Dolphins, and currently coaches for the New York Jets, so it’ll be interesting to follow Van’s NFL career playing against his father.
Jefferson is the first Gator drafted by the Rams since 1995, when St. Louis drafted DE Kevin Carter in the first round.
Cornerback CJ Henderson was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars tonight in the 2020 NFL Draft. He was the Jags’ first pick tonight, and was selected 9th overall. The Jaguars moved on from former cornerback Jalen Ramsey, so it’s no surprise they were in the market for a strong replacement.
Henderson’s strong suit is coverage ability – he intervened in 11 passes in the 2019 season, making him No. 4 in the SEC for passes defended. He’s the kind of guy who can match up with the best wide receivers out there, as he proved in the Gators’ last matchup against LSU. And 2019 wasn’t his only strong year – he was No. 1 in the SEC and No. 2 in the country in interceptions returned for touchdowns in 2017, as well as No. 3 in the SEC for interceptions that same year. He’s quick on his feet and plays smart – never takes his eye off his guy.
The Jags have a history with Gator players, drawing from the Florida talent pool in three of the last five drafts, prior to Thursday: linebacker Dante Fowler in their first-round pick (No. 3 overall) in 2015, defensive tackle Taven Bryan (No. 29 overall) in 2018, and offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor (No. 35 overall) in 2019.
The Gators, a sixth-seed that year, allowed the No. 10 seed Bulldogs to advance on a last-second shot in the Sweet 16, sending Florida home after an impressive 22-9 season.
Luckily for UF, the core of that year’s roster was made up of freshmen and sophomores. The team was in prime position to make an even deeper run during the 1999-00 season.
(Photo Credit: The Gainesville Sun) left to right: Freshman Brett Nelson, Junior Brent Wright and Sophomores Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem made up a portion of Florida’s 1999-00 roster that had only three upperclassmen.
That year, a pair of sophomores helped lead the Gators to a memorable regular season where the team went 23-6 overall and 12-4 in the Southeastern Conference. Forward Mike Miller (14.1 PPG, 6.6 RPG) and center Udonis Haslem (11.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG) were two of the best players in college basketball that year, and their offensive prowess helped lead Florida to a 83.8 points per game average, which was good for fourth out of 318 teams, according to sports reference.
Donovan, and his Gators earned a fifth seed in the 2000 NCAA Tournament, matching up with the No. 12-seeded Butler Bulldogs (23-8).
The Bulldogs weren’t your average 12 seed either. Butler had won 15 straight games heading into that contest.
And it played like it.
UF, who had been averaging over 80 points per game up to that point, found itself in a dogfight, down 58-54 late in the second half. Timely shots from Haslem and senior Kenyan Weaks tied it and two free throws from Haslem with 15 seconds to play setup a 60-60 gridlock that brought the game into overtime.
Both teams went back and forth in the extra period until the final seconds. The Bulldogs held on to a one-point lead with eight seconds to go.
That’s when Miller took a pass from guard Teddy Dupay at the three-point line and drove the ball into the lane.
The shot willed its way over the rim and into the net.
Victory.
“We were talking the other night about how we never win the close ones, how tips never go our way, how bounces never fall for us,” Haslem said after the game. “Now, even if we don’t go very far, we can all be grateful for this one for the rest of our lives.”
(Photo Credit: Craig Jones/Getty Images) Mike Miller hits the buzzer-beating shot that gave the Gators a 69-68 win over Butler.
Just a season after falling victim to the heartbreaking NCAA Tournament loss against Gonzaga, the Gators sought redemption and they took it.
As it turns out, a loss would’ve spoiled a lot for this team.
In the second round against Illinois, Florida imposed its will, leading by double-digits for most of the second half, defeating the fourth-seeded Illini, 93-76.
That setup a second-consecutive trip to the Sweet 16, this time though, it’d be against the No. 1-seeded Duke Blue Devils.
The game was close throughout, and even when Florida stretched it out, the Blue Devils always had an answer.
Florida was down 78-74 with three minutes to go. But a Dupay three jumpstarted a 13-0 UF run to end the game.
The Gators were Elite Eight bound.
In the regional final against Oklahoma State, Florida’s press and quick-paced transition offense wore the Kowboys down, giving the Gators their second berth to the Final Four in school history after a 77-65 victory.
Unreal.
A team that looked dead in the water and primed for an upset loss in the first round against Butler, was now going to compete for a national championship at the Final Four.
“I think the Butler game definitely brought us closer together,” Miller said after his team’s Elite Eight victory. “It is an advantage though, because it’s better to be playing your best early rather than too late.”
Florida kept that trait going early on in the national semifinal against North Carolina.
The team ran out to a 18-3 lead to begin the game. The Tar Heels did claw their way back however, tying it at 50 a piece in the second half.
(Photo Credit: ESPN.com) Florida’s suffocating press caused several UNC turnovers down the stretch in the Gators’ 71-59 win over the Tar Heels.
That’s when the Gators began to break the Tar Heels down, outscoring UNC 21-9 to win the game 71-59 and advance to their first national championship game in school history.
In the national final, Florida faced off with one of the best teams in the country that year: the one-seeded Michigan State Spartans.
And that night wouldn’t belong to the Gators. The Spartans were an immovable object, and Florida was unable to solve its opponent on the defensive side of the floor.
Michigan State won its second national championship in school history that day in Indianapolis, shooting over 56 percent for the game in the 89-76 win.
Haslem had an impressive 27 points but Miller only scored 10 in his last game as a Florida Gator.
“Like anything else in life, you go through tremendous learning experiences,” Donovan said after the game. “This was hopefully a tremendous learning experience that made us all better from this.”
Donovan went on to coach the Gators until 2015, bringing the program three more Final Fours and back-to-back national championship titles in 2006 and 2007.
Although the team in 2000 came up just short, it helped lay the groundwork for UF’s future squads that brought championships to Gainesville.
*Featured image Photo Credit: David Leeds / Getty Images
Despite having not played in the National Football League in three years, former Pro Bowl WR Percy Harvin is interested in making a return to the gridiron, according to ESPN’s Josina Anderson.
Breaking: Former 1st-rounder, FA WR Percy Harvin tells me: “I’m ready to return to the NFL. I thought I was done, but that itch came back. I’ve been training w/a former Olympian. My body is feeling good. Mentally I’m better. My family is good. The timing is right.” He’s 185lbs. pic.twitter.com/NQaadbF73B
Harvin, who starred at the University of Florida before being selected in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, will be 32 when the season opens.
Harvin told Anderson that he’s been training with a former Olympian and that his “body is feeling good, mentally I’m better, my family is good, the timing is right.”.
Harvin recorded 353 catches for 4,026 yards and 32 total touchdowns in his career. He is also nearing 1,000 yards rushing and was an elite returner. Harvin was on Seattle’s Super Bowl XLVIII winning team.
Harvin was inducted into the UF Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019.
ChompTalk.com 