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  • BSB: Meet Judson Fabian, the 2019 commit who “can’t wait to be in a Gator uniform”

    BSB: Meet Judson Fabian, the 2019 commit who “can’t wait to be in a Gator uniform”

    Photo via Judson Fabian

    Expect to hear ‘Trinity Catholic Baseball’ a lot next summer as the Ocala based high school is projected to have several prospects selected in the 2019 MLB Draft.

    The Celtics senior class is loaded with Division-One talent. Catcher Bryce Boone (FSU commit), and a pair of Gators commitments lead the charge for Trinity Catholic.

    In addition to RHP Tyler Owens (whom we featured last month), slugger Judson Fabian leads a potent offense for the Celtics. In 2018, Fabian tied the TC single-season home run record with 11 while also leading the county in hitting at a .453 clip. Fabian helped lead the Celtics to the Class 4A Region 1 Finals despite their top two pitchers missing much of the season with injuries.

    See also: Meet 2021 LHP commit Philip Abner

    Fabian is ranked among the top players in the country. Perfect Game has the outfielder ranked as the #10 overall prospect in the 2019 recruiting cycle and the #3 outfielder in the class.

    “[Florida] was my dream school… I received the offer and five minutes [later] I committed” -Judson Fabian

    Fabian has been committed to the University of Florida since his sophomore year. He stated that Florida “was my dream school…I received the offer and five minutes [later], I committed.”

    Fabian praised the Gators coaching staff, stating how influential Coach Craig Bell and Head Coach Kevin O’Sullivan were in his committing to Florida.

    Fabian has made the rounds this summer. He attended the Under Armour All-American Game at Wrigley Field in Chicago last month. Last week, Fabian participated in the Perfect Game All-American Game at Petco Park in San Diego. Fabian described his summer as “the most awesome summer,” and stated that “playing with the best in my class is something that will help me get better.” Fabian explained the ‘unreal’ feeling of catching a ball against the ivy wall at Wrigley Field as an “amazing experience.”

    In 2019, Fabian hopes to help lead Trinity Catholic to their first state title since 2014. Led by former Gators pitcher, head coach Tommy Bond, the Celtics look like the early favorites to make such a run. Bond has been instrumental in Fabian’s development. Fabian said, “There isn’t enough words to explain how much Coach Bond has helped me through the years,” citing that he’s been like a second father and often stays after practice to work with him.

    “It would mean so much, and playing with Deric would be one in a million” – Judson Fabian on playing at Florida with teammate, Tyler Owens as well as brother, Deric Fabian

    Fabian will arrive on campus in 2019 with one of his best friends (Owens) looking to make his mark on a proud program. In addition to Owens, Fabian’s little brother Deric has also committed to Florida in the 2021 class. Fabian relishes the idea of playing with his younger brother at the collegiate level stating “playing with Deric would be one in a million.”

    Fabian will add an explosive bat to a Florida lineup that is likely to lose power-hitting outfielder Wil Dalton in next year’s draft. He wants The Gator Nation to know that “I will be the most fierce competitor,” and that he “can’t wait to be in a Gator uniform.”

  • SEC rules Van Jefferson eligible immediately

    SEC rules Van Jefferson eligible immediately

    Photo via Getty Images

    The Florida Gators received word that WR Van Jefferson has been given immediate eligibility on Monday morning. After the recent rule change surrounding in-conference transfers was amended this spring, the ruling is no surprise but removes the final hurdle in Jefferson’s transfer process.

    The 6’2″ receiver figures to play a prominent role in this year’s offense and has been exceptional since his arrival this past spring. With plenty of speed, soft hands, and a large frame, Jefferson has become a favorite target of all of the Gators QB’s.

    Jefferson is one of two stud WR transfers that Dan Mullen was able to recruit during his transitional class. Trevon Grimes who transferred on a medical hardship from Ohio State. Both players received NCAA approval earlier this month, but Jefferson still awaited the SEC’s approval.

    During his time with Ole Miss, the junior hauled in 91 catches for 999 yards and 4 touchdowns. With this news, the Gators receiver corps just became a very real threat to any opponents they face this season.

  • Looking For a Leader: Florida’s Quarterback Competition

    Looking For a Leader: Florida’s Quarterback Competition

    Photo via The Associated Press

    As a college football fan, the start of fall camp always conjures up feelings quite similar to a young child eagerly anticipating Christmas morning. Such excitement at the possibilities. Yes, this time of year has all of college football’s fans wondering, “What’s under the tree for me this year?”

    If you’re a Florida Gators fan, there’s one gift that you have likely wished for every year for the last nine years. It is the one thing that can take all of the other gifts and elevate them into something magical. The quarterback! Over that time we’ve always been, “just a QB away!” Will this year be the year that we finally receive that gift?

    As camp opened last week, all eyes focused on the quarterback competition once again. This year, it features the much maligned Feleipe Franks, underdog Kyle Trask, and true freshman Emory Jones. Each with their own unique strengths and glaring weaknesses.

    Last season, Franks started 8 games and played in all 11 but through injuries and complete ineptitude, this was almost by default. Trask was recovering from season ending surgery from an injury sustained in fall camp. Jones was still in high school this time last year.

    With the first week of fall practice in the books, we still don’t know who will be QB1 for the upcoming season. But with all of the unknown, let’s examine what we do know so far.

    Franks is the current front runner but that doesn’t really mean much at this point. He has a cannon for an arm and great size but he struggles with the short to medium range throws and often stares down his receivers. He seems to have turned a corner in the leadership and preparation part of the job, often being the first on the field and last to leave, as well as spending hours upon hours in film study.

    Trask is a guy who – if he earns the starting job and succeeds – could have a 30 for 30 one day. He was the backup to D’Eriq King in high school and has never taken a collegiate snap. The receivers consistently praise his passes for their timing and placement. Head coach Dan Mullen called one of his reps last week, “The best play of fall camp.” It was a 6 yard checkdown to his running back. Still, his lack of experience shows at times.

    Jones was Mullen’s first QB commitment as the head coach of the Gators and he is the prototypical Mullen QB. He has good size, speed, a strong arm, and is a powerful runner but is still a bit erratic in the passing game and needs to learn how to play the collegiate game.

    All three quarterbacks have had excellent days in practice so far. All three have looked like a lost cause at times. This is a competition that will rage on over the next few weeks and the coaching staff will be looking for a leader to step up.

    “I’m seeing flashes here and there, but it’s really about consistency of performance,” Mullen said in a press conference earlier this week. “I mean, to be a big-time quarterback, I don’t think they even think they’d know how hard that is. They should understand it by hopefully next summer. I was hoping maybe just one of them it would really click, but I didn’t see that happen. But that doesn’t shock me.”

    Mullen has had a long and successful career in which he has turned many quarterbacks into great players. His ability to develop players at the position is cause for great optimism and hope.

    Quarterbacks coach, Brian Johnson understands what Mullen requires of the position and how to accomplish it. “Our expectations of that room are extremely, extremely high,” he said. “First and foremost, you have to understand that playing that position, you are held to a higher standard than everybody. Everyone is going to look at you and you’re gonna set the standard for what is acceptable in the program. Our guys have to do a great job of continuing to develop. It takes time, but they’ve got to continually take steps in the right direction.”

    The bar is being set high by Mullen and Johnson and they are holding their quarterbacks accountable to that level of expectation. After being one of the last two on the field to begin practice, last week, Trask and Jones received an ear full about being leaders and what that means. They’ve been beating the team out of the locker room everyday since.

    There is a potential for all three to play in the season opener but Mullen says that he would like to have made a decision before then. With live scrimmages scheduled for Monday and next Sunday, rest assured, the coaching staff will be looking for a leader.

  • SOC: F Deanne Rose named to MAC Hermann Trophy watch list

    SOC: F Deanne Rose named to MAC Hermann Trophy watch list

    Photo by Jim Hogue / UAA

    Gators sophomore forward Deanne Rose was named to the MAC Hermann Trophy watch list on Thursday.

    Rose led Florida in goals (9) and points (21) as a freshman in 2017 and earned the SEC’s Freshman of the Year honor. Rose also earned a spot on the All-SEC First Team.

    The Alliston, Ontario native is a member of the Canadian National Team and participated in the 2016 Olympics. Rose helped Team Canada secure a bronze medal by becoming the youngest goal scorer in Olympic play.

    The MAC Hermann Trophy has been awarded to the top collegiate soccer player since 1988 (for women). Florida has never had a winner, however in 1998 Danielle Fotopoulos earned the NSCAA Player of the Year award. In 2002, the Hermann Trophy, NSCAA POY, and MAC POY, merged to create the MAC Hermann Trophy.

    The award winner will be announced at a banquet on January 4, 2019 at the Missouri Atheltic Club in St. Louis.

    *Information for this article provided by the UF Soccer press release.

  • Foley’s refusal to comment lumps Florida into Ohio State, Urban Meyer mess

    Foley’s refusal to comment lumps Florida into Ohio State, Urban Meyer mess

    Photo via Getty Images

    Many Florida fans mocked Ohio State and Urban Meyer when the head coach was placed on administrative leave after lying about his knowledge of assistant coach Zach Smith‘s history of domestic abuse earlier this month.

    On Friday, Meyer’s former boss lumped Florida in the mess that could ultimately cost the Buckeyes coach his job.

    Former ESPN college football reporter Brett McMurphy, who dropped the bombshell report, tweeted this dandy on Friday:

    As a graduate-assistant for Florida in 2009, Smith was arrested for aggravated battery of his pregnant wife. Smith also faced allegations of domestic abuse in 2015 while employed at Ohio State.

    Meyer released a statement last week that (as McMurphy’s tweet reads) he followed proper protocols relating to the arrest of Smith in June 2009 in addition to the 2015 incident.

    Jeremy Foley now serves as the emeritus athletic director at UF and declined to comment (through a university spokesman) when reached by The Associated Press.

    Foley was the AD at Florida from 1992-2016.

    For what it’s worth, the Gainesville Sun’s Pat Dooley believes that there is zero chance that Foley knew anything:

    Foley’s failure to provide clarity in what he knew in 2009 has done his employer no favors. Instead, the Florida football program is now squarely entrenched in the mess in Columbus, OH.

    *NOTE: Zach Smith has never been charged nor convicted for any matter related to domestic violence. Smith was fired as Ohio State’s wide receiver’s coach on July 23.

    Follow the link in McMurphy’s tweet for a more detailed report.

  • VB: Florida ranked #7 in preseason AVCA Coaches Poll

    VB: Florida ranked #7 in preseason AVCA Coaches Poll

    The 2018 Florida Gators will have high expectations despite losing much of the rotation that led them to last season’s national title game.

    On Wednesday, the AVCA preseason poll was released and Florida will enter the season ranked #7.

    This represents twenty-seven straight seasons that the Gators have opened in the Top-15 nationally. Only Nebraska and Stanford hold longer streaks.

    Florida opens the season in the VERT Challenge with a rematch of the 2017 title match against Nebraska on August 24 and will then take on #3 Texas the next day.

    Florida finished 2017 with a 30-2 record and earned a berth into the National Championship contest against the Corn Huskers, but fell 3-1. Head coach Mary Wise was named the 2017 AVCA National Coach of the Year, her third such honor.

    Fans can get their first look at the 2018 team at Fan Day on August 18. Fans will be able to watch the annual scrimmage and engage with players afterwards.

    *Information for this article provided by the UF Volleyball press release.

  • SOC: Gators ranked #7 in United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll

    SOC: Gators ranked #7 in United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll

    Photo by Tim Casey / UAA

    The 2018-19 athletics season is upon us, finally. The University of Florida soccer program is the first to get underway as they will play an exhibition contest in Fort Myers against FGCU on Friday before beginning the regular season a week later.

    On Tuesday, the Gators learned that they will enter the season as the #7 team in the United Soccer Coaches Poll.

    See also: 2018 Gators soccer schedule; new home at the Diz

    The Gators return ten starters from a team that finished 17-7 a year ago and made a postseason run to the Elite Eight.

    Head coach Becky Burleigh will once again be at the helm for Florida. Burleigh has accumulated a record of 407-110-32 in twenty-three seasons at UF.

    Florida will get underway in regular season play on August 17 against Washington at Donald R. Dizney Stadium, where the Gators have moved into on a permanent basis.

    Stay posted with Chomp Talk for all the latest on the University of Florida’s soccer program including a preview of the season prior to the season opener.

  • FB: Familiar face looks to lead Florida out of nearly a decade of purgatory

    FB: Familiar face looks to lead Florida out of nearly a decade of purgatory

    January 8, 2009; Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida: “Tebow takes a knee and that is that! Congratulations to the University of Florida Gators, who have won the school’s third national championship!” That was the call at the end of Dan Mullen‘s final game with the Florida Gators. The culmination of a long and prosperous relationship as a friend and assistant to Urban Meyer.
    The school had just reached the high water mark of the most successful period in it’s history. For his part, Mullen was being rewarded with his first head coaching opportunity. Mullen’s departure would prove to be bittersweet. All were happy for his hard work to pay off but as a friend, a coach, a colleague, and a mentor he would be missed. But did we know just how much?
    During the 2008 championship campaign with Mullen running the offense, the Gators averaged 445.1 YPG and 43.6 PPG. In 2009, Tebow’s senior year, the team averaged 457.9 YPG. however something was noticeably off about the flow of this team. The increase in YPG didn’t translate into more points. On the contrary, the Gators averaged 35.9 PPG. Almost a full eight point decrease. And the problems only got worse after Tebow’s graduation.
    After a short leave of absence leading up to the Sugar Bowl, Meyer returned to coach his senior phenom’s final bow. The following season saw Urban Meyer and the Gators crashing back to earth after a four year high. With a new quarterback and an offensive coordinator who was still trying to find his groove in Meyer’s spread, the offense sputtered along to the tune of 350.8 YPG and just 30.6 PPG. Little did we know, it would never be that good again.
    At the conclusion of the 2010 season, Meyer resigned citing health issues and a desire to spend time with family. Just over a year later, he would join the Ohio State Buckeyes as their new head coach. A move that left a bitter taste in the mouths of Gator Nation.
    Following Meyer’s resignation, the administration hired Will Muschamp. A brilliant defensive mind, Muschamp promised discipline and a blue collar approach. He delivered on both. Unfortunately, he preferred to play a very slow and outdated offense. This didnt sit well with the fans who had become accustomed to the fast and flashy plays of the fun & gun and spread offenses of Spurrier and Meyer respectively, before him.
    During the Muschamp era the Gators flirted with another shot at a national championship- instead they were blown out in the Sugar Bowl by Louisville – and experienced their first losing season since Charlie Pell‘s 1979 team. At their best, at least in terms of offensive production, Muschamp’s gators averaged 30.2 points per game (ultimately, his final season). At their worst? Just 18.8 points per game.
    This lack of offensive production led to the hiring of Jim McElwain. This was a classic case of overselling and under delivering. The offensive guru brought a total lack of discipline and an abrasive approach to front office relations. While he had no solution to Florida’s offensive woes, he had arrogance and apathy to spare.
    Under McElwain, the program saw 28 player arrests and or citations. Along with the now infamous Will Grier PED scandal, the program saw 9 players miss all of last year for a credit card scandal with multiple felonies. This lack of discipline showed in other ways as well. Players were not getting the strength and conditioning they needed which led to mass injuries.
    While winning the East in his first two seasons, McElwain failed to improve the offense. Instead, he took it backwards averaging 22.9, 23.6, and 22.1 points per game respectively. After fostering a strained relationship with the administration, making false death threat allegations, and failing to deliver on his promises of offensive improvement, he was let go mid-season last year.
    They say that the night is darkest before the dawn and these last few years have certainly been dark for a once shining program. But things have a way of coming full circle, too. After ten years in purgatory, this program is on the rise. With Dan Mullen’s homecoming, we can look forward to our once bright past as the benchmark for our future.
  • FB: Trevon Grimes and Van Jefferson cleared to play immediately

    FB: Trevon Grimes and Van Jefferson cleared to play immediately

    Photo via Getty Images

    The Florida Gators finally received the news they have been waiting for since last February when they pulled a pair of huge transfers into the 2018 signing class. On Thursday, the NCAA granted immediate eligibility to Van Jefferson and Trevon Grimes. The two players are expected to give a big boost to Florida’s WR corps.

    Photo via AP Images

    Jefferson, a 6’2″ 181-pound junior from Ole Miss provides a sure handed target to whomever finds themselves behind center this year. He has developed quite a chemistry with Feleipe Franks since his arrival and was superb throughout spring practices. Jefferson still requires clearance from the SEC but is expected to qualify according to the conference’s recent rule change on transfer eligibility. During two seasons with Ole Miss, Jefferson amassed 91 catches for 999 yards and 4 touchdowns. In 2016, Jefferson earned SEC All-Freshman First Team honors.

    Photo via Getty Images

    Grimes is a little less accomplished in his collegiate career but was a blue chip recruit out of Florida’s prestigious St. Thomas Aquinas. In his freshman year with Ohio State, the 6’5″ 214-pound athlete recorded 3 catches for 20 yards before transferring on a medical hardship. Grimes gives the Gators a big body with speed to burn that will prove useful as a deep threat and down near the endzone. In a spring scrimmage that was opened to the media, he had 2 touchdown catches of 50 and 80 yards, respectively.

    Both players have the ability to make an immediate impact for Florida on the offensive side of the ball.

  • BSB: Meet Philip Abner, the 2021 prospect who shut down recruitment with commitment to Florida

    BSB: Meet Philip Abner, the 2021 prospect who shut down recruitment with commitment to Florida

    Photo by: Ann Abner

    The Florida Gators are off to a fast start in the 2021 recruiting cycle. Florida has received seven verbal commitments from prospects about to enter their sophomore year of high school. Among those seven, only one hails from outside of the Sunshine State.

    The lone out of state commitment is from Charlotte, NC native Philip Abner. Abner is a 6’, 200 lb southpaw who has touched 90 on his fastball, which puts his velocity in the top 1% of rising sophomores.

    Abner’s early commitment came only a week after receiving an offer from head coach Kevin O’Sullivan. Abner stated that he wanted to end the recruiting process and “once Florida offered, I knew it was the place to go.”

    Due to new NCAA rules, Abner has been unable to form a relationship with much of the staff at Florida, but O’Sullivan’s reputation certainly preceded him. Abner is “looking forward to junior year so I can really establish a great relationship with (Coach O’Sullivan),” and also expressed interest in making a trip to Gainesville.

    Abner is the #71 ranked player in the 2021 recruiting cycle, and is the #8 LHP on the board according to Perfect Game. Abner attends Covenant Day and helped the Lions to a 16-11 record as a freshman.

    In addition to his fastball, Abner is working with pitching coach Rick Suarez on developing a slider while still perfecting the command on his changeup. He stated that he is out doing drills and throwing on a daily basis. Abner specifically mentioned throwing to his father during many of those sessions.

    While we highlighted O’Sullivan’s success of recruiting the top players in the state of Florida in our last feature, it should be noted that when he does look outside the state, he hasn’t had many misses. And the Charlotte area isn’t foreign to the UF coaching staff either.

    Fellow Charlotte native, Jackson Kowar helped lead the Gators to the College World Series and was selected in the first round of the MLB Draft in June. Abner says that although Kowar didn’t play a major role in his choice, he did have conversations with Kowar and his father. Kowar told Abner that it was the best decision he was ever going to make.

    Abner’s penchant for shutting down the best teams has earned him the nickname ‘Giant Killer’ amongst friends and teammates.

    It’s no secret that the Gator Nation has been spoiled with pitching talent recently, with five pitchers selected in the first round of the MLB Draft in the last three years (including two in 2018). The recruiting of Abner prior to his sophomore year only proves that O’Sullivan and company know exactly what they are looking for to keep the tradition alive in Gainesville.