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Michael Pfeffer lives in Knoxville, TN with his wife and daughter. Growing up in South Florida, he has been a lifelong Florida Gators fan. When not writing, he enjoys spending time with his family and volunteering at church and with a prison ministry.
  • FB: Gators flip 4-star LB Diwun Black from Ole Miss

    FB: Gators flip 4-star LB Diwun Black from Ole Miss

    Photo via 247Sports
    The Gators have flipped 6’4, 219 lb, 4-star linebacker, Diwun Black from Mississippi.

    Black announced his commitment to the Gators via Twitter on Thursday:

    The Forest, MS native clocked a 4.6 second, 40 yard dash is considered on of top prospects in the 2019 recruiting cycle. Black is the #53 ranked player in the 2019 recruiting class and is the #3 ILB in the cycle according to 247Sports.

    In his career at Forest High School, Black has amassed 133 tackles, 15 interceptions, 12 pass break ups, 4 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, and 5 total touchdowns. He caught the attention of Dan Mullen and his staff while at Miss State and they continued courting the talented athlete once they arrived in Gainesville.
    At this year’s Friday Night Lights, Black said the staff rolled out the red carpet and really impressed him. Beyond the royal treatment, he was drawn to the coaches and their plans for him within their system. “I like the position (safety/linebacker) that they’ve talked to me about. It’s like a rover type. They play 3-4 so they kind of just told me my role in the defense.”

    Black has the potential to be an early impact player as soon as he makes it to Gainesville.

  • FB: Gators land commitment of 2020 4-star DE Kedrick Bingley-Jones

    FB: Gators land commitment of 2020 4-star DE Kedrick Bingley-Jones

    Photo via 247Sports

    Florida picked up a huge commitment for the class of 2020 on Tuesday. Kedrick Bingley-Jones, a 4 star SDE out of Providence Day School in Charlotte, NC, announced his decision to play for the Gators after attending Friday Night Lights in Gainesville last weekend. Bingley-Jones made the commitment public with a Twitter post:

    With a 6’4, 260 lb frame, Bingley-Jones is an imposing specimen. He has received offers from 18 schools including Ohio State, Florida State, and Georgia. However, he really enjoyed the staff and atmosphere in Gainesville.

    Bingley-Jones is rated as the #259 prospect in the country and the #14 DE for the 2020 recruiting cycle.

    In his sophomore year, Bingley-Jones racked up 60 tackles with 22 of them being for a loss. He also had 7 sacks on the year in addition to recovering a fumble while forcing three others.

  • FB: Local 3-star QB Anthony Richardson commits to Gators 2020 class

    FB: Local 3-star QB Anthony Richardson commits to Gators 2020 class

    Photo by: Andrew Ivins / 247Sports

    The Florida Gators landed a commitment from a local prospect on Saturday. Eastside High School’s Anthony Richardson officially announced his commitment to Florida on the heels of Friday Night Lights via Twitter.

    At 6’4″, 213 lbs the 3-star QB gives the Gators a solid dual-threat option for the 2020 recruiting class. Assistant coaches John Hevesy and Brian Johnson have been in regular contact with Richardson since his recruitment began with an offer on May 17. Richardson camped at Florida’s Friday Night Lights recruiting event last night.

    Richardson is rated as the #9 dual-threat QB in the 2020 cycle, and threw for 1,234 yards and 10 touchdowns while also accumulating nearly 500 yards on the ground in 2017 as a sophomore.

    When asked what stood out for Florida, Richardson replied, “really the coaching. That stands out the most to me. They’re more hands on and focused with (the players).” He is especially fond of Johnson and Mullen’s coaching styles.

    Gainesville (or nearby) residents can watch the future Gators signal caller as Eastside opens the season on August 24 against city rival Buchholz.

  • Report: Tebow likely out remainder of year

    Report: Tebow likely out remainder of year

    Photo via Getty Images

    ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that Mets prospect Tim Tebow broke a bone in his hand and will likely miss the remainder of the season.

    Tebow left Thursday’s Binghamton victory after experiencing discomfort during his seventh inning at-bat.

    Tebow was placed on the disabled list Sunday afternoon.

    See Also: Tim Tebow scores winning run, injures hand

    Tebow has had a serviceable season at Double-A Binghamton, hitting a respectable .273 while hitting 6 HR and driving in 36 runners in 84 games.

  • BSB: Meet Tyler Owens, the 2019 Gators commit who throws 98 mph

    BSB: Meet Tyler Owens, the 2019 Gators commit who throws 98 mph

    Photo via Tyler Owens

    The state of Florida is known for the athletes that have come out of the state to thrive in collegiate and professional organizations. While football is the headliner, the University of Florida is proving that the state isn’t lagging in producing top notch baseball talent either.
    The Gators have feasted with rosters that have been largely comprised of in-state athletes, and have made four consecutive trips to the College World Series in Omaha, NE. The 2014 Gators recruiting class featured only three players from outside of Florida, while the 2015-2017 classes only contained four prospects (total) that didn’t reside in state. Clearly, Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan has chosen to target local prospects who are familiar with the Gators brand and successes.
    One local prospect who recently announced his commitment to Florida is Ocala native, Tyler Owens. Owens is a rising senior at Trinity Catholic High who recently touched 98 mph on his fastball. Owens chose the Gators via a Twitter post on July 21 after spending much time as a Florida State commit.

    Owens chose to decommit from the Seminoles due to the uncertainty in the program with Coach Mike Martin set to retire after the 2019 season. Florida State has chosen not to look for a new coach until after the season, leaving many of the current recruits in the dark.
    Within a week of his decommitment, O’Sullivan and the Gators staff offered Owens. Owens was familiar with the Florida coaching staff after attending a camp several years ago. Owens stated that Gators assistant coach Craig Bell has even watched him pitch several times.
    But why would Florida swoop in and immediately offer Owens?
    Aside from a fastball that is among the highest velocity of any high school prospect in the country, he has shown good command of a sharp slider and a good change up.
    Perfect Game has Owens ranked as the #10 prospect in the state and the #53 overall prospect in the 2019 recruiting class.
    Owens is listed by Perfect Game at 5’10, 185 lbs, not exactly the frame that screams ace by baseball standards. He states that he is determined to prove that height isn’t everything when it comes to a pitcher, and that he will prove any doubters wrong.
    What’s next for Tyler Owens?
    Owens will finish his high school career in Ocala next spring. Owens and Trinity Catholic made it to the Regional finals before falling to #1 seed Calvary Christian (Clearwater). Owens missed much of the year with a scapular imbalance which caused inflammation in his shoulder, but he did return for the playoff run. Owens is completely healed and stated “I have never felt better, and my velocity has made a big jump.”
    The Celtics will feature several division one prospects as they boast power hitting outfielder (and UF commit) Jud Fabian, and catcher (and FSU commit) Bryce Boone. Owens is excited to play with Fabian at the next level stating that it “is going to be unreal because [we] grew up playing with each other since we were eight.”
    Florida will have a special player headed to campus in the summer of 2019. Someone who has grown up as a fan of the Orange and Blue. Someone who understands the tradition of Florida baseball. Someone who “can’t wait to play for [Coach O’Sullivan].”

  • Tim Tebow scores game winning run, injures hand

    Tim Tebow scores game winning run, injures hand

    Photo via Getty Images

    Former Heisman Trophy winning quarterback turned professional baseball player Tim Tebow will see a hand specialist early next week. Tebow injured his right hand in Thursday’s 3-2 Binghamton victory over Trenton.

    Tebow scored the game winning run in the second inning, but left with discomfort in his wrist and hand during his seventh inning at-bat.

    Tebow underwent an MRI on Friday, however, the Rumble Ponies haven’t released any information.

    This has led Tyler Feldman of WBNG to speculate that the injury may be more serious than originally believed:

    Tebow is hitting .273 with 6 HR and 36 RBI in Double-A Binghamton. Earlier this month, Tebow participated in the Eastern League All-Star Game where he went 1-2 with a double in his first at-bat.

    UPDATE: Per MiLB.com, Tim Tebow has landed on the disabled list.

    “The organization and our medical trainer required him to go to New York as soon as possible,” Binghamton manager Luis Rojas stated. “We have to find out what the discomfort is, we just have to make sure it’s nothing major.”

  • FB: Gators C TJ McCoy named to Rimington Trophy watchlist

    FB: Gators C TJ McCoy named to Rimington Trophy watchlist

    Photo via Getty Images

    Florida redshirt junior TJ McCoy was named to the watchlist for the Rimington Trophy on Friday.

    McCoy anchored the offensive line as the starting center in nine games last season before suffering a season ending injury in November.

    See Also: LB David Reese named to Bednarik watchlist

    McCoy is a 6’1, 314 lb lineman from Clermont, FL who attended South Lake High before attending Florida.

    McCoy’s father, Tony, played defensive tackle for Florida before enjoying a nine year NFL career with Indianapolis and Arizona.

    Image via Twitter.com/rimingtontrophy

    The Rimington Trophy is named for former Nebraska center, Dave Rimington, who was one of the top centers in college football history. The award is given to the most outstanding center in college football every year since 2000. The award also serves as a fundraiser for the Boomer Esiason Foundation’s fight against cystic fibrosis.

    Former Gator Maurkice Pouncey earned the honor in 2009.

  • SB: Jennifer Rocha accepts position at Oklahoma

    SB: Jennifer Rocha accepts position at Oklahoma

    Photo by Tim Casey / UAA

    Jennifer Rocha has accepted a position with the Oklahoma Sooners. Rocha was announced as the Sooners’ associate head coach on Wednesday.

    Rocha spent the last thirteen years in Gainesville and has been instrumental in turning Florida into a national powerhouse.

    Rocha was elevated to associate head coach at Florida prior to the 2018 season. Rocha has overseen the Gators pitching staff since her arrival on the staff.

    SEE ALSO: Tim Walton agrees to ten year extension with UF

    Under her guidance, Florida has led the nation in ERA three times (2009, 2016, 2017) and the Gators have produced seven All-American pitchers.

    Head coach Tim Walton had this to say about Rocha, “We are definitely wishing the Rocha family all of our best.” Walton noted that he has spent twenty of his last twenty-one seasons in the same dugout as Rocha and called her a true professional and a friend.

  • FB: Gators LB David Reese named to Bednarik watchlist

    FB: Gators LB David Reese named to Bednarik watchlist

    Photo via Getty Images

    Florida linebacker David Reese was named to the Bednarik Award watchlist, the Maxwell Football club announced on Monday.

    Reese was the team’s leading tackler last year in 2017 with 102 including 46 total while manning the inside linebacker post. Reese also totaled 1.5 sacks and ten tackles for loss. The junior also recorded an interception.

    The junior from Farmington, MI is expected to be an inside backer in Florida’s new 3-4 scheme.

    The Bednarik Award is awarded annually to the nation’s best defensive player (as voted by Maxwell Club) and is presented at a ceremony in Atlantic City, NJ. Since the inception of the award in 1995, no Gator has earned the award. According to the UF press release, only two Gators gave been nominated for the preseason watch list since 2010.

    The honor is named after Chuck Bednarik who starred as a two-way player at Pennsylvania and played 13 years with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles. ‘Concrete Charlie’ has his #60 retired by the Eagles.

  • Peter Alonso homers in MLB Futures Game, Buddy Reed also goes 1-2 in Team USA victory

    Peter Alonso homers in MLB Futures Game, Buddy Reed also goes 1-2 in Team USA victory

    Photo via Getty Images

    The University of Florida was well represented at the MLB Futures Game in the nation’s capital on Sunday.

    Team USA featured a trio of former Gators who are rising through their respective organizations. The USA defeated the World team 10-6.

    First baseman Peter Alonso, the #2 prospect in the New York Mets’ system went 1-2 with a two-run blast in the seventh that put Team USA up 9-6.

    Centerfielder Buddy Reed showed off his speed just two batters after Alonso’s homer by singling on ball hit to second. Reed advanced to second base on the throwing error by World 2B Luis Garcia.

    San Francisco prospect Shaun Anderson pitched an inning in relief to earn the win. Anderson also gets credited with a blown save as Dodgers #4 prospect Yuniel Diaz hit his second homer of the contest off Anderson to tie the game in the top of the seventh.

    Alonso has been a quick riser through the Mets organization. After spending nearly all of 2017 in Single-A St. Lucie (Alonso was promoted late in the season), Alonso spent just 76 games in Double-A before being promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas.

    Alonso has struggled a bit since arriving to the highest level of minor league baseball, hitting just .190. He has shown flashes of excellence as he has recorded six homers and 23 RBI in his 23 games since his promotion.

    Reed, who was drafted in the second round in the 2016 MLB Draft by San Diego, was promoted to Double-A San Antonio just last week after hitting .324 in Single-A Lake Elsinore. Reed also recorded 12 homers and 47 RBI in addition to 33 stolen bases in 79 games.

    Anderson is ranked as the #7 prospect in the San Francisco Giants’ organization. Anderson has started 16 games despite mostly being used in relief in his time at Florida.

    Anderson has a 6-5 record to go along with a 3.45 ERA in Double-A Richmond. In 94 innings of work this year, Anderson has struck out 93 batters while only walking 22.

    Stay posted with Chomp Talk for the latest on former Florida players and their pursuit of Major League Baseball.

    Feel free to email us or comment on this post or on social media as to whom you’d like to be updated on.