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  • Florida Gators 2022 Game-By-Game Predictions

    Florida Gators 2022 Game-By-Game Predictions

    Photo by Peter Joneleit | Getty Images

    It’s the dawn of a new era of Florida Gators football. Following a 6-7 season and the hiring of the program’s fourth head coach since 2010, expectations are low. VegasInsider.com has the over/under at seven wins for Florida this season. The following are my preseason game-by-game predictions.

    9/3 Utah 28, Florida 24: The Utes will travel to Gainesville to open the 2022 season with much greater expectations than Florida. They enter as the No. 7 team in the nation but The Swamp will be alive as the game has sold out for Billy Napier’s debut. Still, Utah is the better and deeper team and should leave Gainesville with the win. Record: 0-1, 0-0 SEC

    9/10 Florida 30, Kentucky 20: The hype surrounding this year’s Kentucky team is real. Even Gators great Chris Doering is buying in, predicting the Cats to go 11-1 and win the East. I just can’t see it. Will Levis is an average QB with serious mobility at best and it certainly doesn’t help UK that RB Chris Rodriguez is suspended. This could come back on me, but I think Florida comes in motivated after a positive showing against Utah. Record: 1-1, 1-0 SEC

    9/17 Florida 49, South Florida 14: After a brutally physical open to the season, it’ll be nice to have a group of five opponent in week three. It’s especially nice since USF has struggled mightily under head coach Jeff Scott (3-18 overall) and figures to do the same in 2022. VegasInsider projects USF at 4.5 wins, one of those will not happen in The Swamp. Record 2-1, 1-0 SEC

    9/24 Florida 35, Tennessee 31: Florida travels to Knoxville and will have to put up some points against Josh Huepel’s high powered offense. I expect a disciplined defensive approach and Florida’s offense to carry the momentum gained in the USF game. The Gators will have to control the clock and run the ball effectively to get the win. I also think UT drops a week two matchup with Pitt that takes some of the energy from the matchup. Record: 3-1, 2-0 SEC

    *If the Gators somehow manage to be 3-1 at this point of the season, the fan base should be ecstatic. It’s a rigorous four game stretch against the nation’s No. 7, No. 20 (Kentucky), and No. 26 (Tennessee) ranked teams in the preseason AP Poll.

    10/1 Florida 52, Eastern Washington 20: The Eagles are ranked No. 15 in a preseason FCS poll after finishing last year ranked No. 7. They are a quality team. However, Florida is a much more talented team and should run away with this one. Record: 4-1, 2-0 SEC

    10/8 Florida 27, Missouri 17: Florida fired Dan Mullen the day after losing in Columbia last year. Unless Mizzou makes a surprising rise in the SEC East standings, head coach Eli Drinkwitz could be on the hot seat this time around. The Tigers’ defense was the second worst in the SEC a year ago and the offense has question marks at every position. Record: 5-1, 3-0 SEC

    10/15 Florida 24, LSU 23: Two programs that are basically starting over meeting in The Swamp. This game could go either way, but I think Billy Napier is going to set the tone that the Gators don’t lose in Gainesville. If the team plays as disciplined as they’ve preached all pre-season, this is a very winnable game. Record: 6-1, 4-0 SEC

    10/29 Georgia 37, Florida 23: The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party will see both teams head to Jacksonville ranked (if these predictions hold true). Unfortunately, the Bulldogs are just so much more talented and deep. That’s the difference in recruiting in the top three and in the top fifteen. That’s what Billy Napier was brought in to fix. It’ll be on display at TIAA Bank Field. Record: 6-2, 4-1 SEC

    11/5 Texas A&M 27, Florida 20: The Aggies enter 2022 with serious expectations. They open the season No. 6 in the AP Poll and return a ton of experienced players, especially on offense. Additionally, they have recruited at a high level since the arrival of Jimbo Fisher including the No. 1 class in 2022. A&M was No. 14 in the nation in scoring defense. Florida will also be playing at Kyle Field for the second time in three years. Record: 6-3, 4-2 SEC

    11/12 Florida 31, South Carolina 17: In predicting this game in Florida’s favor, I’m trusting two things. I believe in Billy Napier not allowing the wheels to fall off the bus despite being out of the SEC East race. I also believe that he is setting the tone for dominance in The Swamp. USC is building a talented roster under Shane Beamer, but they aren’t there just yet. Record: 7-3, 5-2 SEC

    11/19 Florida 45, Vanderbilt 13: With all the conference realignment set to occur over the next few years, why is Vanderbilt still in the SEC? The administration at Vandy doesn’t care about athletics and it shows in their results on the field. Regardless, this will still be a very bad football team (despite their 63-10 win over Hawaii on Saturday) and Florida will cruise to victory, in front of a mostly orange and blue crowd in Nashville. Record: 8-3, 6-2 SEC

    11/25 Florida 35, Florida State 24: The Noles will be better than they have been the last half-decade. I mean, how can it get much worse? Despite Florida’s struggles recruiting the last few cycles, Florida State has fallen on even harder times. The Gators are more talented and should pull out the win at Doak. Record 9-3, 6-2 SEC

  • VB: Florida Sweeps Virginia in Gators Invitational Finale

    VB: Florida Sweeps Virginia in Gators Invitational Finale

    Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk

    No. 15 Florida Gators volleyball beat the Virginia Cavaliers, 3-0, in its third match of the Gators Invitational Saturday. They previously beat North Florida, 3-1, and East Tennessee State University, 3-1 in the season opening tournament.

    Aside from a couple hiccups, the Gators had control over the Cavaliers and never let up. The team established a quick lead in the first set and held onto it for the remainder of the period.

    Marina Markova was off to a quick start and tallied 2 kills through the first 7 points. Markova’s service ace gave Florida a 6-4 lead it never lost.

    The Gators went on a 19-7 run to close out the first set, 25-11, and give them a dominant first set victory. The second set saw more of the same from the red-hot Gators.

    The team cruised to a 25-7 second set victory topped off by Alexis Stucky’s set-winning service ace.

    The third set saw the teams going back and forth. The set was tied after 16 serves, but it was UF that was able to steal the momentum and take the set, 25-18.

    The team dominated both teams it faced in Saturday’s double header and never showed signs of slowing down. Coach Mary Wise said the players were energetic despite playing in two games Saturday.

    “An older team, you would have heard about how tired they were,” Wise said. “But not this group.”

    Florida’s .521 hitting percentage was much more efficient than Virginia’s .141. The Gators had not hit over .500 since March 13, 2021, against Missouri.

    Merritt Beason was instrumental in the game, and the weekend as a whole, as she was named tournament MVP. She had 12 kills on 17 attacks and added on 6 digs and 3 service aces.

    Beason was a standout, but she had plenty of help from her teammates. Markova and Stucky both made the All-Tournament Team due to their efforts.

    Markova had 14 kills on 25 attacks, adding on 2 service aces in the process. Stucky set up her teammates beautifully with 33 assists and 5 service aces.

    Beason said the team is playing well together and has bonded greatly in their short time together.

    “This team is super close, and I think that makes a big difference on the court,” Beason said.

    The Gators’ next match comes at 7 p.m. Tuesday in its top-15 matchup against No. 14 Stanford.

  • SOC: Gators Pick Up First Win in Bohon Era

    SOC: Gators Pick Up First Win in Bohon Era

    Photo by Benjamin Fox | ChompTalk

    Following a 3-0 defeat to UCF in their season opener, the Florida Gators earned the first win of the 2022 campaign in DeLand against the Stetson Hatters Sunday evening.

    The 3-0 win is the first win for new head coach Samantha Bohon after she took over in July.

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    A pair of Gators picked up their first collegiate goals in the 2-0 win. Junior defender Anna Deleon capitalized in the 24th minute to put the Gators on top

    Redshirt freshman Sophie White added a tally early in the second half (49th minute) and Alivia Gonzalez capped a feed from Lauren McCloskey in the 77th minute to put the Gators ahead 3-0 and complete the scoring.

    For the entirety of the match, Florida dominated possession taking twenty eight shots while the Hatters managed just 7.

    The Gators will travel to Austin, Texas for a pair of matches beginning Thursday. The first game will see UF face Baylor while the Gators will play Texas on Sunday.

  • VB: Gators Ranked No. 15 in Preseason AVCA Poll

    VB: Gators Ranked No. 15 in Preseason AVCA Poll

    Photo by Jamie Schwaberow | Getty Images

    College volleyball is right around the corner, which means the Florida Gators are ranked among the nation’s elite. With the release of Monday’s preseason AVCA Poll, the Gators find themselves in the familiar position of being ranked inside the top-15.

    Florida is ranked No. 15 in the poll, the second highest of any SEC team (Kentucky, 11). This marks the 31st straight year UF is ranked in the top-15 to open the season. The streak is the third longest in the nation, trailing only Nebraska (active) and Stanford.

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    In 2021, Florida finished 22-9 and 14-4 in SEC play. The Gators advanced to the Regional Final of the NCAA tournament for the 18th time in program history.

    Florida opens the 2022 campaign with the Gators Invitational where they will face North Florida, East Tennessee State, and Virginia over opening weekend, August 26-27.

  • 2024 4-Star LB Myles Graham Commits to Gators

    2024 4-Star LB Myles Graham Commits to Gators

    Photo by Ryan Callagan | 247Sports

    A big recruiting weekend continued for Billy Napier’s program Sunday as a blue-chip prospect in the 2024 cycle committed to the Gators.

    LB Myles Graham made the announcement via social media:

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    Graham is rated a four-star prospect by the 247Sports composite rankings. Additionally, he is the No. 2 linebacker in the nation and the No. 52 overall prospect in the class.

    The Gators beat out a whose who of the top programs in the nation for the talented prospect out of Atlanta. Alabama, Georgia, and Florida State were among the more than 35 offers Graham received.

    The 6’1, 212 lb linebacker is the son of former Gators running back Earnest Graham, who also spent eight years in the NFL.

    Graham is the first commitment in Florida’s 2024 class.

  • Gators Land Commitment From 2023 4-Star DL Will Norman

    Gators Land Commitment From 2023 4-Star DL Will Norman

    Photo by Andrew Ivins | 247Sports

    2023 4-star DL Will Norman announced his commitment to Florida via social media Saturday, becoming the second blue-chip prospect to make the pledge on the day.

    Norman, a 6’5, 290 lb prospect from IMG Academy announced the commitment Saturday evening.

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    Per the 247Sports composite rankings, Norman is a four-star defensive lineman. He is the nation’s No. 21 DL and the No. 143 overall prospect in the 2023 recruiting cycle.

    Norman was highly sought after with more than twenty offers including scholarships from Auburn, Florida State, and Boston College, among others. Florida co-DC Sean Spencer led the recruitment of Norman.

    Norman is Florida’s nineteenth commitment to the 2023 class. He’s also the fourth defensive lineman in the class for the Gators, who are putting an emphasis on the trenches on the trail. The two commitments moved Florida up to No. 11 in the recruiting rankings, per 247Sports.

  • 2023 4-Star DL Kelby Collins Commits to Gators

    2023 4-Star DL Kelby Collins Commits to Gators

    Photo by Gene Swindoll | 247Sports

    Despite it being a dead period in the recruiting calendar, the Florida Gators picked up a major pledge from 4-star defensive lineman Kelby Collins Saturday.

    The 6’5, 280 lb prospect announced his commitment live on Instagram.

    Collins is rated a four-star prospect by the 247Sports composite and is ranked the No. 6 DL in the nation, No. 70 prospect overall.

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    The Gardendale, AL native held more than twenty-five offers including many of the top programs in the nation. Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma, and South Carolina are among the programs to offer the talented defender. Co-Defensive Coordinators Sean Spencer and Patrick Toney led the recruitment of Collins.

    In 2021, Collins cracked up 81 tackles, 20 for loss, and accumulated 12 sacks for Gardendale High.

    Collins is the eighteenth member of Florida’s 2023 class and is the highest rated prospect according to 247Sports. The class is ranked No. 12 in the nation at this time.

  • WGYM: Kayla DiCello: Fired Up and Flying High

    WGYM: Kayla DiCello: Fired Up and Flying High

    The University of Florida has a long history of high-caliber recruits, and the incoming class for the 2023 season is no exception. Kayla DiCello is the most accomplished of the class, with an Olympic alternate berth and a World all-around bronze medal to her name, among many other international and national accomplishments.

    DiCello has been verbally committed to Florida since shortly after her first appearance on the junior national team in 2018, but she signed her NLI this past fall, making that commitment formal. She will bring strong routines on all four apparatus, though with five seniors returning and the addition of two transfers from Georgia, it will be hard for anyone, even DiCello, to make all four lineups in a single week.

    We had a chance to speak with her while she was at Pan Ams Selection Camp a few weeks ago, where she was selected to the team that later won silver in Rio, and she shared a few thoughts about her commitment process and what she’s looking forward to.

    DiCello with the U.S. Pan Ams team winning silver earlier this summer.
    Photo: Ricardo Bufolin via University of Florida.

    She was first drawn to Florida after seeing the high success level of Gators both athletically and academically. She said, “It was important [to me] to be at a school that had enthusiasm and excitement around the gymnastics program. Seeing the enthusiastic crowds at each meet is amazing, [and] along with the team’s support of one another, [that] really drew me to the University of Florida.” The caliber of the facilities, the achievements of the program, and the supportive environment among the athletes were highlights for DiCello that set Florida apart from the other options she was considering.

    She quickly bonded with the coaches upon her first visit, saying, ” I somewhat knew this was the right place for me from the first interaction with the coaches… [they] were very nice, relatable, and supportive from the first time I talked to them.”

    Head coach Jenny Rowland stood out to her in particular as someone who would be in her corner. Her one word to describe Rowland? “Genuine… from the first time we talked. She was very welcoming and easy to talk with. I had the opportunity to watch a team practice, and I was happy to see how much she cared about the athletes and her passion for the sport.”

    DiCello recognized that not only did Florida fit the bill as far as gymnastics, but academically as well. She hopes to study sports medicine, which is historically a strong program at UF, as well as a program that several Gator Gymnastics alumni have previously studied. She did consider a few other schools, but said that “once [she] toured Florida’s campus and spent time with the coaches, [she] knew that Florida was a perfect fit.”

    With her background on the U.S. national team, DiCello already feels a strong sense of connection to the team. “There are so many amazing gymnasts on this team and I have had the opportunity to spend time with many of them,” she said. “I am so excited to build on our past relationships and create even more memories here.”

    When asked about the greatest strength she think she brings to the table, rather than naming an event, DiCello had this to say: “A high level of hard work, consistency, and enthusiasm.” Her favorite apparatus, though, is bars. “It’s so much fun to execute release moves on the bars and swing them, such an amazing feeling.” She also loves her double layout on floor, so clearly flying is part of the appeal!

    Gymnastics is all about energy and self-improvement for DiCello. “I love the energy the comes from competing in front of the crowds and having the opportunity to inspire young girls in their pursuit of gymnastics,” she told us. Her favorite meet she’s competed in was the 2021 Olympic Trials, “because the pressure and excitement centered on the opportunity to be selected to the Olympic team. The process leading up the meet as well as the meet itself was an unforgettable experience for sure.” She thrives under that pressure, loving the process of learning new skills and mastering them for high-level competitions like Trials.

    With her enthusiasm for high-pressure environments, it makes sense that DiCello would want to squeeze a few more meets into her elite career. She plans to compete at U.S. Championships, which will take place just a few hours south of UF in Tampa on August 18-21. It’ll be a great opportunity for local Gator fans to see her in person, so be sure to head to Amalie Arena if you can! If not, it will be broadcast on NBC networks throughout the weekend.

    Following Championships, DiCello will almost immediately head for Gainesville, though according to Rowland, she hasn’t ruled out a run at the Olympics in Paris in 2024. She’s looking forward to her freshman year with a positive attitude and a competitive spirit, and she’ll need both if she’s going to make lineups within this stacked team. Gator fans should look forward to seeing her fly, especially on bars and floor, this coming season!

  • The Gridiron Growl Podcast: Media Day and The Open of Fall Camp

    The Gridiron Growl Podcast: Media Day and The Open of Fall Camp

    Check out the first episode of the third season of The Gridiron Growl Podcast.

    Host Mark McLeod shares his thoughts on several topics including Florida’s Media Day and the open of the first fall camp under Billy Napier.

    Click play on the following audio player to listen to this episode The Gridiron Growl Podcast:

    You can also follow The Gridiron Growl Podcast on the following platforms:

  • Florida RHP Brandon Sproat Returning to Gators for 2023

    Florida RHP Brandon Sproat Returning to Gators for 2023

    Photo by Samuel Lewis | Getty Images

    Following his third round selection in the 2022 MLB Draft, Florida RHP Brandon Sproat has made the decision to return to UF for a fourth year.

    Sproat was drafted with the No. 90 overall pick by the New York Mets in July following a scorching end to the collegiate season. The value of the nintieth pick is slotted for $691,300. MLB.com’s Jim Callis was the first to report that the Mets and Sproat failed to reach a deal.

    Sproat finished the 2022 campaign with a 9-4 record to go along with a 3.41 ERA across seventeen appearances, sixteen starts. The Pensacola, FL native excelled when the Gators needed it the most after Friday night starter Hunter Barco went down with season ending Tommy John surgery. Sproat was especially dominant over his last month and a half of the season, going 5-0 with a 1.59 ERA over his final six starts of the year.

    Sproat is the latest returner to the Florida program. Catcher BT Riopelle and infielder Colby Halter announced their returns previously. Josh Rivera announced his return shortly thereafter.

    Additionally, the Gators have added an impact arm from the transfer portal in Hurston Waldrep from Southern Miss.