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  • 2023 4-Star WR Andy Jean Commits to Gators

    2023 4-Star WR Andy Jean Commits to Gators

    Photo by Andrew Ivins | 247Sports

    The frenzy of Friday Night Lights has continued into Saturday’s cookout for the Florida football program. Just hours after landing a commitment from safety Jordan Castellan, the Gators secured the commitment of another blue-chip prospect in the 2023 recruiting cycle.

    Former Miami Hurricanes commit, Andy Jean announced his commitment via social media Saturday, becoming the sixteenth commit in Florida’s class.

    Jean, a four-star WR from Miami – Northwestern High, is the nation’s No. 42 WR and No. 332 prospect overall.

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    Florida beat out offers from Alabama, Tennessee, and Miami, among others. WR coach Keary Colbert led the charge for the Gators while DB coach Corey Raymond played a secondary role in Jean’s recruitment to UF.

    Jean originally committed to Miami in January before de-committing a couple weeks after an unofficial visit to Gainesville in March. Three days after de-committing, Jean received an offer from the Gators’ staff.

    As a junior at powerhouse Northwestern, Jean hauled in 40 reception for 733 yards and 8 touchdowns.

    Florida is now ranked No. 12 nationally and is the fourth best class in the SEC in the 2023 recruiting cycle team rankings.

  • Gators Land Commitment From 2023 4-Star S Jordan Castell

    Gators Land Commitment From 2023 4-Star S Jordan Castell

    Photo by Andrew Ivins | 247Sports

    The recruiting machine continues to churn at the University of Florida as the Friday Night Lights camp has given way to the annual cookout. Head coach Billy Napier and his staff landed yet another blue-chip commitment, this time from in-state, four-star safety Jordan Castell.

    The 6’2, 195 lb prospect announced his commitment on social media Saturday morning.

    Castell, a native of Winter Garden, FL, is ranked a four-star prospect according to the 247Sports composite. He is rated as the nation’s No. 13 safety and No. 202 prospect overall.

    Castell has offers from most of the top programs including Alabama, Oklahoma, Penn State, and many more. Florida defensive coordinator Patrick Toney was the primary recruiter for Castell, though DB coach Corey Raymond also played a role in securing the commitment.

    Castell has racked up 82 tackles the last two years to go along with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries while playing with West Orange High School. Both fumble recoveries were taken for touchdowns.

    Castell is the fifteenth commitment in the Gators’ 2023 recruiting class. Florida is now ranked No. 13 in the nation, according to 247Sports.

  • 2023 4-Star WR Aidan Mizell Commits to Gators

    2023 4-Star WR Aidan Mizell Commits to Gators

    Photo by Andrew Ivins | 247Sports

    Just prior to the annual Friday Night Lights camp and recruiting event, new Florida head coach Billy Napier received some positive news on the trail. Four-star, in-state WR Aidan Mizell committed to the Gators and announced it via social media Friday afternoon.

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    The 6’2, 180 lb prospect from Orlando is rated a four-star prospect by the 247Sports composite rankings. He is the nation’s No. 13 ranked WR in the 2023 class and the No. 72 overall player in the recruiting cycle.

    Mizell opted to commit to Florida despite offers from Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee, among many others. Keary Colbert served as his primary recruiter since taking over Florida’s wide receiver group while TE coach Darnell Stapleton played a secondary role.

    The Boone High School product hauled in 47 receptions for 1,003 yards and 18 touchdowns in his junior campaign. He also runs track at Boone as he qualified for state championships in the 100 meter and 400 meter events.

    Mizell is the fourteenth commitment in Florida’s 2023 class. The Gators rose to No. 14 in the 247Sports rankings with the pledge.

  • 2023 4-Star CB Ja’Keem Jackson Commits to Gators

    2023 4-Star CB Ja’Keem Jackson Commits to Gators

    Photo by Andrew Ivins | 247Sports

    The Florida Gators stayed hot on the recruiting trail leading up to the annual Friday Night Lights recruiting camp by picking up a commitment from an in-state four-star defensive back in the 2023 recruiting class.

    Osceola High (Kissimmee, FL) prospect Ja’Keem Jackson announced his commitment to Florida via social media Thursday.

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    The 6’1, 180 lb cornerback is rated a 4-star prospect in the latest 247 composite rankings. Jackson is listed as the nation’s No. 19 cornerback and No. 168 prospect overall.

    Florida landed Jackson’s commitment despite interest from many of the nation’s elite programs including Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, and Penn State. Florida DB coach Corey Raymond was the primary recruiter for the talented prospect while tight ends coach William Peagler also played a role in the process.

    Jackson played WR and CB at Osceola and hauled in 36 receptions for 548 yards and four touchdowns. Additionally, he recorded three interceptions on the defensive side of the ball

    Florida’s 2023 class now stands at No. 17 (according to 247Sports) in the nation with thirteen commitments.

  • VB: Caroline Knop Returns to UF as Volunteer Assistant Coach

    VB: Caroline Knop Returns to UF as Volunteer Assistant Coach

    Photo by Justin Tafoya | Getty Images

    Two time All-American Caroline Knop is returning to Gainesville as the volleyball program’s volunteer assistant coach, head coach Mary Wise announced Monday.

    Knop was a member of the 2017 Gators squad that advanced to the national championship match. Florida dropped a 3-1 decision to Nebraska in that match.

    Knop called Gainesville home for her junior and senior years after transferring from Michigan. The Pasadena, CA native was named an AVCA All-American during both campaigns, in addition to earning All-SEC honors each season.

    At Florida, Knop averaged 4.42 digs per set which ranks second in program history.

    Knop has been an assistant coach at the College of Charleston for the last three years.

  • Gators to Open Phil Knight Legacy Tournament Against Xavier

    Gators to Open Phil Knight Legacy Tournament Against Xavier

    Photo by Joel Auerbach | Getty Images

    The Florida Gators learned their opponent for the Phil Knight Legacy Tournament opener Monday. In fact, they will face the team that ended the Gators’ 2021-22 season just four months ago in the NIT, the Xavier Musketeers.

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    Both teams will enter this matchup with new coaches as both participated in the NIT with interim head coaches.

    The two teams have squared off five times in the past with Florida trailing the series 2-3 all-time.

    The Musketeers and Gators are scheduled for tipoff at 5:30 PM on Thursday, November 24. The winner and loser will be paired with the winner and loser of the Duke – Oregon State contest the following day. Florida will then play a team from the opposite side of the bracket on November 27 to close out the event. Those four possible opponents are: Gonzaga, Portland State, Purdue, and West Virginia.

    Florida opens its season on November 7 against Stony Brook in Gainesville.

  • MLB Draft: Gators RHP Brandon Sproat Selected in Third Round

    MLB Draft: Gators RHP Brandon Sproat Selected in Third Round

    Photo by Samuel Lewis | Getty Images

    After seeing three players selected on day one of the Major League Baseball Draft, Florida only saw one players drafted on day two. RHP Brandon Sproat was taken by the New York Mets with the 90th overall pick.

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    Sproat entered the season with more questions than answers as he had failed to live up to expectations. After playing with the Collegiate National Team in the summer of 2021, the fireballer entered the 2022 season with confidence. That confidence allowed the Pace, FL native to have a career year and an incredible run over the final six weeks of the season.

    Over his final six starts, Sproat filled in admirably for injured ace Hunter Barco as he went 5-0 with a 1.58 ERA.

    Sproat is the fourth Gators baseball player to be selected in this year’s draft joining Sterlin Thompson (31), Barco (44), and Jud Fabian (67).

    The MLB Draft will conclude Tuesday with rounds 11-20 and will begin at 2:00 PM.

  • Pair of Gators Selected in Second Round of MLB Draft

    Pair of Gators Selected in Second Round of MLB Draft

    Photo by Daniel Shirey | Getty Images

    Following the selection of Sterlin Thompson in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft, the Florida Gators saw two more of their top prospects taken on the first day as LHP Hunter Barco and OF Jud Fabian were each drafted in the second round.

    Barco was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates with the No. 44 overall pick despite undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery in May. Barco was in the midst of a fantastic season as he was 5-2 with a 2.50 ERA. His strikeout to walk ration was extremely impressive at 69:11.

    The Jacksonville, FL native arrived on campus after being a 24th round pick in the 2019 draft out of high school. The signing bonus value for being selected at No. 44 is $1,775200.

    Fabian was drafted No. 67 overall by the Baltimore Orioles. Fabian became just the second Gators baseball player to hit twenty or more homers in back-to-back seasons (Brad Wilkerson). He hit .235 with 24 home runs and 55 RBI. Fabian is also known as a tremendous defender in center field.

    Fabian was also selected in the second round in the 2021 draft but chose not to sign with the Boston Red Sox and return to Gainesville. The singing bonus value for the 67th pick is slotted at $1,026,300.

    Day two of the draft gets underway at 2:00 PM for rounds 3-10.

  • Sterlin Thompson Selected No. 31 Overall in MLB Draft by Colorado

    Sterlin Thompson Selected No. 31 Overall in MLB Draft by Colorado

    Photo by Samuel Lewis | Getty Images

    The Florida Gators continue to be one of the top options for baseball players looking to continue their career into professional baseball. Outfielder Sterlin Thompson became the seventeenth player in program history drafted in the first round of the MLB Draft when Colorado snagged him with the 31st overall pick Sunday.

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    Thompson also became the 213th player in program history selected in the draft. He is the first Gators taken in the first round since Jonathan India, Brady Singer, and Jackson Kowar in 2018.

    Thompson finished 2022 with a .354 average while recording 90 hits, 11 home runs, 51 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.

    The slot value for the 31st pick is $2,429,300.

    The 2022 MLB Draft will continue through Wednesday.

  • Anthony Richardson Will No Longer Use AR-15 Nickname

    Anthony Richardson Will No Longer Use AR-15 Nickname

    Photo by Mike Ehrmann | Getty Images

    Florida Gators starting quarterback Anthony Richardson posted a statement to his Twitter account Sunday stating he would no longer be using the AR-15 nickname and branding. The move is made in response to gun violence incidents nation-wide.

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    The sophomore from Gainesville wore number two after arriving on campus, but changed it to fifteen prior to 2021.

    With the NIL bill taking effect, Richardson offered a weekly game shirt that featured his AR-15 logo which includes a scope reticle.

    Richardson enters the 2022 season as the Gators’ starting quarterback following the transfer of last year’s starter Emory Jones. Richardson will take the spotlight this week as one of Florida’s three attendees at SEC Media Days in Atlanta. He will be joined by OL Richard Gouraige and LB Ventrell Miller.