Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

Quarterback Luke Del Rio (left) hugs his parents -- dad Jack Del Rio and mom Linda Del Rio -- during Gator Walk prior to the Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

After three years of waiting, Del Rio earns starting gig

By Ethan Bauer | Aug. 21, 2016

Luke Del Rio was destined to start at quarterback for Jim McElwain.

Florida quarterback Luke Del Rio throws a pass during a Spring practice on March 16, 2016, at the Sanders Practice Fields.

Sports

Gators name Del Rio starting quarterback

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 18, 2016

After two weeks of preseason camp, Florida has named its starting quarterback.

Sports

Column: To future Florida parents: Hope and pray your children are never assaulted by a football player

By Ethan Bauer | Aug. 17, 2016

It’s 3 a.m. and your phone rings. Struggling to shake the crust from your eyes, you wonder who it could be. And then it smacks you like cold water to the face.

UF cornerback Jalen Tabor participates in Spring practice on March 11, 2016, at the Sanders Practice Facility.

Sports

Tabor, Lewis suspended for season opener

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 17, 2016

Florida cornerback Jalen Tabor and tight end C’yontai Lewis have been suspended from the team and will miss UF's season opener on Sept. 3, Florida announced on Wednesday.

Luke Del Rio fields questions during Florida's Media Day on August 3. The spotlight is on Del Rio, the son of Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio, to win the starting quarterback job at Florida.

Sports

Uncertainty under center: Del Rio, Appleby fighting for starting job

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 16, 2016

The biggest difference was the weather.

UF wide receiver Antonio Callaway breaks free for a 66-yard touchdown during Florida's 27-3 win against Georgia on Oct. 31, 2015, at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

Sports

McElwain addresses Callaway’s marijuana use

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 15, 2016

In the last nine months, Antonio Callaway has been suspended from his university, isolated from his teammates and accused of sexual assault.

Johnny Townsend, the Gators redshirt junior punter, signs Thierry Pitot's chest after the 2016 Orange & Blue Debut in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Friday night. The 20-year-old tourism and hospitality management sophomore was part of a reported crowd of 46,000.

Sports

Townsend, Pineiro headline UF’s new-look special teams

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 15, 2016

As far as consistency was concerned for the Florida Gators last season, UF coach Jim McElwain needed to look no further than Johnny Townsend.

Florida's offensive line looks to be much improved in 2016. "Coach (Mike) Summers has challenged us to become great, so we’re excited to accept that challenge," center Cameron Dillard said.

Sports

Breaking down UF's offense

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 15, 2016

Two weeks into preseason camp, alligatorSports Editors Ian Cohen and Ethan Bauer take a look at Florida football’s four offensive position groups — quarterbacks, running backs, receivers/tight ends and the offensive line — and provide analysis from the first two weeks of practice. Let’s start with the one you want to hear about the most:

UF defensive lineman CeCe Jefferson returns a fumble during the fourth quarter of Florida's 38-10 win against Ole Miss on Oct. 3, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Gators defensive line looking to replace lost production

By Ethan Bauer | Aug. 3, 2016

Thanks to defensive backs like Joe Haden, Vernon Hargreaves and Keanu Neal, Florida has forged a reputation as “DBU”, or Defensive Backs University.

Quarterback Luke Del Rio (14) hands the ball to running back Mark Thompson (24) during the Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Questions surround UF football before opener

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 3, 2016

Jim McElwain began his second year as coach of the Florida Gators by talking about laundry.

UF wide receiver Antonio Callaway is tackled by FAU punter Dalton Schomp during a punt return in Florida's 20-14 overtime win against Florida Atlantic on Nov. 21, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Status of star receiver still unclear

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 3, 2016

Antonio Callaway will participate in the start of Fall practice on Thursday, but the status of his suspension is still unclear.

Cornerback Jalen Tabor (31) celebrates after successfully defending wide receiver Josh Hammond (10) during the Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Column: Four questions before football team starts Fall camp

By Ethan Bauer | July 27, 2016

With the start of football season rapidly approaching, many questions still surround the Florida football team, picked to finish second in the Southeastern Conference East Division at SEC Media Days. Here are the four most pressing questions ahead of Fall camp.

UF quarterback Treon Harris (3) passes during Florida's 41-7 loss to Michigan in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, 2016, in Orlando.

Sports

Treon Harris to transfer from Florida

By IAN COHEN | July 25, 2016

After two years at Florida, Treon Harris is transferring, the school confirmed Monday.

UF coach Jim McElwain talks with his team following the Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

McElwain looking to replace lost talent in second year

By IAN COHEN | July 11, 2016

Jim McElwain walked onto the podium at Southeastern Conference Media Days, turned to the rows of reporters in front of him and began at the end.

Cornerback Jalen Tabor high fives fans while walking out of the tunnel prior to the Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Award Roundup: Four football players named to watch lists

July 6, 2016

Linebacker Jarrad Davis and defensive backs Marcus Maye and Jalen Tabor were named to the Chuck Bednarik Award preseason watch list, an honor awarded to the best collegiate defensive player of the year, the Maxwell Football Club announced Tuesday.