Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

UF defensive back Keanu Neal leaps to make a one-handed interception during practice Aug. 8, 2015, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Hard-hitting safety Keanu Neal focusing on pass coverage in camp

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 16, 2015

Keanu Neal prides himself on his big hits.

UF defender Claire Falknor waits for the start of the second period during Florida's 2-1 win against Troy in an exhibition match on Aug. 11, 2015, at the soccer practice field at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

UF soccer reloaded, eyes another successful season

By Kyle Brutman | Aug. 16, 2015

The 2015 Florida soccer team is gearing up for another season under Becky Burleigh, who heads into her 21st year at the top of the program.

Brianna Morgan awaits a serve during Florida's 4-0 win against Maryland on Jan. 25 at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF women’s, men’s tennis teams looking to improve in 2015 season

By Madison Belfour | Aug. 16, 2015

After the UF women’s tennis team saw its 2014-2015 season in the semifinals of the NCAA tournament on May 24 in Waco, Texas, the Gators are ready to take the level up a notch.

Dorian Finney-Smith looks to pass the ball during Florida's win against Texas A&M on March 3.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida men’s basketball enters a new era under Michael White

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 16, 2015

Billy Donovan, who coached the Gators men's basketball team for 19 years before departing in April for the NBA, watched his final season at Florida end in mediocrity.

UF wide receiver Ahmad Fulwood catches a pass from quarterback Will Grier (not pictured) during practice Aug. 8, 2015, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Torres Tells It: Ahmad Fulwood running out of chances to break out at wide receiver

By Luis Torres | Aug. 16, 2015

Ahmad Fulwood has all the physical tools and talent in the world.

Adam Lane rushes into the end zone for a touchdown during Florida's 28-20 win against East Carolina on Jan. 3 in the Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Adam Lane granted release from Gators

By GRAHAM HACK | Aug. 9, 2015

Redshirt sophomore running back Adam Lane has been granted his release from Florida, the school announced Sunday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Communication key for Gators as camp gets underway

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 6, 2015

After a Spring camp that was riddled with communication issues, UF coach Jim McElwain brought that matter to the forefront at the team’s first Fall practice Thursday.

UF football coach Jim McElwain speaks during UF's media day on Wednesday at Touchdown Terrace in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Jim McElwain’s vision for the Gators begins to take shape

By Luis Torres | Aug. 5, 2015

Jim McElwain sees himself as the head of a corporation.

Will Grier warms up prior to Florida's game against Vanderbilt on Nov. 8 in Nashville, Tennessee.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Grier impressing coaches, Morrison ahead of schedule

By GRAHAM HACK | Aug. 5, 2015

Coach Jim McElwain won’t give an edge to either quarterback going into Fall camp, but if you read between the lines, Will Grier appears to have emerged as the better passer and will be a leader on offense.

Antonio Morrison attempts a tackle during Florida's 38-20 win against Georgia on Nov. 1, 2014.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Answering five Fall camp questions before the players hit the practice field

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 5, 2015

With the first day of Fall camp at the forefront, there are still a plethora of questions surrounding the team that new head coach Jim McElwain hopes to have answered before the season kicks off on Sept. 5. Well, like you, I’m not a fan of waiting. So with that said, here are my answers to five burning questions that have yet to be answered from this team.

UF's Lauren Haeger pitches during Florida's 5-0 win against Florida State on April 22, 2015, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Who was the Best Female Athlete at UF in 2015?

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 3, 2015

The Alligator Awards continue this week, with the sixth award being for "Best Female Athlete." Editor-in-chief Jordan McPherson and staff writer Ian Cohen join alligatorSports editors Graham Hall, Luis Torres and Graham Hack in a roundtable discussion to debate the five nominees. Debates will go in alphabetical order by the writer’s last name.

Florida football coach Jim McElwain speaks to media members during a press conference on March 10 in the Southeast End Zone meeting room at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Which five freshmen could start for UF immediately?

By GRAHAM HALL | Aug. 3, 2015

With the Florida football team opening Fall camp on Aug. 6, coaches will get their first look at the newest Gators arriving on campus from the 2015 recruiting class. Here’s a list of five freshmen who could start from the beginning for UF.

Mackenzie Dagostino sets the ball during No. 8 seed Florida's 3-1 win against Miami in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Dec. 6, 2014, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Previewing Florida’s 2015 volleyball season

By Patrick Pinak | Aug. 3, 2015

The UF volleyball team set the bar high in 2014, but it can undoubtedly soar higher in 2015.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Errict Rhett, Florida’s career rushing leader, accused of fraud

By GRAHAM HALL | Aug. 3, 2015

Errict Rhett, Florida football’s career rushing leader, has been accused of filing fraudulent liens and conveying a fraudulent deed to avoid foreclosure on his Gainesville home.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has a ball tossed to him during warmups before the NFL football AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts on Jan. 18, 2015 (Photo credit Matt Slocum/Associated Press).

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Tom Brady continues to escalate Deflategate, and it’s ruining his NFL legacy

By GRAHAM HACK | July 29, 2015

Deflategate has been blown out of proportion, and Tom Brady has no one to blame but himself.

Florida's Marquis Dendy leaps on his way to winning the triple jump during the NCAA track and field championships in Eugene, Ore., Friday, June 12, 2015.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Who was the Best Male Athlete at Florida during the 2014-15 season?

By IAN COHEN | July 29, 2015

The Alligator Awards continue this week, with the fifth award being for "Best Male Athlete." Editor-in-chief Jordan McPherson and staff writer Ian Cohen join alligatorSports editors Graham Hall, Luis Torres and Graham Hack in a roundtable discussion to debate the five nominees. Debates will go in alphabetical order by the writer’s last name.

Adam Lane rushes during Florida's 28-20 win in the Birmingham Bowl against East Carolina on Jan. 3 at Legion Field.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Trio of Gators handle legal issues as camp approaches

By GRAHAM HALL | July 28, 2015

With the Gators opening Fall camp on Aug. 6, three current players are facing off-the-field legal issues.

Florida right fielder Preston Tucker collides with the fence as he chases a ball hit for a triple by Kent State's David Lyon in the sixth inning of an NCAA College World Series elimination baseball game in Omaha, Neb., Monday, June 18, 2012.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators in the MLB: Tucker heating up with Astros

By Patrick Pinak | July 28, 2015

David Ross had himself an inning he’ll never forget Sunday.

Luisa Seau, right, the mother of former San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau, wipes her eyes during a ceremony on Sept. 16, 2012, to retire Seau's No. 55 uniform before the Chargers play the Tennessee Titans in an NFL football game in San Diego.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Let Junior Seau’s family speak at Hall of Fame induction

By Luis Torres | July 28, 2015

Junior Seau was one of the best linebackers in the history of the NFL. His ability and his longevity were something that amazed his peers in the sport. He played for 20 seasons, which is an achievement in itself because the average NFL player is out of the league within three years.

Casey Prather prepares to shoot during Florida’s 56-49 win against Tennessee in the 2014 SEC Tournament in the Georgia Dome.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators in the Pros: Former UF players traded, sign contracts overseas

By GRAHAM HALL | July 28, 2015

Since the start of NBA free agency on July 9, several former UF players have been traded or finalized contracts with professional basketball organizations.