Sports | Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

(From left to right) Ermon Lane, Quincy Wilson and Chris Lammons, all four-star recruits according to Rivals.com, committed to the Gators on Monday. UF now has 16 commits for its Class of 2014.

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Gators pluck three in-state 2014 commits Monday

By LANDON WATNICK< | Aug. 12, 2013

Florida's Class of 2014 received a major boost on Monday.

Freshman runningback Matt Jones runs the ball towards the Missouri endzone on Nov. 3 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during Florida's 14-7 win.

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Muschamp unsure of when Jones will return

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 12, 2013

Dealing with the continued effects of a serious viral infection suffered prior to the start of fall camp, sophomore running back Matt Jones remains out indefinitely.

Freshman linebacker Antonio Morrison(12) chases down Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) at Kyle Field during Florida's 20-17 victory against Texas A&M on Sept. 8.

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Morrison present at Florida's team meetings Thursday

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 8, 2013

Suspended sophomore linebacker Antonio Morrison could return to practice with the Gators tonight.

Joker Phillips watches the scoreboard during a Kentucky game on Sept. 17, 2011, in Lexington, Ky. Phillips is starting his first season at UF.

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Receivers coach bringing experience, knowledge to offense

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 7, 2013

Since accepting the job as Florida’s wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator on Dec. 3, Joker Phillips has garnered attention for utilizing Photoshop to reach out to high school prospects.

Offensive lineman Jon Halapio blocks during Florida’s 27-20 win against Louisiana on Nov. 10 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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Injuries open big spot on line

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 7, 2013

With probable starters Jon Halapio (partially torn pectoral muscle) and Max Garcia (back) out due to injury, Florida needs someone to fill big holes in the offensive line.

Junior wide receiver Andre Debose returns a kick off against Tennessee at Kyle Field on Sept. 15, 2010. Debose was pushed into a window during a brawl Saturday night.

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Debose suffers ACL tear

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 7, 2013

After failing to live up to his immense potential during his college career, Andre Debose entered the 2013 season hoping to make the most of his final opportunity.

Coach Will Muschamp speaks at UF media day on Thursday. Muschamp has not named a starter to replace former kicker Caleb Sturgis, who was a Lou Groza Award finalist.

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Kickers competing for starting job as fall camp begins

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 5, 2013

For the last two seasons, when the Gators lined up for a field goal, Florida fans could rest assured that three points would soon be on the board.

Junior tight end Jordan Reed dives for a few extra yards during the Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. Florida has five scholarship tight ends who will look to replace Reed this season.

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Tight ends look to replace Reed

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 5, 2013

Colin Thompson was expected to offer another dimension to Florida’s tight end group in 2012 before a foot injury derailed his season before it began.

Quarterback Tyler Murphy gets ready to throw a pass during Florida's annual Orange and Blue Game in 2011. With Jeff Driskel (appendectomy) out, Murphy practiced with the first-team offense during Day 1 of fall camp on Friday.

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Murphy sees first-team reps at quarterback during Day 1 of fall camp

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 2, 2013

After the first day of fall practice, coach Will Muschamp is not ready to make any pronouncements about his 2013 team.

Ronald Powell stands on the field prior to Florida's 14-6 win against LSU on Oct. 6 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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Powell ready to make impact after missing 2012 with ACL tear

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 1, 2013

It has been about 19 months since Ronald Powell has played a down of meaningful football for Florida, but going into fall training camp, the junior is looking to make up for lost time.

Running back Matt Jones runs the ball during UF’s 37-26 win against FSU on Nov. 24. Jones missed the start of UF’s camp due to a viral infection.

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Injuries strike Gators before camp

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 1, 2013

Missing four projected starters on offense before fall camp opens is rare, but that is the situation the Gators faced last week.

Jeff Driskel throws a pass during Florida’s 38-0 win against Kentucky at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Sept. 22. Driskel is expected to begin practicing in two weeks.

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Quarterback undergoes emergency appendectomy

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | July 30, 2013

Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel underwent appendectomy surgery on Tuesday, the team announced.

Quinton Dunbar celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Kentucky at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Sept. 22, 2012. Dunbar was UF’s leading wide receiver in 2012.

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Additions to offense look to bolster upcoming squad

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | July 22, 2013

In 2012, Florida relied on a top-tier defense to carry the team into bowl season. The offense struggled and finished 104th in the country.

Jeff Driskel (6) fires a pass over FSU’s Demonte McAllister (97) during UF’s 37-26 win on Nov. 24. Driskel is expected to be UF’s starting quarterback.

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Driskel ready for second season as starter

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | July 17, 2013

When Jeff Driskel committed to Florida, he probably did not expect to make his first start at wide receiver.

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel talks with reporters during the Southeastern Conference football Media Days in Hoover, Ala., on Wednesday.

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Manziel, A&M headline Day 2 in Hoover

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | July 17, 2013

Eight months after becoming the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy, Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel stole the show on the second day of the Southeastern Conference Media Days in Hoover, Ala.

Coach Will Muschamp disagrees with a call during UF’s 41--11 loss against LSU on Oct. 8, 2011. Muschamp made a controversial comment about Ohio State reporting Florida for rules violation at the Southeastern Conference Media Days on Tuesday.

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Muschamp takes jab at Ohio State at SEC Media Days

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | July 16, 2013

Before he stepped up to the podium as the first speaker at the annual Southeastern Conference Media Days in Hoover, Ala., Florida coach Will Muschamp sparked controversy with something he said.

Aaron Hernandez attempts to avoid a tackle in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, 2010. Hernandez is in jail in relation to six charges, including the murder of Odin Lloyd.

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Hernandez still outside stadium

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | July 10, 2013

Aaron Hernandez is no longer be a member of the New England Patriots or this year’s version of EA Sports’ Madden NFL, but the former Gator still has his name cemented in front of the James W. “Bill” Heavener football complex – for now.

Jeff Driskel throws a pass during Florida’s 38-0 win against Kentucky at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Sept. 22. Driskel signed with the Boston Red Sox last week.

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Quarterback signs professional contract with Red Sox

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | July 8, 2013

Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel signed with the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night.

Quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) carries the ball during Florida’s 27-20 victory against Louisiana on Nov. 10 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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Driskel signs with Boston Red Sox, will remain with Gators

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | July 3, 2013

Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel reportedly signed with the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night.

Former Jaguars offensive tackle Tony Boselli (far left) chats with current players (left to right) Ace Sanders, Sen’Derrick Marks and Josh Evans before an autograph-signing session at the Oaks Mall on Wednesday.

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Former Florida safety promotes Jaguars at Oaks Mall

By LANDON WATNICK< | June 19, 2013

Former Gators safety Josh Evans visited an old home with his new team Wednesday.