Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Freshman wide receiver Eugene Wilson III dives toward the end zone in the Gators' 39-36 loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida position preview: pass catchers

By Curan Ahern | Aug. 29

A preview of the Florida Gators' pass catchers heading into the 2025 season opener.

Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) looks for an open receiver during the first half at Shields–Watkins Field at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, October 12, 2024.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

DJ Lagway: Jordan Brand’s newest NIL acquisition

By Curan Ahern | Aug. 29

Florida quarterback DJ Lagway signed an NIL deal with Jordan, making him the first collegiate athlete signed to the brand.

Senior defender Josie Curtis dribbles the ball down the field in the Gators' 1-1 draw with the Kentucky Wildcats on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators soccer suffers first home match loss in final minutes against UCF

By Adrian Carmona | Aug. 28

Florida soccer dropped its first matchup at home after a last-minute goal by Central Florida.

The Gators men’s cross country team runs in the Mountain Dew Invitational on Sept. 15, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS CROSS COUNTRY

Florida athletes bloom ahead of cross country season

By Paul Hof-Mahoney | Aug. 27

The summer miles have all been logged, and the time has finally come for distance runners from around the country to return to the grass. From Gainesville to Gans Creek, it’s time for the 2025 NCAA cross country season to get underway.

Dallas Wilson dodges a tackler during the Gators' Orange and Blue game on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. / UAA Communications

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Dallas Wilson named to Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year watch list

By Max Bernstein | Aug. 26

Florida freshman wide receiver Dallas Wilson was named to the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Watch List on Tuesday.

UF gators football spring game on Saturday, April 12th, 2025.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida position preview: offensive line

By Max Bernstein | Aug. 26

A preview of the Florida Gators' offensive line heading into the 2025 season opener.

Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) is seen postgame after defeating the Ole Miss Rebels by a score of 24-17 on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2024.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida position preview: quarterback room

By Curan Ahern | Aug. 26

A preview of the Florida Gators' quarterback room heading into the 2025 season opener.

Florida Gators running back Ja'Kobi Jackson (24) rushes the ball during the second half half at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday, October 05, 2024.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida position preview: running backs

By Max Bernstein | Aug. 26

A preview of the Florida Gators' running back room heading into the 2025 season opener.

Freshman setter Alexis Stucky serves against Virginia Aug. 27, 2022.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators volleyball rebounds, splits matches at the AVCA First Serve Tournament

By Ava DiCecca | Aug. 25

Florida volleyball split its matches in its first weekend of competition under head coach Ryan Theis.

Florida defensive player Avery Upton (6) runs with the ball during a soccer match against the University of North Florida on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators soccer trounces North Florida in shutout match

By Adrian Carmona | Aug. 24

“I’m excited about a shutout,” Gators head coach Samantha Bohon said. “I think that’s something that’s really important to us.”

UF Football Coach Billy Napier looks on as Quarterback DJ Lagway passes the ball during a spring practice session.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida’s true freshmen make major noise as 2025 season nears

By Max Bernstein | Aug. 24

The start of the college football season looms, but the Florida Gators’ grind began in the spring. Months before any results were shown on the field, UF head coach Billy Napier and his staff have been laying the foundation for the program’s future.

Florida Gators setter Alexis Stucky (5) sets the ball during the team’s 3-0 sweep over the Alabama Crimson Tide on Sunday, November 10, 2024.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida wins five-set thriller against Pitt

By Ava DiCecca | Aug. 24

Florida volleyball edged out Pittsburgh in its first ever win under head coach Ryan Theis.

The Florida volleyball team during pre-match introductions Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball falls short against Stanford in season opener

By Isis Snow | Aug. 23

Florida volleyball and first-year head coach Ryan Theis lost in their debut matchup of the 2025 season.

Sophomore defender Madison Young during Florida's match with Arkansas Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Katie Johnston scores twice, Gators prevail in home opener

By Adrian Carmona | Aug. 22

Florida soccer logged its first win at Donald R. Dizney Stadium to kick off the 2025 season.

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier patrols the field during pregame warmups at Darrell K Royal Memorial Stadium on Saturday, November 9, 2024.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

'We’re on a mission': Billy Napier emphasizes championship culture through defense

By Luke Adragna and Max Bernstein | Aug. 21

Florida Gators football coach Billy Napier has made it a goal throughout training camp to become one of the best defenses in the country — something he says has been missing since the beginning of his tenure.

Florida catcher Luke Heyman walks off the field after losing their first College World Series game to Texas A&M on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

New transfers, familiar faces join Florida baseball as season approaches

By Adrian Carmona | Aug. 20

After several of last year’s key players left the team for the 2025 MLB Draft, the Gators had a number of positional holes to fill.

Sophomore libero Emily Canaan dives to set the ball in the Gators' 3-0 win against the LSU Tigers on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball approaches landmark 2025-26 season

By Ava DiCecca | Aug. 19

UF head coach Ryan Theis is set to fill Mary Wise’s shoes and take over Florida’s program, which is ranked No. 16 in the AVCA Division I Women's Volleyball Poll.

Florida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) and Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) after the Gators defeated the Wildcats at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday, October 19, 2024.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Jake Slaughter, Austin Barber among eight Coaches All-SEC choices

By Max Bernstein | Aug. 19

Eight members of the Florida football team were named to the 2025 Coaches Preseason All-SEC Team.

Florida Gators Head Coach Todd Golden celebrates with the team after a win in a basketball game against Oklahoma on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida men’s basketball to participate in Player’s Era Championship in 2026

By Jeffrey Serber | Aug. 19

Todd Golden expressed excitement to join the Player's Era Championship tournament and bolster the Gators' non conference schedule in 2026.

Although the Gators have many rivals, few have left the Swamp alive…

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

UF’s essential enemies: Teams you’re obligated to boo

By Curan Ahern | Aug. 19

You're in The Swamp. This is college football in the SEC, where rivalries are the backbone of collegiate sports culture, and school colors course through loyal fans’ veins like blood.