Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper catches the ball during the Crimson Tide's 42-21 win against the Gators on Sept. 20 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Column: With the NFL season approaching, here’s five NFL rookies to watch for

By GRAHAM HACK | July 23, 2015

There’s just over a week left in the Summer B semester, and that means we’re mercifully just a few weeks away from the start of the NFL Preseason. With that in mind, here are five NFL rookies you need to look for when you start to question why on earth you’re watching glorified scrimmages in August.

Florida coach Jim McElwain speaks to the media during the NCAA college football Southeastern Conference Media Days, Monday, July 13, 2015, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Gators hoping for explosive offense under McElwain

By Luis Torres | July 21, 2015

Florida’s offense has been anemic the last couple of seasons and it’s one of the reasons UF went in a new direction at head coach.

Redshirt freshman defensive back J.C. Jackson catches the ball during practice on March 16 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

J.C. Jackson formally charged in reported armed robbery

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | July 21, 2015

Former UF football player J.C. Jackson has been formally charged with four first-degree felonies stemming from a reported armed robbery in April.

Scottie Wilbekin drives down the court during Florida’s 79-68 win in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament against UCLA on March 27 inside the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Column: Scottie Wilbekin overcame struggles to sign NBA contract

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | July 21, 2015

Scottie Wilbekin has seen his basketball road go through twists and turns since his UF career came to a bittersweet end.

Tiger Woods tips his cap as he walks on the 18th hole during Friday's second round of the British Open.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Column: Tiger Woods should step away from golf until mentally prepared

By GRAHAM HALL | July 21, 2015

Tiger Woods needs to take some time away from golf and get his mind right if he ever hopes to compete in the sport he once dominated.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Brandon Powell looking to flourish following offseason position change

By Luis Torres | July 16, 2015

When the Florida Gators announced the three players who were going to attend Southeastern Conference Media Days, there were some people confused to as why Brandon Powell was chosen.

Freshman quarterback Treon Harris directs players during the fourth quarter of Florida's 10-9 victory against Tennessee on Oct. 4 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Alligator Awards: Best UF comeback in the 2014-15 season

By IAN COHEN | July 16, 2015

The Alligator Awards continue this week, with the second award being for "Best comeback Moment." 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.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

McElwain brings calm demeanor to SEC Media Days

By GRAHAM HACK | July 13, 2015

HOOVER, Ala. — For a first-time head coach at Southeastern Conference Football Media Days, Florida’s Jim McElwain didn’t look the part.

Florida's Vernon Hargreaves speaks to the media during the NCAA college football Southeastern Conference Media Days, Monday, July 13, 2015, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Vernon Hargreaves III continuing to develop as UF rebuilds

By Luis Torres | July 13, 2015

HOOVER, Ala. — As Vernon Hargreaves III enters his third season at Florida, there isn’t much the All-American defensive back can improve upon.

Florida's Jonathan Bullard speaks to the media during the NCAA college football Southeastern Conference Media Days, Monday, July 13, 2015, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Jonathan Bullard excited for final UF season

By GRAHAM HACK | July 13, 2015

HOOVER, Ala. — Jonathan Bullard was lucky.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey speaks during the Southeastern Conference NCAA college football media days, Monday, July 13, 2015, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

New SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey embracing change at SEC Media Days

By Luis Torres | July 13, 2015

HOOVER, Ala. — Speaking at his first Southeastern Conference Media Days as commissioner of the conference, Greg Sankey had one phrase that he constantly repeated: "The Times They Are a-Changing."

Lauren Haeger pitches during Florida's 14-10 loss to LSU on Mar. 14 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Lauren Haeger named SEC Female Athlete of the Year

By Luis Torres | July 9, 2015

Lauren Haeger continues to pile on the awards.

Florida's JJ Schwarz (22) runs toward first base during the Gators' 15-3 victory against Miami in the NCAA Men's College World Series on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

What Florida Gator had the Best Individual Moment of 2014-15?

By IAN COHEN | July 8, 2015

The Alligator Awards continue this week, with the second award being for "Best Individual Moment." 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 coach Jim McElwain speaks about UF's 2015 recruiting class during a press conference on Feb. 4 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

UF unveils Media Days lineup

By GRAHAM HACK | July 8, 2015

Defensive end Jonathan Bullard, defensive back Vernon Hargreaves and wide receiver Brandon Powell will represent Florida at the Southeastern Conference Football Media Days, the school announced Wednesday.

Vernon Hargreaves III (1) lines up against LSU's Malachi Dupre (15) during Florida's 30-27 loss to LSU on Oct. 11 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators named to preseason award watch lists

By Luis Torres | July 8, 2015

Three Florida Gators have been named to college football preseason award watch lists.

Houston Rockets guard Corey Brewer (33) dunks the ball during the first half Houston's 110-98 win against the Indiana Pacers on Jan 19.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Former Gator Corey Brewer re-signs with Rockets; Lee traded to Celtics

By GRAHAM HALL | July 8, 2015

Former Gator Corey Brewer has re-signed with the Houston Rockets, where he spent the majority of last season.

Austin Dillon (3) goes airborne as he was involved in a multi-car crash on the final lap of the NASCAR Sprint Cup series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Daytona crash highlights recent improvements in NASCAR safety regulations

By GRAHAM HACK | July 6, 2015

NASCAR will never be 100 percent safe.

Florida center Patric Young embraces guard Brad Beal during the team’s Sweet 16 meeting with Marquette in 2012.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

What’s the deal with Beal? Catching up with the former Gator

By GRAHAM HALL | July 6, 2015

Former Florida men’s basketball player Brad Beal, fresh off his third season in the NBA with the Washington Wizards, spoke with alligatorSports about Billy Donovan heading to the NBA, his thoughts on free agency and whether he’s spoken to new Gators men’s basketball coach Mike White.

Washington Wizard's guard Bradley Beal delivers a special presentation about heat safety and hydration to youth athletes on behalf of Gatorade's Beat the Heat program.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Former Gator Bradley Beal partners up with Gatorade for educational program

By Luis Torres | July 3, 2015

Former Florida Gator and current Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal is among the athletes that have partnered up with Gatorade this year in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri.

United States' Abby Wambach (20) celebrates her team's win with goalkeeper Hope Solo following the second half of a FIFA Women's World Cup soccer match on June 16, 2015 in Vancouver, New Brunswick, Canada.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Abby Wambach, former Gator, helping lead USWNT to Final rematch with Japan

By Ryan Summers | July 1, 2015

Former Florida Gator Abby Wambach and the United States Women’s National Team are slated to compete for their third World Cup title Sunday against Japan in a rematch of the 2011 Women’s World Cup finale.