The Florida Gators will own the paint next year. Count on it. Todd Golden added Washington State freshman Rueben Chinyelu (6-11, 245) from the portal Thursday, the second big guy to sign with Florida this week. Adding Chinyelu and Sam Alexis (6-9, 240) from Chattanooga, takes the pressure off Micah Handlogten, who doesn’t have to rush his rehab process. Golden will be able to go with a 4-man rotation of big guys until Handlogten is ready to go again. And, if the rehab is slow, there will always be the option to redshirt Handlogten. Once Handlogten returns healthy, however, the Gators will have five bigs who are 6-9 or taller. If Olivier Rioux (7-7, 300, Montreal, Quebec/Bradenton, FL IMG Academy) reclassifies and enrolls at UF this summer, Florida will easily be the tallest team in the nation. As the old basketball saying goes, you can’t teach tall. With Alexis, Chinyu and incoming freshman Isaiah Brown signed, Golden has 10 roster spots filled with three to be filled. From all reports, Golden will be looking to add at least two perimeter players and perhaps someone in the 6-7 to 6-8 range that can play both inside and outside. Big guys: Micah Handlogten (7-1, 230, SO); Alex Condon (6-11, 230, FR); Thomas Haugh (6-9, 215, FR)00 Perimeter: Will Richard (6-4, 206, JR); Walter Clayton Jr. (6-2, 195, JR); Denzel Aberdeen (6-5, 190, SO); Kaijus Kublickas (6-2, 170, FR) Signed: Isaiah Brown (6-5, 190, Orlando, FL) from Orlando Christian Prep; Sam Alexis (6-9, 240, SO) from Chattanooga; Rueben Chinyelu (6-11, 245, FR) from Washington State SEC in the basketball portal Alabama Outgoing: SF Kris Parker (6-8, 195, RFR); SG Rylan Griffen (6-5, 185, SO); SG Davin Cosby (6-5, 205, FR); Sam Walters (6-10, 198, FR) Incoming: PG Houston Mallette (6-5, 180, JR) from Pepperdine; SG Chris Youngblood (6-4, 212, SR) from South Florida Arkansas Outgoing: PG Keon Menifield (6-1, 150, SO); F Denijay Harris (6-7, 200, SR); WG Joseph Pinion (6-6, 195, SO) to Arkansas State; C Baye Fall (6-10, 200, FR); SG Tramon Mark (6-5, 180, JR) to Texas Incoming: C Zvonimir Ivisic (7-2, 234, FR) from Kentucky Auburn Outgoing: CG KD Johnson (6-0, 190, SR); PG Tre Donaldson (6-2, 190, SO); PG Aden Holloway (6-1, 178, FR) INCOMING: PG JP Pegues (6-1, 165, JR) from Furman FLORIDA Outgoing: SG Riley Kugel (6-5, 206, SO) to Kansas; PF Aleks Szymczyk (6-10, 250, RFR) Incoming: Sam Alexis (6-9, 240, SO) from Chattanooga; Rueben Chinyelu (6-11, 245, SO) from Washington State Georgia Outgoing: SF Matthew-Alexander Moncrief (6-7, 220, SR); PG Justin Hill (6-0, 185, SR); C Jalen Deloach (6-9, 215, JR); SG Mari Jordan (6-8, 185, RFR); WF Jabri Abdur-Rahim (6-7, 214, SR) to Providence Incoming: DeShayne Montgomery (6-4, 190, SO) from Mount St. Mary’s Kentucky Outgoing: SG Adou Thiero (6-6, 200, SO); SG Joey Hart (6-5, 203, FR) to Ball State; C Aaron Bradshaw (7-0, 220, FR) to Ohio State; C Zvonimir Ivisic (7-2, 234, FR) to Arkansas;  PG DJ Wagner (6-3, 175, FR) LSU Outgoing: SF Mwani Wilkerson (6-5, 205, SO); SG Carlos Stewart (6-1, 185, JR) to Santa Clara Incoming: PG Cam Carter (6-3, 195, JR) from Kansas State; PG Jordan Sears (5-11, 175, JR) from UT-Martin Mississippi State Outgoing: PG Andrew Taylor (6-3, 190, SR); SG Trey Fort III (6-4, 195, JR); PF Jaquan Scott (6-8, 230, JR); SG Shakeel Moore (6-1, 180, SR); PF Keshawn Murphy (6-10, 245, SO) Incoming: PG Kanye Clary (5-11, 192, SO) from Penn State Missouri Outgoing: SG Curt Lewis (6-5, 215, JR); PF Jesus Carralero (6-8, 210, SR); SG John Tonje (6-5, 222, SR) Incoming: PF Jacob Crews (6-8, 210, JR) from UT-Martin; SG Tony Perkins (6-4, 210, SR) from Iowa Oklahoma Outgoing: CG Otega Oweh (6-5, 210, SO); PF John Hugley (6-9, 240, JR); PG Javian McCollum (6-1, 170, JR) to Georgia Tech; PG Milos Uzan (6-4, 183, SO) to Houston Ole Miss Outgoing: PF Rashaud Marshall (6-9, 220, FR) to Arkansas State; C Malique Ewin (6-10, 240); Jacob Gazzo (6-8, 215, FR); PF Cameron Barnes (6-9, 195, FR) Incoming: PF Mikeal Brown-Jones (6-8, 210, SR) from UNC-Greensboro; C Malik Dia (6-9, 240, SO) from Belmont; Davon Barnes (6-5, 212, JR) from Sam Houston State South Carolina Outgoing: PG Meechie Johnson (6-2, 184, JR) to Ohio State; CG Ebrima Dibba (6-5, 214, SR) Tennessee Outgoing: SG Freddie Dilione (6-5, 185, FR); SG D.J. Jefferson (6-5, 2-7, FR); PF Tobe Awaka (6-8, 250, SO); C Jonas Aidoo (6-11, 230, JR) Incoming: SG Darlinstone Dubar (6-6, 207, SR) from Hofstra Texas Outgoing: SF Alex Anamekwe (6-6, 200, SO); PG Chris Johnson (6-5, 180, FR); PF Dillon Mitchell (6-8, 205, SO); PG Tyrese Hunter (6-0, 170, JR) Incoming: SG Tramon Mark (6-5, 180, JR) from Arkansas; PF Jayson Kent (6-8, 205, SR) from Indiana State; PG Julian Larry (6-3, 185, SR) from Indiana State Vanderbilt Outgoing: PG Paul Lewis (6-2, 170, SO); C Lee Dort (6-10, 245, SO) to California; SG Tyrin Lawrence (6-4, 200, SR); PF Colin Smith (6-8, 220); SG Jason Rivera-Torres (6-6, 180, FR); PF Carter Lang (6-9, 235, FR) Incoming: PF Jaylen Carey (6-8, 245, FR) from James Madison; SF Tyler Nickel (6-7, 200, SO) from Virginia Tech; SG Grant Huffman (6-3, 185, SR) from Davidson UF BASEBALL: Vandy clocks Gators, but Cag homers in 8th straight game There wasn’t much to write home about for the Gators Thursday night in Nashville as 13th-ranked Vanderbilt (28-10, 9-7 SEC) hit four balls out of Hawkins Field to give the Commodores a 10-5 win over Florida (19-18, 7-9 SEC).  Vandy came into the game dead last in the SEC in home runs, but the Commodores lit up Brandon Neely for three homers in five innings and reliever Blake Purnell for another one. The highlight for Florida was the 22nd home run of the season by Jac Caglianone, hit in the top of the seventh with one on. With Ty Evans on first via a hit by pitch, Caglianone hit a 1-1 curve ball off Miller Green opposite field to left, extending his streak to eight straight games with a home run, one away from tying the NCAA record. Caglianone, who also had singles in the first and ninth innings, has hit in 16 consecutive games. During his hitting streak he has gone yard 13 times. Once again, the fifth inning proved fatal for Florida starter Brandon Neely. Neely gave up two runs and four hits in the first four innings, but the bottom fell out in the fifth when the Commodores bunched five hits together including a 2-run homer by Alan Espinal for a 7-2 Vandy lead. The Gators got one run back in the top of the sixth, but Neely gave up a leadoff homer to Troy LaNeve in the bottom half to end his night. Blake Purnell came on to relieve Neely but two outs later gave up a homer to RJ Austin. About the only thing promising about Florida’s pitching was freshman Frank Menendez, who set down all six batters he faced in the seventh and eighth innings. In addition to Caglianone’s home run, Tyler Shelnut hit his 11th homer of the season in the fourth. Colby Shelton had an RBI ground out in the first and Luke Heyman had an RBI single in the sixth. Game two of the series will be on ESPN2 tonight (7 p.m.) with lefty Pierce Coppola Florida’s likely starter. UF MEN’S TENNIS: Gators knock off Vandy, 4-2, at SEC Tournament Down 2-0, the Gators won four consecutive singles matches at the Southeastern Conference Tournament in Baton Rouge Thursday afternoon for a 4-2 win over Vanderbilt that sends UF into the quarter-final round. The Gators (13-10) will face 2nd-seeded Tennessee (21-5) at 3 p.m. today. After dropping the doubles point and No. 1 singles, the Gators roared back with wins at No. 2 by Kim Aidan, No. 3 by Nate Bonetto, No. 4 by Adhithya Ganesan and No. 5 by Tanapatt Nirundorn to advance to the quarter-finals. UF SPORTS FRIDAY The 9th-ranked Florida softball team (36-9, 10-5 SEC) will be home against South Carolina (28-15-1, 5-10 SEC) at 6 p.m. (SEC Network+) … Florida’s 14th-ranked women’s tennis team (15-7) will be facing South Carolina (17-6) in an SEC Tournament quarter-final match beginning at 9 a.m. SEC FOOTBALL: Another busy day in the transfer portal Alabama Outgoing: PK Reed Harradine (6-3, 185, FR); WR Andre Craig (6-0, 180, SO) Incoming: OT Kadyn Proctor (6-7, 360, FR) from Iowa Arkansas Outgoing: TE Francis Sherman (6-3, 237, SR); RB Isaiah Augustave (6-2, 208, RFR); OT Andrew Chamblee (6-6, 304, FR); QB Jacolby Criswell (6-1, 230, JR); EDGE Jashaud Stewart (6-2, 257, SR); P Max Fletcher (6-5, 174, SO) Auburn Outgoing: DL Brenton Williams (6-3, 262, FR); CB J.D. Rhym (6-1, 178, SO); LS Kyle Vaccarella (6-3, 229, SO); WR Ja’Varrius Johnson (5-10, 167, SR) FLORIDA Outgoing: LB Mannie Nunnery (6-2, 227, RSR) Georgia Outgoing: RB Andrew Paul (5-11, 218, FR); OT Chad Lindberg (6-6, 325, JR) to Rice; WR Tyler Williams (6-3, 205, RFR) Kentucky Outgoing: RB LaVell Wright (5-11, 202, JR); WR Darius Cannon (5-9, 175, FR); WR Raymond Cottrell (6-3, 210, RFR) LSU Outgoing: EDGE Jaxon Howard (6-4, 240, FR); WR Khai Prean (6-0, 202, FR); CB Ryan Robinson Jr. (5-11, 180, FR); TE Connor Gilbreath (6-5, 272, SO); DL Bryce Langston (6-3, 300, SO) to Florida Atlantic Incoming: DL Gio Paez (6-3, 310, SR) from Wisconsin Mississippi State Outgoing: S Trent Singleton (6-0, 195, FR); CB Luke Evans (6-2, 180, FR); P Keelan Cummings (6-3, 215, FR); WR Justin Robinson (6-4, 220, JR) Incoming: RB Rashad Amos (6-2, 224, SR) from South Carolina Missouri Outgoing: WR Dannis Jackson (5-11, 171, JR) Incoming: QB Drew Pyne (6-0, 190, SO) from Arizona State Oklahoma Outgoing: QB Jacob Switzer (6-2, 192, SO); Shane Whitter (6-0, 226, JR) Ole Miss Outgoing: DL Joshua Harris (6-4, 325, SR); QB Deljay Bailey (6-1, 200, FR) South Carolina Outgoing: OL Jaxon Hughes (6-6, 297, SR); EDGE Terrell Dawkins (6-4, 251, SR); WR Kelton Henderson (6-0, 165, FR) Tennessee Outgoing: LB Elijah Herring (6-3, 238, SO) Texas Outgoing: LB S’maje Burrell (6-0, 219, FR); EDGE Billy Walton III (6-3, 225, FR); OL Payton Kirkland (6-6, 350, FR); EDGE J’mond Tapp Texas A&M Outgoing: S Sam McCall (6-1, 185, FR); LB Alex Howard (6-2, 230, SR); S Jacoby Matthews (6-2, 215, SO); EDGE Fadil Diggs (6-5, 260, JR) to Syracuse; OL Derrick Graham (6-4, 314, SO) Incoming: EDGE Josh Celiscar (6-4, 265, SR) from UCF Vanderbilt Outgoing: LB Dante Kelly (6-3, 201, FR); S John Howse IV (6-1, 195, JR); TE Josh Palmer (6-4, 192, FR) ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: The Jaden Rashada saga continues. After a season in which he played three games at Arizona State (a win over D1AA Southern Utah, losses to Oklahoma State and Arizona), Rashada is on the move once again. The former Florida signee, who got a release from his national letter-of-intent when an NIL deal went sideways in January of 2023, Rashada has his name in the NCAA transfer portal. We shouldn’t be all that surprised that Rashada is leaving Arizona State. The Sun Devils went 3-9 last season and even with the move to the Big 12, prospects for a winning season in 2024 seem grim. Additionally, Arizona State isn’t exactly flush with NIL spending dollars. Given the fact Rashada walked out on a restructured deal at UF that would have paid him quite well for a deal that was worth next to nothing at Arizona State, we shouldn’t be surprised that Rashada and pops are looking for something that pays well. Early reports from Matt Zenitz of 247Sports indicate that Georgia is the likely landing spot for Rashada. The backups behind Georgia starter Carson Beck are former 4-star Gunner Stockton and 4-star Ryan Puglisi, a true freshman. Georgia just got a commitment earlier in the week from 4-star Ryan Montgomery. Stay tuned on this one. Since it involves Jaden Rashada and pops, there could be several twists and turns before a final landing spot is found.

Todd Golden continued his hot streak in the transfer portal on Thursday morning.

A few thoughts to jump start your Thursday morning: With only 18 regular season games remaining, the Florida baseball team finds itself in the unusual predicament of absolutely zero in the way of wiggle room. At 19-17 overall,  7-8 in Southeastern Conference play, not only are the Gators the longest of long shots to host an NCAA regional, but they’re in danger of not making the 64 team NCAA field for the first time in Kevin O’Sullivan’s 17 years as the UF head coach. That was the sobering message O’Sullivan delivered to the Gators Tuesday night before they demolished Jacksonville, 12-1, in a 7-inning run-rule game. O’Sullivan told the Gators “we are literally at a point in our season where it's pitch to pitch, inning to inning, game to game.” Florida has five SEC series left on the schedule starting tonight when they face 13th-ranked Vanderbilt (27-10, 8-7 SEC) in Nashville (7:30 p.m., ESPNU). Although it’s still early to be thinking magic numbers for making the NCAA field, figure the bare minimum for the Gators is 30 regular season wins and even that might require a win or two at the Southeastern Conference Tournament. As strong as the SEC is this year, a 15-15 record in conference play would go a long way toward punching the UF ticket. The Gators are expected to go with a rotation of Brandon Neely tonight with Pierce Coppola getting the Friday start and Jac Caglianone going Saturday afternoon. Caglianone watch: Caglianone takes three impressive streaks to Vandy. He has a 22-game on-base streak, a 15-game hitting streak and a streak of seven consecutive games with a home run. For the season, Caglianone is hitting an even .400 with 21 homers and 43 RBI. With his 516-foot home run Tuesday night, Caglianone moved into a tie with Andy Phillips (Alabama, 1996-99) and Will Clark (Mississippi State, 1983-85) for sixth place on the all-time SEC career home run mark with 61. Caglianone trails 5th-place Justin Smoak (South Carolina, 2006-08) by one home run and fourth place Rafael Palmeiro by six. In third place is Florida’s all-time home run leader, Matt LaPorta, with 74. UF BASKETBALL: Gators get a commitment; Richard will test draft waters It was a busy day for Todd Golden as the Gators got a commitment from 4-star 2025 combo guard Alex Lloyd (6-4, 165, Fort Lauderdale, FL Westminster Academy). Lloyd is ranked No. 37 nationally by ESPN, No. 46 nationally by 247Sports, No. 51 nationally by On3, and No. 67 by Rivals. Lloyd averaged 19.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game as a junior. Will Richard announced Wednesday that he is going to test the NBA Draft waters while holding open his option to return to Florida for his senior season. Like Walter Clayton Jr., who announced for the NBA Draft a week ago, the main purpose for Richard declaring for the draft is to participate in workouts for scouts to get feedback on what he needs to work on to move up the draft ladder for 2025. Neither Clayton nor Richard are listed among the top 60 prospects for 2024. The NBA only drafts two rounds (60 players). SEC Basketball: Busy day for the portal Alabama Outgoing: SF Kris Parker (6-8, 195, RFR); SG Rylan Griffen (6-5, 185, SO); SG Davin Cosby (6-5, 205, FR); Sam Walters (6-10, 198, FR); C Nick Pringle (6-9, 220, SR) Incoming: PG Houston Mallette (6-5, 180, JR) from Pepperdine; SG Chris Youngblood (6-4, 212, SR) from South Florida Arkansas Outgoing: PG Keon Menifield (6-1, 150, SO); F Denijay Harris (6-7, 200, SR); WG Joseph Pinion (6-6, 195, SO) to Arkansas State; C Baye Fall (6-10, 200, FR); SG Tramon Mark (6-5, 180, JR) to Texas Incoming: C Zvonimir Ivisic (7-2, 234, FR) from Kentucky Auburn Outgoing: CG KD Johnson (6-0, 190, SR); PG Tre Donaldson (6-2, 190, SO); PG Aden Holloway (6-1, 178, FR) INCOMING: PG JP Pegues (6-1, 165, JR) from Furman FLORIDA Outgoing: SG Riley Kugel (6-5, 206, SO) to Kansas; PF Aleks Szymczyk (6-10, 250, RFR) Incoming: Sam Alexis (6-9, 240, SO) from Chattanooga Georgia Outgoing: SF Matthew-Alexander Moncrief (6-7, 220, SR); PG Justin Hill (6-0, 185, SR); C Jalen Deloach (6-9, 215, JR) to Loyola; SG Mari Jordan (6-8, 185, RFR); WF Jabri Abdur-Rahim (6-7, 214, SR) to Providence Kentucky Outgoing: SG Adou Thiero (6-6, 200, SO); SG Joey Hart (6-5, 203, FR); C Aaron Bradshaw (7-0, 220, FR) to Ohio State; C Zvonimir Ivisic (7-2, 234, FR) to Arkansas;  PG DJ Wagner (6-3, 175, FR) LSU Outgoing: SF Mwani Wilkerson (6-5, 205, SO); SG Carlos Stewart (6-1, 185, JR) to Santa Clara Incoming: PG Cam Carter (6-3, 195, JR) from Kansas State; PG Jordan Sears (5-11, 175, JR) from UT-Martin Mississippi State Outgoing: PG Andrew Taylor (6-3, 190, SR); SG Trey Fort III (6-4, 195, JR); PF Jaquan Scott (6-8, 230, JR); SG Shakeel Moore (6-1, 180, SR); PF Keshawn Murphy (6-10, 245, SO) Incoming: PG Kanye Clary (5-11, 192, SO) from Penn State; C Michael Nwoko (6-10, 245, FR) from Miami Missouri Outgoing: SG Curt Lewis (6-5, 215, JR); PF Jesus Carralero (6-8, 210, SR); SG John Tonje (6-5, 222, SR) Incoming: PF Jacob Crews (6-8, 210, JR) from UT-Martin; SG Tony Perkins (6-4, 210, SR) from Iowa; PG Marques Warwick (6-2, 170, SR) from Northern Kentucky Oklahoma Outgoing: CG Otega Oweh (6-5, 210, SO); PF John Hugley (6-9, 240, JR) to Xavier; PG Javian McCollum (6-1, 170, JR) to Georgia Tech; PG Milos Uzan (6-4, 183, SO) to Houston Ole Miss Outgoing: PF Rashaud Marshall (6-9, 220, FR) to Arkansas State; C Malique Ewin (6-10, 240); Jacob Gazzo (6-8, 215, FR); PF Cameron Barnes (6-9, 195, FR) Incoming: PF Mikeal Brown-Jones (6-8, 210, SR) from UNC-Greensboro; C Malik Dia (6-9, 240, SO) from Belmont; SG Dre Davis (6-5, 220, SR) from Seton Hall South Carolina Outgoing: PG Meechie Johnson (6-2, 184, JR) to Ohio State; CG Ebrima Dibba (6-5, 214, SR) Tennessee Outgoing: SG Freddie Dilione (6-5, 185, FR); SG D.J. Jefferson (6-5, 2-7, FR); PF Tobe Awaka (6-8, 250, SO); C Jonas Aidoo (6-11, 230, JR) Incoming: SG Darlinstone Dubar (6-6, 207, SR) from Hofstra Texas Outgoing: SF Alex Anamekwe (6-6, 200, SO); PG Chris Johnson (6-5, 180, FR); PF Dillon Mitchell (6-8, 205, SO); PG Tyrese Hunter (6-0, 170, JR) Incoming: SG Tramon Mark (6-5, 180, JR) from Arkansas; PF Jayson Kent (6-8, 205, SR) from Indiana State; PG Julian Larry (6-3, 185, SR) from Indiana State Vanderbilt Outgoing: PG Paul Lewis (6-2, 170, SO); C Lee Dort (6-10, 245, SO) to California; SG Tyrin Lawrence (6-4, 200, SR); PF Colin Smith (6-8, 220); SG Jason Rivera-Torres (6-6, 180, FR); PF Carter Lang (6-9, 235, FR); SG Isaiah West (6-2, 190, FR); Malik Presley (6-6, 200, FR) Incoming: PF Jaylen Carey (6-8, 245, FR) from James Madison; SF Tyler Nickel (6-7, 200, SO) from Virginia Tech; SG MJ Collins (6-4, 190, SO) from Virginia Tech Alabama Outgoing: PK Reed Harradine (6-3, 185, FR); WR Andre Craig (6-0, 180, SO) Incoming: OT Kadyn Proctor (6-7, 360, FR) from Iowa Arkansas Outgoing: TE Francis Sherman (6-3, 237, SR); RB Isaiah Augustave (6-2, 208, RFR); OT Andrew Chamblee (6-6, 304, FR); QB Jacolby Criswell (6-1, 230, JR); EDGE Jashaud Stewart (6-2, 257, SR) Auburn Outgoing: DL Brenton Williams (6-3, 262, FR); CB J.D. Rhym (6-1, 178, SO); LS Kyle Vaccarella (6-3, 229, SO); WR Ja’Varrius Johnson (5-10, 167, SR) FLORIDA Outgoing: LB Mannie Nunnery (6-2, 227, RSR) Georgia Outgoing: RB Andrew Paul (5-11, 218, FR); OT Chad Lindberg (6-6, 325, JR) to Rice; WR Tyler Williams (6-3, 205, RFR) Kentucky Outgoing: RB LaVell Wright (5-11, 202, JR); WR Darius Cannon (5-9, 175, FR); WR Raymond Cottrell (6-3, 210, RFR) LSU Outgoing: EDGE Jaxon Howard (6-4, 240, FR); WR Khai Prean (6-0, 202, FR); CB Ryan Robinson Jr. (5-11, 180, FR); TE Connor Gilbreath (6-5, 272, SO) Incoming: DL Gio Paez (6-3, 310, SR) from Wisconsin Mississippi State Outgoing: S Trent Singleton (6-0, 195, FR); CB Luke Evans (6-2, 180, FR); P Keelan Cummings (6-3, 215, FR) Incoming: RB Rashad Amos (6-2, 224, SR) from South Carolina Missouri Outgoing: WR Dannis Jackson (5-11, 171, JR) Incoming: QB Drew Pyne (6-0, 190, SO) from Arizona State Oklahoma Outgoing: QB Jacob Switzer (6-2, 192, SO); Shane Whitter (6-0, 226, JR) Ole Miss Outgoing: DL Joshua Harris (6-4, 325, SR); QB Deljay Bailey (6-1, 200, FR) South Carolina Outgoing: OL Jaxon Hughes (6-6, 297, SR); EDGE Terrell Dawkins (6-4, 251, SR) Tennessee Outgoing: LB Elijah Herring (6-3, 238, SO) Texas Outgoing: LB S’maje Burrell (6-0, 219, FR); EDGE Billy Walton III (6-3, 225, FR); OL Payton Kirkland (6-6, 350, FR); EDGE J’mond Tapp Texas A&M Outgoing: S Sam McCall (6-1, 185, FR); LB Alex Howard (6-2, 230, SR); S Jacoby Matthews (6-2, 215, SO); EDGE Fadil Diggs (6-5, 260, JR) to Syracuse; OL Derrick Graham (6-4, 314, SO) Incoming: EDGE Josh Celiscar (6-4, 265, SR) from UCF Vanderbilt Outgoing: LB Dante Kelly (6-3, 201, FR); S John Howse IV (6-1, 195, JR) UF TRACK AND FIELD: Gator men ranked No. 2, women No. 7 USTFCCA men’s top 25: 1. Texas A&M; 2. FLORIDA; 3. Alabama; 4. LSU; 5. Texas Tech; 6. South Florida; 7. Southern California; 8. Mississippi State; 9. Georgia; 10. Virginia Tech; 11. Oklahoma State; 12. Kentucky; 13. Auburn; 14. Texas; 15. California; 16. Arizona State; 17. BYU; 18. New Mexico; 19. South Carolina; 20. Baylor; 21. Montana State; 221. North Carolina; 23. Iowa State; 24. Arkansas; 25. Arizona USTFCCA women’s top 25: 1. LSU; 2. Texas A&M; 3. Arkansas; 4. Illinois; 5. Oregon; 6. South Carolina; 7. FLORIDA; 8. Georgia; 9. Texas Tech; 10. Tennessee; 11. Ole Miss; 12. Nebraska; 13. Texas; 14. Oklahoma State; 15. TCU; 16. Florida State; 17. Clemson; 18. BYU; 19. Washington; 20. Houston; 21. Michigan; 22. UTEP; 23. Southern California; 24. Alabama; 25. Baylor UF SOFTBALL: Gators remain in everybody’s top 10 D1Softball top 25: 1. Texas 35-6; 2. Oklahoma 38-4; 3. Stanford 34-7; 4. Duke 37-4; 5. Tennessee 32-7; 6. Washington 28-7; 7. Oklahoma State 35-8; 8. LSU 33-8; 9. FLORIDA 36-9; 10. Missouri 33-11; 11. Texas A&M 32-9; 12. UCLA 24-9; 13. Arkansas 30-11; 14. Georgia 33-10; 15. Virginia Tech 31-9-1; 16. Florida State 31-10; 17. Mississippi State 29-12; 18. Alabama 30-9; 19. Arizona 28-13-1; 20. Louisiana 29-14; 21. Northwestern 26-8; 22. Clemson 28-13; 23. Boston University 35-4; 24. Kentucky 26-15; 25. Oregon 24-15 USA Today/NFCA top 25: 1. Texas 35-6; 2. Oklahoma 38-4; 3. Duke 37-4; 4. Tennessee 32-7; 5. Stanford 34-7; 6. Oklahoma State 35-8; 7. LSU 33-8; 8. Washington 28-7; 9. Georgia 33-10; 10. FLORIDA 35-9; 11. Texas A&M 32-9; 12. UCLA 24-9; 13. Missouri 33-11; 14. Alabama 30-9; 15. Virginia Tech 31-9-1; 16. Arkansas 30-11; 17. Mississippi State 29-12; 18. Florida State 31-10; 19. Arizona 28-13-1; 20. California 29-12; 21. Clemson 28-14; 22. Oregon 24-15; 23. Boston University 35-4; 24. Kentucky 26-15; 25. Louisiana 29-14 ESPN/USA Softball top 25: 1. Texas 35-6; 2. Oklahoma 38-4; 3. Duke 37-4; 4. Tennessee 32-7; 5. Stanford 34-7; 6. Oklahoma State 35-8; 7. LSU 33-8. Washington 28-7; 9. Georgia 33-10; 10. FLORIDA 36-9; 11. UCLA 24-9; 12. Texas A&M 32-9; 13. Missouri 30-11; 14. Arkansas 30-11; 15. Alabama 30-9; 16. Virginia Tech 31-9-1; 17. Mississippi State 29-12; 18. Florida State 31-10; 19. Louisiana 29-14; 20. (TIE) Clemson 28-13 and Oregon 24-15; 22. Arizona 28-13-1; 23. Kentucky 26-15; 24. California 29-12; 25. Texas State 33-12 ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: Okay, brace yourself. The NCAA, in its infinite wisdom, approved immediate eligibility for multi-transfers in sports. Yes, they’ve been transferring right and left the last month in particular with both the football and basketball portals open, but  this was because of a federal injunction. Rather than go to court, where it’s a certainty the NCAA will lose, the choice was made to approve legislation that allows multiple transfers. This is a stiff upper lip move by the NCAA, which is about to get clobbered on several fronts in the court rooms of America in the weeks and months ahead. The NCAA is trying to give the appearance that it is still in charge while knowing the end is near. That the NCAA is going to go belly up shouldn’t surprise anyone. What should be a concern is that it is going to die and there won’t be an organization already in place ready to take over when last rites are performed.

Going into the offseason, there was uncertainty within the Florida football program regarding the delegation of play-calling duties. Many believed that head coach Billy Napier might pass these responsibilities to Russ Callaway, the team's newly promoted co-offensive coordinator. This speculation gained traction when sources confirmed that Callaway had been calling plays during various spring camp sessions, including the team's initial scrimmages.

A few thoughts to jump start your day. Caglianone HR No. 21 was an absolute moon shot This wasn’t one of those seen one you’ve seen them all home runs. No, the one Jac Caglianone hit with Ty Evans on second in the bottom of the fourth was special even by Caglianone standards. Caglianone’s 21sthome run of the season was an absolute moonshot, hit so high that the pitchers in the Florida bullpen put their backs against the fence so they could watch it clear the 40-foot high scoreboard in right field. Gravity pulled the ball back down to earth 516 feet from home plate, perhaps the longest home run ever hit at Condron Family Ballpark. This was a game that Florida’s young pitchers scattered five hits and allowed only one run in seven innings. Tyler Shelnut, who had five RBI, drilled a pair of home runs and would have had a third one if he had pulled it just a little bit instead of hitting straight away. Seven of the nine starters got at least one hit as the Gators pounded out a 12-1, 7-inning run-rule win over Jacksonville University. It was an impressive midweek win for a Florida (19-17) team that has struggled in midweek games, but all the fans could talk about leaving the stadium was the Caglianone home run. For reasons unknown, someone in the JU dugout was under the mistaken impression that lefty Dy Faulkner could sneak a fast ball by Caglianone. One pitch earlier, Caglianone was so far out in front of a fast ball that he yanked it on a hard line foul onto the berm down the third base line. Maybe the JU brain trust thought Caglianone would be expecting a breaking ball on the second pitch. Bad decision. Caglianone wasn't the least bit fooled. The pitch was a little lower than belt high and far enough over the plate that Caglianone got his arms extended. From the crack of the bat there was no doubt Caglianone had homered in his seventh consecutive game. The only question was would the ball ever come back down to earth. As impressive as the home run was, probably Caglianone’s best piece of hitting was in the bottom of the first inning when he beat the shift by taking an outside pitch from JU lefty Dakota Stone opposite field for a single. A year ago, Caglianone would have probably tried to overpower the ball and pull it to the right side. This season, however, he isn’t afraid to go with the pitch and use the entire field. “He’s going the other way obviously a lot differently than he did last year,” Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “He’s hitting home runs from pole-to-pole. They put the shift on him, he’s gotten numerous hits the other way this year, some on the ground, some in the air, some on a line. He’s handling lefthanded pitching way better. That lefthander comes out of the pen, I never think this boy, this is a tough matchup for Jac. He’s staying on the ball better.” Through Florida’s 36 games, Caglianone has more hits (43), walks (21) and home runs (21) than he does strikeouts. He is hitting an even .400, having hit safely in 15 straight games while getting on base in 22 consecutive. Shelnut, who is in the midst of a career year himself with 10 home runs and 34 RBI, says Caglianone is so locked in this season that it’s rare to see him swing and miss. “Where he was faulty last year was he would chase stuff down a lot, that’s how he got out,” Shelton said. “He has some of the best bat-to-ball skill I’ve ever seen. When he swings he usually hits the ball and I think that’s probably his biggest strength honestly. It doesn’t matter what pitch, doesn’t matter where the location is, when he takes a swing, he’s usually hitting the ball. That’s the biggest reason he doesn’t walk a lot.” Besides the home runs by Caglianone and Shelnut that accounted for seven of Florida’s runs, the Gators got a single, a double and two RBI from Evans; two hits including a run-scoring single from Brody Donay and two gifts, an error on a pickoff that allowed Caglianone to score in the first and a throwing error on a Dale Thomas sacrifice bunt that brought home Cade Kurland. Redshirt freshman Jake Clemente, who missed all of last year recovering from an injury, got the start, gave up two hits and struck out five in two innings to earn his first win as a Gator. Freshman Frank Menendez went 1-2/3 innings, relieved by Blake Purnell. Purnell went an inning and gave up a run before Ryan Slater came on to get four straight outs. Landon Russell, in his first appearance of the season, pitched a scoreless seventh. The pitching was good, not great. O’Sullivan lamented four walks and three hit batters, but compared to some of the recent midweek outings, this was a revelation. It was the second straight win for the Gators, who had lost six straight prior to a Sunday win over South Carolina. Prior to the game, O’Sullivan made it abundantly clear to his team that the margin for error in making the NCAA field of 64 teams is very, very small. “The only message for the game really was, we are literally at a point in our season where it's pitch to pitch, inning to inning, game to game,” O’Sullivan said. “Every game is extremely important. Not that at any other point the games aren't equally as important, but in the big picture now with where we are with our record, that we've got to treat each game the same and I thought we did that tonight." Shelnut said the Gators played with a sense of purpose, sort of a backs against the wall mentality. “We can’t change the games that we lost or won in the past,” Shelnut said. “We are where we are. The only thing we can do is put our head down now, and have a sense of urgency. Every game means something whether it’s JU on a Tuesday or Vandy on a weekend or out at Arkansas or wherever. Every game means something at this point. You can’t take a day off. You can’t take a pitch off.” SEC FOOTBALL: The portal is open for business Alabama Outgoing: PK Reed Harradine (6-3, 185, FR) Incoming: OT Kadyn Proctor (6-7, 360, FR) from Iowa Arkansas Outgoing: TE Francis Sherman (6-3, 237, SR); RB Isaiah Augustave (6-2, 208, RFR); OT Andrew Chamblee (6-6, 304, FR); QB Jacolby Criswell (6-1, 230, JR); EDGE Jashaud Stewart (6-2, 257, SR) Auburn Outgoing: DL Brenton Williams (6-3, 262, FR); CB J.D. Rhym (6-1, 178, SO) FLORIDA Outgoing: LB Mannie Nunnery (6-2, 227, RSR) Georgia Outgoing: RB Andrew Paul (5-11, 218, FR); OT Chad Lindberg (6-6, 325, JR) to Rice; WR Tyler Williams (6-3, 205, RFR) Kentucky Outgoing: RB LaVell Wright (5-11, 202, JR); WR Darius Cannon (5-9, 175, FR); WR Raymond Cottrell (6-3, 210, RFR) LSU Outgoing: EDGE Jaxon Howard (6-4, 240, FR) Incoming: DL Gio Paez (6-3, 310, SR) from Wisconsin Mississippi State Outgoing: S Trent Singleton (6-0, 195, FR); CB Luke Evans (6-2, 180, FR) Incoming: RB Rashad Amos (6-2, 224, SR) from South Carolina Missouri Outgoing: WR Dannis Jackson (5-11, 171, JR) Incoming: QB Drew Pyne (6-0, 190, SO) from Arizona State Oklahoma Outgoing: QB Jacob Switzer (6-2, 192, SO); LB Shane Whitter (6-0, 226, JR) Ole Miss Outgoing: DL Joshua Harris (6-4, 325, SR); QB Deljay Bailey (6-1, 200, FR) South Carolina Outgoing: OL Jaxon Hughes (6-6, 297, SR); EDGE Terrell Dawkins (6-4, 251, SR) Tennessee Outgoing: LB Elijah Herring (6-3, 238, SO) Texas Outgoing: LB S’maje Burrell (6-0, 219, FR); EDGE Billy Walton III (6-3, 225, FR); OL Payton Kirkland (6-6, 350, FR); Texas A&M Outgoing: S Sam McCall (6-1, 185, FR); LB Alex Howard (6-2, 230, SR); S Jacoby Matthews (6-2, 215, SO); EDGE Fadil Diggs (6-5, 260, JR) to Syracuse; OL Derrick Graham (6-4, 314, SO) Incoming: EDGE Josh Celiscar (6-4, 265, SR) from UCF Vanderbilt Outgoing: LB Dante Kelly (6-3, 201, FR) SEC BASKETBALL: The portal is open for business Alabama Outgoing: SF Kris Parker (6-8, 195, RFR); SG Rylan Griffen (6-5, 185, SO); SG Davin Cosby (6-5, 205, FR); Sam Walters (6-10, 198, FR); C Nick Pringle (6-9, 220, SR) Incoming: PG Houston Mallette (6-5, 180, JR) from Pepperdine; SG Chris Youngblood (6-4, 212, SR) from South Florida Arkansas Outgoing: PG Keon Menifield (6-1, 150, SO); F Denijay Harris (6-7, 200, SR); WG Joseph Pinion (6-6, 195, SO) to Arkansas State; C Baye Fall (6-10, 200, FR); SG Tramon Mark (6-5, 180, JR) to Texas Incoming: C Zvonimir Ivisic (7-2, 234, FR) from Kentucky Auburn Outgoing: CG KD Johnson (6-0, 190, SR); PG Tre Donaldson (6-2, 190, SO); PG Aden Holloway (6-1, 178, FR) INCOMING: PG JP Pegues (6-1, 165, JR) from Furman FLORIDA Outgoing: SG Riley Kugel (6-5, 206, SO) to Kansas; PF Aleks Szymczyk (6-10, 250, RFR) Incoming: Sam Alexis (6-9, 240, SO) from Chattanooga Georgia Outgoing: SF Matthew-Alexander Moncrief (6-7, 220, SR); PG Justin Hill (6-0, 185, SR); C Jalen Deloach (6-9, 215, JR) to Loyola; SG Mari Jordan (6-8, 185, RFR); WF Jabri Abdur-Rahim (6-7, 214, SR) to Providence Kentucky Outgoing: SG Adou Thiero (6-6, 200, SO); SG Joey Hart (6-5, 203, FR); C Aaron Bradshaw (7-0, 220, FR) to Ohio State; C Zvonimir Ivisic (7-2, 234, FR) to Arkansas;  PG DJ Wagner (6-3, 175, FR) LSU Outgoing: SF Mwani Wilkerson (6-5, 205, SO); SG Carlos Stewart (6-1, 185, JR) to Santa Clara Incoming: PG Cam Carter (6-3, 195, JR) from Kansas State; PG Jordan Sears (5-11, 175, JR) from UT-Martin Mississippi State Outgoing: PG Andrew Taylor (6-3, 190, SR); SG Trey Fort III (6-4, 195, JR); PF Jaquan Scott (6-8, 230, JR); SG Shakeel Moore (6-1, 180, SR); PF Keshawn Murphy (6-10, 245, SO) Incoming: PG Kanye Clary (5-11, 192, SO) from Penn State Missouri Outgoing: SG Curt Lewis (6-5, 215, JR); PF Jesus Carralero (6-8, 210, SR); SG John Tonje (6-5, 222, SR) Incoming: PF Jacob Crews (6-8, 210, JR) from UT-Martin; SG Tony Perkins (6-4, 210, SR) from Iowa Oklahoma Outgoing: CG Otega Oweh (6-5, 210, SO); PF John Hugley (6-9, 240, JR) to Xavier; PG Javian McCollum (6-1, 170, JR) to Georgia Tech; PG Milos Uzan (6-4, 183, SO) to Houston Ole Miss Outgoing: PF Rashaud Marshall (6-9, 220, FR) to Arkansas State; C Malique Ewin (6-10, 240); Jacob Gazzo (6-8, 215, FR); PF Cameron Barnes (6-9, 195, FR) Incoming: PF Mikeal Brown-Jones (6-8, 210, SR) from UNC-Greensboro; C Malik Dia (6-9, 240, SO) from Belmont South Carolina Outgoing: PG Meechie Johnson (6-2, 184, JR) to Ohio State; CG Ebrima Dibba (6-5, 214, SR) Tennessee Outgoing: SG Freddie Dilione (6-5, 185, FR); SG D.J. Jefferson (6-5, 2-7, FR); PF Tobe Awaka (6-8, 250, SO); C Jonas Aidoo (6-11, 230, JR) Incoming: SG Darlinstone Dubar (6-6, 207, SR) from Hofstra Texas Outgoing: SF Alex Anamekwe (6-6, 200, SO); PG Chris Johnson (6-5, 180, FR); PF Dillon Mitchell (6-8, 205, SO); PG Tyrese Hunter (6-0, 170, JR) Incoming: SG Tramon Mark (6-5, 180, JR) from Arkansas; PF Jayson Kent (6-8, 205, SR) from Indiana State; PG Julian Larry (6-3, 185, SR) from Indiana State Vanderbilt Outgoing: PG Paul Lewis (6-2, 170, SO); C Lee Dort (6-10, 245, SO) to California; SG Tyrin Lawrence (6-4, 200, SR); PF Colin Smith (6-8, 220); SG Jason Rivera-Torres (6-6, 180, FR); PF Carter Lang (6-9, 235, FR); SG Isaiah West (6-2, 190, FR) Incoming: PF Jaylen Carey (6-8, 245, FR) from James Madison; SF Tyler Nickel (6-7, 200, SO) from Virginia Tech; SG MJ Collins (6-4, 190, SO) from Virginia Tech ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: The NCAA, in its infinite wisdom, hit Michigan with three years of probation and show cause for people involved in recruiting violations that took place years ago. The NCAA will still pursue Jim Harbaugh and others for the sign stealing scandal. Doesn’t matter to the NCAA that Harbaugh is in the NFL and odds are the only way he ever returns to college football is when we can stick a fork in the NCAA and declare that corrupt organization done. Just to show you how focused the NCAA has been lately on weeding out the real problems that are overwhelming college sports these days, it was just a couple of months ago that the organization handed out this ruling: No longer can schools decorate the hotel rooms of prospective athletes when they arrive for recruiting visits. And – are you ready for this one – the school can’t leave snacks or a cake in the hotel room. Those goodies have to be given to the recruit in the hotel lobby. Now I’m sure you understand why Florida has been losing 5-star recruits to Georgia. It’s because Georgia was putting snacks, cakes and balloons in recruits’ hotel rooms. Aren’t you glad we got that cleared up? Aren’t you glad the NCAA is doing its part to keep college sports clean?

A few thoughts to jump start your Tuesday morning: Forget the Florida State game that ended Florida’s 2023 football season. Neither the Gators nor the Seminoles were playing with starting quarterbacks so both the offensive and defensive numbers are a bit out of whack. Focus instead on the five previous games in which the Gators were outscored 203-163, an average score of 40.6 by the bad guys, 32.6 by the Gators. The numbers don’t lie. The Aggies were the only team in the SEC that averaged 32 or more points that failed to win at least 10 games, so the offense really wasn’t the problem. Certainly, it could have been better, but the Gators played well enough and scored enough points to have finished 8-4 instead of 5-7. If you saw the Orange and Blue Game, then you’re well aware that Billy Napier has surrounded quarterbacks Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway with serious weapons. Even slight improvement on the offensive line should mean Florida lights up a lot of scoreboards. The problem that has to be solved is on the defensive side of the ball. Three new coaches – Ron Roberts, Gerald Chatman and Will Harris – were brought in to bring about the kind of change that has to happen if the Gators are to avoid a fourth straight losing season. Roberts is the catalyst for improvement. At Auburn last season, he improved the defense by seven points and four first downs per game. Can he do that at UF this year? What we saw Saturday in the Orange and Blue Game is not a real indicator of what coaches have been talking about all spring. The Orange and Blue Game was as vanilla as it gets. In the fall we'll see what happens when the Gators can blitz and throw some exotic coverages at people. Here are a few basic observations: D-Line: The players who made the biggest strides in the spring were nose tackle Cam Jackson and tackle Caleb Banks. Kelby Collins was moved inside after playing on the EDGE last year. Joey Slackman couldn’t move Banks out at tackle, which says more about Banks’ improvement than it does about Slackman. Jamari Lyons will be in the rotation. Will Desmond Watson ever get his weight below 400? It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Gators go after a transfer here. EDGE/Linebackers: Injuries to Shemar James and freshman Myles Graham led to increased snaps for South Carolina transfer Grayson “Pup” Howard and Mannie Nunnery. Howard is going to be a beast. Nunnery has plenty of speed and had an interception in the Orange and Blue game. He’s much improved. Justus Boone is still recovering from injury, but there are a lot of people who can get after a QB starting with TJ Searcy, Northern Illinois transfer George Gumbs, Kamran James, juco transfer Brien Taylor and freshman stud TJ McCray. The tackling was better all spring. Based on what we saw, the starting linebackers to be Howard and James with Gumbs and Searcy the starters of the edge. Secondary: The three corners who got the most praise and who seem at the head of the rotation are Jason Marshall Jr., Devin Moore and Ja’Keem Jackson. Aaron Gates had a good spring to emerge as the starter at STAR. The three transfers at safety – DJ Douglas, Asa Turner and Trikweze Bridges – are real players who understand the concept of keeping receivers in front of them. Shareef Denson and Jordan Casteel are going to play. There is much more experience, especially at safety. The entire unit will be much improved. SEC FOOTBALL: Transfer portal already heating up Arkansas Outgoing: TE Francis Sherman (6-3, 237, SR); RB Isaiah Augustave (6-2, 208, RFR); OT Andrew Chamblee (6-6, 304, FR); QB Jacolby Criswell (6-1, 230, JR) Georgia Outgoing: RB Andrew Paul (5-11, 218, FR) Kentucky Outgoing: RB LaVell Wright (5-11, 202, JR); WR Darius Cannon (5-9, 175, FR) LSU Incoming: DL Gio Paez (6-3, 310, SR) from Wisconsin Outgoing: EDGE Jaxon Howard (6-4, 240, FR) Mississippi State Incoming: RB Rashad Amos (6-2, 224, SR) from South Carolina Missouri Incoming: QB Drew Pyne (6-0, 190, SO) from Arizona State Oklahoma Outgoing: QB Jacob Switzer (6-2, 192, SO) Ole Miss Outgoing: DL Joshua Harris (6-4, 325, SR) South Carolina Outgoing: OL Jaxon Hughes (6-6, 297, SR); EDGE Terrell Dawkins (6-4, 251, SR) Tennessee Outgoing: LB Elijah Herring (6-3, 238, SO) Texas Outgoing: LB S’maje Burrell (6-0, 219, FR); EDGE Billy Walton III (6-3, 225, FR); OL Payton Kirkland (6-6, 350, FR) Texas A&M Incoming: EDGE Josh Celiscar (6-4, 265, SR) from UCF SEC BASKETBALL: Busy Monday in the portal A name for Florida fans to watch closely is Alabama freshman Sam Walters (6-10, 198), who entered the portal on Monday. Walters, who played high school ball at The Villages Charter, is a long lefty with serious 3-point range. He was a 3-point specialist for the Crimson Tide, averaging 5.4 points per game while hitting 39.4 percent of his shots beyond the arc. Mike White and the Gators weren’t involved in his recruitment out of high school and by the time Todd Golden took over at UF, Walters was already committed to Alabama. The Gators are expected to be a major factor in his relocation now that he’s leaving Alabama. Kentucky dominated the portal news Monday as Aaron Bradshaw committed to Ohio State, Zvonimir Ivisic committed to Arkansas and point guard D.J. Wagner put his name in the portal. Wagner is expected to commit to Arkansas.  It was a good day for Ole Miss, which landed Belmont transfer Malik Dia, one of the top big man prospects in the portal. Dia is a sophomore who spent his freshman season at Vanderbilt. Texas got a pair of transfers from NIT runner-up Indiana State, small forward Jayson Kent and point guard Julian Larry. Tennessee got a scoring guard from Hofstra in Darlinstone Dubar, who will be expected to pick up the scoring load left behind by Dalton Knecht. Alabama Outgoing: SF Kris Parker (6-8, 195, RFR); SG Rylan Griffen (6-5, 185, SO); SG Davin Cosby (6-5, 205, FR); Sam Walters (6-10, 198, FR) Incoming: PG Houston Mallette (6-5, 180, JR) from Pepperdine; SG Chris Youngblood (6-4, 212, SR) from South Florida Arkansas Outgoing: PG Keon Menifield (6-1, 150, SO); F Denijay Harris (6-7, 200, SR); WG Joseph Pinion (6-6, 195, SO) to Arkansas State; C Baye Fall (6-10, 200, FR); SG Tramon Mark (6-5, 180, JR) to Texas Incoming: C Zvonimir Ivisic (7-2, 234, FR) from Kentucky Auburn Outgoing: CG KD Johnson (6-0, 190, SR); PG Tre Donaldson (6-2, 190, SO); PG Aden Holloway (6-1, 178, FR) INCOMING: PG JP Pegues (6-1, 165, JR) from Furman FLORIDA Outgoing: SG Riley Kugel (6-5, 206, SO) to Kansas; PF Aleks Szymczyk (6-10, 250, RFR) Incoming: Sam Alexis (6-9, 240, SO) from Chattanooga Georgia Outgoing: SF Matthew-Alexander Moncrief (6-7, 220, SR); PG Justin Hill (6-0, 185, SR); C Jalen Deloach (6-9, 215, JR); SG Mari Jordan (6-8, 185, RFR); WF Jabri Abdur-Rahim (6-7, 214, SR) to Providence Kentucky Outgoing: SG Adou Thiero (6-6, 200, SO); SG Joey Hart (6-5, 203, FR); C Aaron Bradshaw (7-0, 220, FR) to Ohio State; C Zvonimir Ivisic (7-2, 234, FR) to Arkansas;  PG DJ Wagner (6-3, 175, FR) LSU Outgoing: SF Mwani Wilkerson (6-5, 205, SO); SG Carlos Stewart (6-1, 185, JR) to Santa Clara Incoming: PG Cam Carter (6-3, 195, JR) from Kansas State; PG Jordan Sears (5-11, 175, JR) from UT-Martin Mississippi State Outgoing: PG Andrew Taylor (6-3, 190, SR); SG Trey Fort III (6-4, 195, JR); PF Jaquan Scott (6-8, 230, JR); SG Shakeel Moore (6-1, 180, SR); PF Keshawn Murphy (6-10, 245, SO) Incoming: PG Kanye Clary (5-11, 192, SO) from Penn State Missouri Outgoing: SG Curt Lewis (6-5, 215, JR); PF Jesus Carralero (6-8, 210, SR); SG John Tonje (6-5, 222, SR) Incoming: PF Jacob Crews (6-8, 210, JR) from UT-Martin; SG Tony Perkins (6-4, 210, SR) from Iowa Oklahoma Outgoing: CG Otega Oweh (6-5, 210, SO); PF John Hugley (6-9, 240, JR); PG Javian McCollum (6-1, 170, JR) to Georgia Tech; PG Milos Uzan (6-4, 183, SO) to Houston Ole Miss Outgoing: PF Rashaud Marshall (6-9, 220, FR) to Arkansas State; C Malique Ewin (6-10, 240); Jacob Gazzo (6-8, 215, FR); PF Cameron Barnes (6-9, 195, FR) Incoming: PF Mikeal Brown-Jones (6-8, 210, SR) from UNC-Greensboro; C Malik Dia (6-9, 240, SO) from Belmont South Carolina Outgoing: PG Meechie Johnson (6-2, 184, JR) to Ohio State; CG Ebrima Dibba (6-5, 214, SR) Tennessee Outgoing: SG Freddie Dilione (6-5, 185, FR); SG D.J. Jefferson (6-5, 2-7, FR); PF Tobe Awaka (6-8, 250, SO); C Jonas Aidoo (6-11, 230, JR) Incoming: SG Darlinstone Dubar (6-6, 207, SR) from Hofstra Texas Outgoing: SF Alex Anamekwe (6-6, 200, SO); PG Chris Johnson (6-5, 180, FR); PF Dillon Mitchell (6-8, 205, SO); PG Tyrese Hunter (6-0, 170, JR) Incoming: SG Tramon Mark (6-5, 180, JR) from Arkansas; PF Jayson Kent (6-8, 205, SR) from Indiana State; PG Julian Larry (6-3, 185, SR) from Indiana State Vanderbilt Outgoing: PG Paul Lewis (6-2, 170, SO); C Lee Dort (6-10, 245, SO) to California; SG Tyrin Lawrence (6-4, 200, SR); PF Colin Smith (6-8, 220); SG Jason Rivera-Torres (6-6, 180, FR); PF Carter Lang (6-9, 235, FR) Incoming: PF Jaylen Carey (6-8, 245, FR) from James Madison; SF Tyler Nickel (6-7, 200, SO) from Virginia Tech UF MEN’S GOLF: Gators move up three spots in latest poll The Gators, who closed out their regular season with a win in the Calusa Cup, moved up three places to No. 14 in the Bushnell/GolfWeek poll. The Gators are idle until April 24 when they begin play in the SEC Tournament at St. Simon’s Island. Bushnell/GolfWeek top 25: 1. Auburn; 2. North Carolina; 3. Vanderbilt; 4. Arizona State; 5. Ole Miss; 6. Florida State; 7. Tennessee; 8. Washington; 9. Arizona; 10. Alabama; 11. Texas Tech; 12. Arkansas; 13. Oklahoma; 14. FLORIDA; 15. Virginia; 16. Georgia Tech; 17. Illinois; 18. Texas; 19. New Mexico; 20. East Tennessee State; 21. Georgia; 22. Texas A&M; 23. California; 24. Oregon; 25. Duke UF WOMEN’S TENNIS: Gailis, Lopez honored by SEC Rachel Gailis was named SEC Player of the Week and Qavia Lopez SEC Freshman of the Week after the Gators closed out their regular season with a win over South Carolina that stretched their winning streak to 10 games. The Gators will begin play in the SEC Tournament in Athens on Wednesday. UF LACROSSE: Gators remain No. 9 IWLCA top 25: 1. Northwestern 12-2; 2. Syracuse 12-3; 3. Notre Dame 13-2; 4. Michigan 14-1; 5. Loyola 13-1; 6. (TIE) Virginia 12-3 and Boston College 12-3; 8. Maryland 11-4; 9. FLORIDA 13-2; 10. Yale 11-1; 11. Johns Hopkins 10-5; 12. Denver 11-3; 13. Stony Brook 13-2; 14. Penn 9-3; 15. North Carolina 9-5; 16. James Madison 10-4; 17. Princeton 8-4; 18. Stanford 9-3; 19. Penn State 8-6; 20. Navy 11-3; 21. Colorado 10-4; 22. Southern California 10-4; 23. Fairfield 13-1; 24. Harvard 8-3; 25. Duke 10-6 ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: Three gripes today, all three about the University of Florida, two for basketball and one for football. It would be so easy to turn these three negatives into positives. Gripe 1: Why isn’t Neal Walk’s retired UF jersey hanging in the O-Dome? He scored 1,600 points and grabbed 1,181 rebounds in three varsity seasons, which averages out to 20.8 points and 15.3 rebounds per game. He led the nation in rebounding as a junior (19.8) and senior (17.8) and was first team All-SEC. He didn’t make All-America because there was this guy named Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, now known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Neal was the second players taken (behind Alcindor) in the NBA Draft, the highest any Gator has ever been drafted. Gripe 2: Vernon Maxwell scored 2,450 points in his Florida career. He is the real all-time scoring leader at UF, but he’s not the leader in the record books because this silly notion that he alone is responsible for Florida’s basketball probation in the late 1980s. He accepted some money from an agent and got a ticket to a camp paid for by Norm Sloan, all of which is legal now. It’s ridiculous that he’s not in the record books. Gripe 3: The 1984 Florida football team won the SEC championship on the field only to have Vince Dooley and Georgia convince six SEC presidents to vote to vacate the title because UF went on a harsh, 2-year NCAA probation. Trust me folks, what was going on at UF was Romper Room compared to some of the stuff happening. That 1984 team should at least be brought back for a weekend in the fall for their 40th anniversary.

A few thoughts to jump start your Monday morning: Yes, it was the annual dog and pony show that ends spring practice, and yes, the defense was about as vanilla as a half gallon of Blue Bell, but it was quite obvious that Billy Napier has more than enough offensive answers if the line can play with far more consistency than they showed a season ago. Here are a few observations: Quarterback: Graham Mertz is plenty good enough to put points on the board and lead the Gators to a bunch of wins if he has time to throw. He has command of the offense that he didn’t have until midseason a year ago and now he has more weapons. DJ Lagway will get a package of plays that will keep defensive coordinators awake at night. Running back: Montrell Johnson Jr. has nothing to prove. Treyaun Webb is big, fast and very smart, too. They will have to share backfield carries with Jaden Baugh. Napier said he’s 238 pounds. He runs with power but he has very impressive feet and some wiggle. Keep an eye on Ja’Kobi Jackson, who took a redshirt a year ago. It’s a crowded backfield, but he’s got skills. Receivers: Put the ball in Tre Wilson’s hands and good things will happen, particularly since he’s added the downfield element to his game. Chimere Dike has great hands and is faster than he looks. Marcus Burke made a shoetop catch that was sensational and from all accounts, he’s fully with the program now and ready to be a factor. Aidan Mizell has real speed and we didn’t get to see TJ Abrams, Tank Hawkins or Andy Jean. They, too, can fly. Tight ends will be a plus. O-line: The first unit has real possibilities. LT Devon Manuel, LG Knijeah Harris, C Jake Slaughter, RG Damieon George Jr., RT Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson. They have a summer to bond and get into the kind of shape to brutalize whoever is across from them in the fall. Getting Austin Barber and Kam Waites back from injury healthy and ready to go is a must. The second unit has a lot of talent, but it’s very inexperienced. We shouldn’t be surprised if the Gators try to land an interior guy with experience from the portal. UF BASEBALL: Gators hold on for 11-9 win over South Carolina Florida (18-17, 7-8 SEC) built an 11-5 lead through six innings then held on for an 11-9 win over South Carolina (25-11, 8-7) that broke a 6-game losing streak Sunday afternoon at Condron Family Ballpark. The Gators scored five in the second inning when Brody Donay, Ty Evans and Jac Caglianone all left the yard. Donay hit a 2-run homer, his fifth of the season; Evans hit a 2-run homer, his ninth; and Caglianone homered for the fourth straight game, a solo homer to right field that was his 20th of the season. It was 6-5 in the bottom of the sixth when the Gators got RBI singles from Evans and Caglianone, a 2-run double by Colby Shelton and an RBI double by Tyler Shelnut. The Gamecocks rallied for two in the eighth and two more in the ninth before Fisher Jameson got a ground out and a strikeout to close the game. The Gators will be home Tuesday to face Jacksonville in a non-conference game then travel to Nashville for a Thursday-through-Saturday SEC series with Vanderbilt. SEC East standings: 1. Kentucky (29-5, 13-1 SEC); 2. Tennessee (30-6, 10-6 SEC); 3. (TIE) Vanderbilt (26-10, 8-7 SEC) and South Carolina (25-11, 8-7 SEC); 5. (TIE) FLORIDA (18-17, 7-8 SEC) and Georgia (27-9, 7-8 SEC); 7. Missouri (16-21, 5-10 SEC) SEC West standings: 1. Arkansas (30-5, 11-4 SEC); 2. Texas A&M (32-4, 11-4 SEC); 3. Mississippi State (22-14, 7-8 SEC); 4. Alabama (24-12, 6-9 SEC); 5. Ole Miss (20-16, 5-10 SEC); 6. LSU (22-15, 3-12 SEC); 7. Auburn (18-16, 2-12 SEC) UF SOFTBALL: Gators end losing streak at Mizzou The Gators (35-9, 10-5 SEC) salvaged some of their weekend dignity Sunday afternoon by taking out Missouri (33-11, 7-8 SEC) 3-1 as Keagan Rothrock (18-6) pitched a 1-hitter backed up by a 2-run homer by Ava Brown. With the win, the Gators remained in second place in the SEC, two games behind league leader Tennessee. The Gators got all the scoring they needed in the second inning when Reagan Walsh doubled down the left field line and Brown followed with her 10th home run of the season, a blast over the center field fence. The Gators added some insurance in the fourth on consecutive singles by Skylar Wallace, Korbe Otis and Jocelyn Erickson. Missouri scored in the fifth without the benefit of a hit, but Rothrock shut the Tigers down in the sixth and seventh to finish off her third 1-hitter of the season. The Gators are idle at midweek, returning home for an SEC weekend series with South Carolina (28-15-1, 5-10 SEC) starting Friday. SEC softball standings: 1. Tennessee (31-7, 12-3 SEC); 2. FLORIDA (35-9, 10-5 SEC); 3. Texas A&M (31-9, 10-6 SEC); 4. Arkansas (30-11, 9-6 SEC); 5. LSU (33-8, 10-8 SEC); 6. Alabama (30-8, 7-6 SEC); 7. Mississippi State (29-12, 9-9 SEC); 8. Missouri (33-11, 7-8 SEC); 9. (TIE) South Carolina (28-15-1; 5-10 SEC), Auburn (23-13-1, 5-10 SEC) and Kentucky (26-15, 5-10 SEC); 13. Ole Miss (22-19-1, 3-12 SEC) UF MEN’S TENNIS: Gators shut out South Carolina, 4-0 Florida (12-10, 6-6 SEC) finished its regular season in style Sunday at the Ring Tennis complex, taking out South Carolina, 4-0. The Gators won the doubles point and then scored wins by Aidan Kim, Nate Bonetto and Kevin Edengrin to secure the win over the Gamecocks (13-13, 4-8 SEC). Next up for the Gators is the Southeastern Conference Tournament starting Wednesday in Baton Rouge. UF WOMEN’S GOLF: Gators finish 13th at SEC Championships After a 13th place finish at the SEC Championships at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, the Gators will have to wait until April 24 to find out if they are selected to play in an NCAA regional. Florida shot a 3-day total of 877, 40 shots off the pace set by South Carolina and 16 shots beyond what was needed for an 8th-place finish which would have allowed the Gators to participate in the match play portion that will determine the SEC champ. Ines Archer had a 3-day score of 4-over par 214 to finish in a tie for 20th place, best among all the Gators. SEC BASKETBALL: Transfer activity Alabama Outgoing (3): SF Kris Parker (6-8, 195, RFR); SG Rylan Griffen (6-5, 185, SO); SG Davin Cosby (6-5, 205, FR) Incoming (2): PG Houston Mallette (6-5, 180, JR) from Pepperdine; SG Chris Youngblood (6-4, 212, SR) from South Florida Arkansas Outgoing (5): PG Keon Menifield (6-1, 150, SO); F Denijay Harris (6-7, 200, SR); WG Joseph Pinion (6-6, 195, SO) to Arkansas State; C Baye Fall (6-10, 200, FR); SG Tramon Mark (6-5, 180, JR) to Texas Auburn Outgoing (3): CG KD Johnson (6-0, 190, SR); PG Tre Donaldson (6-2, 190, SO); PG Aden Holloway (6-1, 178, FR) INCOMING (1): PG JP Pegues (6-1, 165, JR) from Furman FLORIDA Outgoing (2): SG Riley Kugel (6-5, 206, SO) to Kansas; PF Aleks Szymczyk (6-10, 250, RFR) Incoming (1): Sam Alexis (6-9, 240, SO) from Chattanooga Georgia Outgoing (5): SF Matthew-Alexander Moncrief (6-7, 220, SR); PG Justin Hill (6-0, 185, SR); C Jalen Deloach (6-9, 215, JR); SG Mari Jordan (6-8, 185, RFR); WF Jabri Abdur-Rahim (6-7, 214, SR) Kentucky Outgoing (4): SG Adou Thiero (6-6, 200, SO); SG Joey Hart (6-5, 203, FR); C Aaron Bradshaw (7-0, 220, FR); C Zvonimir Ivisic (7-2, 234, SO) LSU Outgoing (2): SF Mwani Wilkerson (6-5, 205, SO); SG Carlos Stewart (6-1, 185, JR) Incoming (2): PG Cam Carter (6-3, 195, JR) from Kansas State; PG Jordan Sears (5-11, 175, JR) from UT-Martin Mississippi State Outgoing (5): PG Andrew Taylor (6-3, 190, SR); SG Trey Fort III (6-4, 195, JR); PF Jaquan Scott (6-8, 230, JR); SG Shakeel Moore (6-1, 180, SR); PF Keshawn Murphy (6-10, 245, SO) Incoming: PG Kanye Clary (5-11, 192, SO) from Penn State Missouri Outgoing: SG Curt Lewis (6-5, 215, JR); PF Jesus Carralero (6-8, 210, SR) Incoming: PF Jacob Crews (6-8, 210, JR) from UT-Martin Oklahoma Outgoing: CG Otega Oweh (6-5, 210, SO); PF John Hugley (6-9, 240, JR); PG Javian McCollum (6-1, 170, JR) to Georgia Tech; PG Milos Uzan (6-4, 183, SO) to Houston Ole Miss Outgoing: PF Rashaud Marshall (6-9, 220, FR) to Arkansas State; C Malique Ewin (6-10, 240); Jacob Gazzo (6-8, 215, FR); PF Cameron Barnes (6-9, 195, FR) Incoming: PF Mikeal Brown-Jones (6-8, 210, SR) from UNC-Greensboro South Carolina Outgoing: PG Meechie Johnson (6-2, 184, JR) to Ohio State; CG Ebrima Dibba (6-5, 214, SR) Tennessee Outgoing: SG Freddie Dilione (6-5, 185, FR); SG D.J. Jefferson (6-5, 2-7, FR); PF Tobe Awaka (6-8, 250, SO); C Jonas Aidoo (6-11, 230, JR) Texas Outgoing: SF Alex Anamekwe (6-6, 200, SO); PG Chris Johnson (6-5, 180, FR) Incoming: SG Tramon Mark (6-5, 180, JR) from Arkansas; PF Jayson Kent (6-8, 205, SR) from Indiana State; PG Julian Larry (6-3, 185, SR) from Indiana State Vanderbilt Outgoing: PG Paul Lewis (6-2, 170, SO); C Lee Dort (6-10, 245, SO) to California; SG Tyrin Lawrence (6-4, 200, SR); PF Colin Smith (6-8, 220); SG Jason Rivera-Torres (6-6, 180, FR); PF Carter Lang (6-9, 235, FR) Incoming: PF Jaylen Carey (6-8, 245, FR) from James Madison; SF Tyler Nickel (6-7, 200, SO) from Virginia Tech SEC FOOTBALL: Getting an early jump on the portal The football transfer portal doesn’t open up officially until Tuesday, but already there is a flurry of activity involving SEC teams. Arkansas: TE Francis Sherman (6-3, 237, SR); RB Isaiah Augustave (6-2, 208, RFR) Kentucky: RB LaVell Wright (5-11, 202, JR) LSU: EDGE Jaxon Howard (6-4, 240, FR) Mississippi State: RB Rashad Amos (6-2, 224, SR) from South Carolina; Ole Miss: DL Joshua Harris (6-4, 325, SR) South Carolina: OL Jaxon Hughes (6-6, 297, SR) Texas: LB S’maje Burrell (6-0, 219, FR) Texas A&M: EDGE Josh Celiscar (6-4, 265, SR) from UCF ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: If you thought all hell had broken loose when the transfer portal opened up for basketball then just wait until Tuesday. The football portal will be open for 15 days and it promises to be even more chaotic than it was back in December because now there are no restrictions whatsoever on players transferring. Do you want to know what’s weirder than players who will be at their third or even fourth school? It’s players who transferred to a new school in December, who decide the new school sucks like the old one, so they transfer again. Two transfers in a single offseason and then signing with a new school, suiting up and playing in the fall. Break it down this way. Billy Bob plays left guard for School A which plays in the Minnie Pearl’s Biscuits Bowl. Bowl game over, Billy Bob transfers to School B where he gets $50,000 up front NIL money. At School B, Billy Bob’s new O-line coach is a certifiable meanie. Billy Bob’s feelings are hurt. He goes in the portal and because there are no NIL contracts with School B, he takes the money and runs. School C needs a left guard. Their O-line coach tells his NIL people give Billy Bob a deal and make sure he gets some up front whipout to cover the inconvenience of leaving School B. Billy Bob makes all-conference in the fall but because he has a year of eligibility remaining, enters the portal again in December after playing in the Hank Kimble County Agents of America Bowl. Absurd? Perhaps, but something like this could happen. The portal with no rules is so bad that Lane Kiffin, who has benefitted from the portal as much or more than anyone, said Saturday, "It's a really, really poor system. Here we go again – guys already announcing. They just got somewhere in January and they're leaving again already so they just got paid, you know, took up spots. And it's not their fault. It's not the players' fault at all. It's the system that's created that they're utilizing. In the NFL if you put two free agent windows a year and you could opt in every year, twice a year, guys would do it.”