Wichita (Kan.) Sunrise Christian High School's highly touted center, John Bol, has made the decision to decommit from the University of Florida, according to an announcement made by his agent on Twitter on Friday night. The reasons behind Bol's change-of-heart primarily revolve around the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) aspects of his commitment, leading both parties to mutually agree to part ways. When Bol initially committed, he expressed his excitement about joining Florida. He believed that the program would be an ideal fit for him, with his ultimate goal being to make it to the NBA. Bol felt that the Southeastern Conference (SEC) offered a playing style that would allow him to thrive and ultimately achieve his aspirations. Additionally, he expressed confidence in the team's ability to make a championship run. Prior to his commitment to Florida, Bol had considered several other schools. He had received offers from Connecticut, Michigan, Missouri, Texas, USC, and Wake Forest. Another option on the table was joining Overtime Elite, a professional basketball league catering to players aged 16-20 based in Atlanta, which Bol had also contemplated. Bol specifically mentioned his positive impression of Coach Todd Golden at Florida. Despite his youth, Golden's experience and coaching resonated with Bol. The young center admired Coach Golden's hands-on approach, actively participating in practices rather than coaching from the sidelines. Bol believed that Coach Golden's guidance would significantly contribute to his development. Bol's talents have earned him a prominent position in the recruiting rankings. He currently holds the No. 23 overall spot and is ranked third among centers in his recruiting class. Bol's combination of height and impressive wingspan make him an advanced rim protector, capable of finishing plays around the basket with finesse. Analysts have praised Bol for his active involvement in positive plays, envisioning him as an all-conference-caliber player with NBA potential if he continues to develop and matures physically. Despite his lean build, Bol exhibits remarkable agility and fearlessly embraces physicality on the court. Florida emerged as a significant contender in Bol's recruitment when they offered him a scholarship in October. This initial interest continued to grow after Bol's unofficial visit to the university in late April. While Bol's decision to decommit from Florida may come as a surprise to some, it reflects his careful evaluation of the NIL landscape and his desire to explore all options available to him. As one of the top prospects in his class, Bol's decision will undoubtedly attract attention from other programs eager to secure his services. Only time will tell where his basketball journey will lead him next. As said many times before, NIL is a beast that has exploded on the scene, although it is here to stay. While this is one of the first instances of an agent announcing a decommitment, it won't be the last. Bol will be missed in this class, nonetheless and Golden must work to replace him.

Junne 28, 2023 A few thoughts to jump start your Wednesday morning: Pro Football Focus, which is all about the analytics, ranks Florida No. 20 in its preseason football poll, quite a contrast from Lindy’s (32) and Athlon (49). A lot of people will find the PFF rankings quite generous, but a study of how Billy Napier improved Louisiana from year one (2018) to year two (2019) would lead us to believe dramatic improvement for the Gators might not be such a far fetched notion. Louisiana went from a 7-7 team that won games it shouldn’t have and lost games it should have won to a 10-3 team in 2019. Florida went 6-7 in Napier’s first year on the job. With a break or two, the Gators could have won 10 games. By the same token, a break or two the other way and Florida could have been 3-9. The similarities between the first year at Louisiana and Florida are quite remarkable. Take a look at a few key statistics to see how the Ragin Cajuns improved in Napiers second year on the job. Rushing offense 2018: The Ragin Cajuns averaged 218.71 yards per game (22nd nationally), 5.54 per carry (14th nationally). Trey Ragas gained 1,181 yards (8 TDs), Elijah Mitchell 977 (13) and Raymond Calais 754 (7 and 9.31 per carry). Rushing defense 2018: Louisiana gave up 219.07 yards per game on the ground (112th nationally), 4.96 per carry (104th nationally). Passing offense 2018: Louisiana averaged 205.6 yards per game (93rd nationally) and 8.3 per attempt, with 27 TDPs, 14 picks. Andre Nunez threw for 2,272 yards, 20 TDPs, 12 picks. Passing defense 2018: Opponents averaged 216.8 yards per game (55th nationally) and 8.7 per attempt for 22 TDs and only eight picks. Third down conversions 2018: Louisiana converted 46.96 percent on third downs, which ranked 14thnationally. Third down defense 2018: Opponents converted 45.21 percent of their third downs, which ranked 113thnationally. The year two bump Rushing offense 2019: The Ragin Cajuns averaged 257.43 yards per game, 6.28 per carry, an average increase of 38.72 yards per game. Mitchell ran for 1,147 yards (16 TDs), Calais 886 (6), Ragas 820 (11) and newcomer Chris Smith 334 (4 TDs and 10.44 per carry). Rushing defense 2019: The Cajuns allowed 174.07 yards (82nd nationally) and 4.47 per carry (83rdnationally), a decrease of 83.36 yards per game. Passing offense 2019: Louisiana averaged 236.7 yards per game (62nd nationally) and 8.0 per attempt, good for 27 TDPs and only four picks. The same number of touchdown passes as 2018 with 10 fewer picks. Passing defense 2019: Opponents threw for 197.7 yards per game (21st nationally) and 6.8 per attempt, with only 11 TDPs and 10 picks. Third down conversions 2019: The Cajuns converted 47.62 percent of their third downs, which ranked 11thnationally. Third down defense 2019: Opponents converted only 36.17 percent on third down, a decrease of 9.04 percent, 39th nationally, an improvement of 74 places in the rankings. Billy Donovan used to say another year older doesn’t make you another year better. He was talking basketball, of course, but the same concept applies to football. Just because the Gators return a lot of very good football players from 2022 doesn’t mean they will be better, but look at what the Gators did in 2022. Modest improvement suggests the Gators will be a better team in 2023. What happens if the improvement is more than simply modest? Florida by the numbers in 2022 Rushing offense: The Gators averaged 200.23 rushing yards (5.51 per carry). The yards per game ranked 24th nationally while the yards per carry ranked seventh. Montrell Johnson Jr. ran for 841 yards (10 touchdowns, 5.43 per carry), Trevor Etienne ran for 719 (6 touchdowns, 6.09 per carry) and Anthony Richardson ran for 654 (9 touchdowns, 6.35 per carry). Rushing defense: The Gators allowed 175.23 yards per game and 4.49 per carry. Opponents scored 29 touchdowns on the ground. The Gators ranked No. 100 against the run and No. 95 per carry. Passing offense: Florida averaged 223.8 yards per game and 8.0 per attempt for 18 touchdowns with nine interceptions. The Gators were 79th nationally in yards per game, 37th yards per attempt. Richardson threw for 2,549 yards (8.0 per attempt) and 17 touchdowns with nine interceptions. Passing defense: The Gators gave up 235.8 yards per game and 7.7 per attempt while allowing 17 touchdowns and picking off nine passes. The Gators were 83rd against the pass and 99th in yards per attempt. Third down conversions: The Gators were good on third down 40.48 percent of the time, which ranked 50thnationally. Third down defense: The Gators allowed opponents to convert 49.71 percent of the time on third down, which was 129th out of 131 Division I teams. An early look at Florida baseball 2024 as of June 28, 2023 Per NCAA rules, each Division I baseball program has 11.7 scholarships that can be distributed among 27 players. Each team is allowed 35 players on the roster, which means a minimum of eight who receive no scholarship aid. It creates a good bit of anxiety for both coaches and players this time of the year. The portal is open so coaches will be looking for help in critical need positions while kids will have to decide between patience and opportunities to play somewhere else. With the second semester of summer school about to open there is very little time to mull things over. Decisions have to be made in a hurry. In the case of the Florida Gators, two players have exhausted their eligibility, five have already entered the portal and four with eligibility (Wyatt Langford, Brandon Sproat, Hurston Waldrep and Josh Rivera) are sure to be drafted. Infielder Colby Halter is draft-eligible but expected to return, especially if he has a chance to move to shortstop, his natural position. Here is a rundown of the roster: Goners: OF Richie Schiekofer (GR); C BT Riopelle (SR); OF Tucker Talbott (SR); SS. Josh Rivera (JR, Draft); P Brandon Sproat (JR, Draft); P Hurston Waldrep (JR, Draft); OF Wyatt Langford (JR, Draft); P Carsten Finnvold (RSO, Transfer); P Anthony Ursitti (RSO, Transfer); C Rene Lastres (RFR, Transfer); C Salvatore Alvarez (FR, Transfer); P Yoel Tejeda Jr. (FR, Transfer) Returning infielders (4): Colby Halter (JR); Dale Thomas (JR); Deric Fabian (SO); Cade Kurland (FR) Returning outfielders (6): Tyler Shelnut (JR); Ty Evans (SO); Matt Prevesk (SO); Michael Robertson (RFR); Erik Blair (FR); Max Brown (FR) Returning catchers (1): Luke Heyman (FR) Returning pitchers (14): Clete Hartzog (JR); Ryan Slater (RSO); Tyler Nesbitt (RSO); Nick Ficarrotta (RSO); Blake Purnell (RSO); Jac Caglianone (SO); Brandon Neely (SO); Phil Abner (SO); Fisher Jameson (SO); Pierce Coppola (RSO); Sam Sloan (RFR); Cade Fisher (FR); Jake Clemente (FR); Chris Arroyo (FR) Incoming freshmen (17): P Liam Peterson; P Steve Echavarria; P Luke McNellie; P Christian Rodriguez; P Reilly Witmer; P Grayson Smith; P Frank Menendez; SS Stone Russell; OF Blake Brookins; P Alex Philpott; P/1B Caden McDonald; IF Sammy Mummau; P Jacob Gomberg; P Hunter Jones; SS John Martinez; P Robert Satin; OF Hayden Yost Transfers (3): INF Colby Shelton (from Alabama); P Kelly Austin (from UCLA); C Tanner Garrison (from Coastal Carolina) Poll-iticks: Final college baseball polls (SEC schools bold face) D1Baseball: 1. LSU 54-17; 2. FLORIDA 54-17; 3. Wake Forest 54-12; 4. Stanford 44-20; 5. TCU 44-24; 6. Virginia 50-15; 7. Tennessee 44-22; 8. Oral Roberts 52-14; 9. Southern Miss 46-20; 10. Alabama 43-21; 11. Indiana State 45-17; 12. Oregon 41-22; 13. South Carolina 42-21; 14. Texas 42-22; 15. Duke 39-24; 16. Arkansas 43-18; 17. Kentucky 40-21; 18. Clemson 44-19; 19. Vanderbilt 42-20; 20. Miami 42-21; 21. Coastal Carolina 42-21; 22. Campbell 46-15; 23. Oregon State 41-20; 24. East Carolina 47-19; 25. Dallas Baptist 47-16 Baseball America: 1. LSU 54-17; 2. FLORIDA 54-17; 3. Wake Forest 54-12; 4. TCU 44-24; 5. Tennessee 44-22; 6. Stanford 44-20; 7. Oral Roberts 52-14; 8. Virginia 50-15; 9. Texas 42-22; 10. Duke 39-24; 11. Indiana State 45-17; 12. Southern Miss 46-20; 13. Oregon 41-22; 14. Vanderbilt 42-20; 15. Clemson 44-19; 16. Arkansas 43-18; 17. South Carolina 42-21; 18. Alabama 43-21; 19. Kentucky 40-21; 20. Coastal Carolina 42-21; 21. Miami 42-21; 22. Campbell 46-15; 23. Oklahoma State 41-20; 24. East Carolina 47-19; 25. Dallas Baptist 47-16 Collegiate Baseball: 1. LSU 54-17; 2. FLORIDA 54-17; 3. Wake Forest 54-12; 4. Texas Christian 44-24; 5. Oral Roberts 52-14; 6. Tennessee 44-22; 7. Virginia 50-15; 8. Stanford 44-20; 9. Indiana State 45-17; 10. Southern Miss 46-20; 11. Texas 42-22; 12. Alabama 43-21; 13. Oregon 41-22; 14. South Carolina 42-21; 15. Duke 39-24; 16. Kentucky 40-21; 17. Clemson 44-19; 18. Arkansas 43-18; 19. Miami 42-21; 20. Vanderbilt 42-20; 21. Coastal Carolina 42-21; 22. Oregon State 41-20; 23. Dallas Baptist 47-16; 24. Iowa 44-16; 25. Campbell 46-15 USA Today/Coaches: 1. LSU 54-17; 2. FLORIDA 54-17; 3. Wake Forest 54-12; 4. Tennessee 44-22; 5. Stanford 44-20; 6. Virginia 50-15; 7. TCU 44-24; 8. Oral Roberts 52-14; 9. Southern Miss 46-20; 10. South Carolina 42-21; 11. Arkansas 43-18; 12. Texas 42-22; 13. Kentucky 40-21; 14. Indiana State 45-17; 15. Vanderbilt 42-20; 16. Duke 39-24; 17. Alabama 43-21; 18. Clemson 44-19; 19. Oregon 41-22; 20. Coastal Carolina 42-21; 21. Miami 42-21; 22. Campbell 46-15; 21. Miami 42-21; 23. East Carolina 47-19; 24. Dallas Baptist 47-16; 25. Oregon State 41-20 ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: The NCAA just doesn’t get it. After losing nearly every major court case – can anyone recall a landmark case they won? – in the last 30 years, one would think the NCAA would conclude that maybe, just maybe it shouldn’t get seriously involved in things that are almost certain to wind up in court. One would think. Well, one would be wrong. In its infinite wisdom, the NCAA, led by none other than Charlie Baker, who once played JV basketball at Harvard, has issued a statement that schools are bound to follow NCAA rules and regulations on NIL and disregard state laws that might run contrary. In a statement released by NCAA executive vice president Stan Wilcox – yes, the same Stan Wilcox who is the single most inept athletic director in Florida State University history – stated: “The Association has been clear and maintains that schools must adhere to NCAA legislation (policy) when it conflicts with permissive state laws. In other words, if a state law permits certain institutional action and NCAA legislation prohibits the same action, institutions must follow NCAA legislation.” The NCAA lost the NIL case in the United States Supreme Court. It was Supremes 9, NCAA Dummies 0. The NCAA had no backup plan in case of the inevitable loss and now we have total chaos, to the point the NCAA is wandering the halls of Congress, hat in hand, begging for federal laws since those marvelous academics who run the organization either forgot or were too cowardly to come up with a few rules to keep NIL in check. The NCAA has no rules and now they’re saying that if they do come up with some, they take precedent over state laws? Can you sense Charlie Baker and the other pencil-necked geeks wasting millions upon millions fighting in court and – as usual – getting creamed. Henry Ford is credited with saying, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten.” The NCAA can’t help itself. It will go to court. It will lose. Big time. It was Albert Einstein who once said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” He wasn’t talking about the National Collegiate Athletic Association when he said it. But he could have been.

June 29, 2023 A few thoughts to jump start your Thursday morning: It’s that time of the year, a month before August camp begins, two months before the college football season cranks up in earnest. So here are some rankings while we wait. Today the top 10 running backs in the SEC and a ranking of the running back rooms at all 14 schools. The top 10 running backs in the SEC 1. Quinshon Judkins (5-11, 210, SO), Ole Miss: If he had been eligible for the NFL Draft, he would have gone in the first round. He ran for 1,565 yards and 16 TDs as a freshman and caught 15 passes out of the backfield. Eight games of more than 100 yards, four more with at least 87. 2. Raheim Sanders (6-2, 227, JR), Arkansas: An absolute workhorse who had 222 carries for 1,443 yards (10 TDs) and caught 28 passes for 271 yards (2 TDs) as a sophomore last year. He might be the toughest back to tackle 1-on-1 in the entire country. 3. Montrell Johnson Jr. (5-11, 218, JR), Florida: Led the Gators with 841 yards (10 TDs) after transferring in from Louisiana, where he ran for 838 yards (12 TDs) as a freshman. Exceptional at breaking a tackle and getting back to a full stride quickly. 4. Ray Davis, Kentucky: You’re a stud when you can run for more than 1,000 yards at Vanderbilt. The blocking should be better at Kentucky, but remember, this is a line that gave up 46 sacks and paved the way for 116.23 yards rushing per game (3.26 per carry). 5. Kendal Milton (6-1, 220, SR), Georgia: He was one of the top two backs in the country coming out of high school but he has only carried the ball 166 times in three years. Expectations are very high that he will have a breakout 2023. Gained 592 yards on 85 carries (8 touchdowns) a year ago. 6. Trevor Etienne (5-9, 217, SO), Florida: A threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball. A year ago he ran for 719 yards and six touchdowns. He will get a lot more than 118 carries in 2023. 7. Jace McClellan, Alabama (5-11, 212, RJR): Gained 655 yards (7 TDs) and caught 14 balls out of the backfield (3 more TDs) backing up Jahmyr Gibbs. He will be the featured back in a ground and pound attack. 8. Jaylen Wright (5-11, 205, JR), Tennessee: He’s a real threat in a spread attack where he only has one man to beat the line of scrimmage. Can he carry a team if they need to grind in the fourth quarter. A year ago he ran for 875 yards and 10 touchdowns 9. Jarquez Hunter (5-10, 202, JR): He can run (675 yards, 7 TDs) and he can catch (17-224, 2 TDs). He may not get a lot of carries because Hugh Freeze prefers to spread the ball around but he’s capable of big plays. 10. Daijun Edwards (5-10, 201), RJR, Georgia: He’s a grinder who can get big yards once he gets to the second level. He ran for 719 yards and seven TDs last year, plus caught 14 passes out of the backfield. Ranking the running back rooms in the SEC 1. Ole Miss: Judkins is an absolute stud and just a sophomore. His backup is Ulysses Bentley IV, who was hurt a lot last year, but in 2020-21 at SMU ran for 1,523 yards and caught 40 passes for 264 yards. He’s a great change of pace back and a real threat coming out of the backfield. 2. Arkansas: How did Dan Mullen not lock up Rocket Sanders when he was in high school at Rockledge? The Hogs back him up with AJ Green, who ran for 412 yards a year ago, and sophomore Rashod Dubinion (293 yards, 5 TDs), a name you will be hearing more of in the future. 3. FLORIDA: Montrell and Etienne are true studs, but the Gators supplemented the running game by adding Cam Carroll, a 228-pound battering ram from Tulane, freshman Treyaun Webb, and juco transfer Ja’Kobi Jackson. Carroll ran for 1,938 yards and 19 touchdowns at Tulane. It is no secret what the Gators plan to do this year: grind opponents with the running game, then throw it over the top when it’s 1-on-1 and the box is loaded up. 4. Georgia: Milton and Edwards are an exceptional 1-2 punch. Sophomore Branson Robinson (330 yards, 3 TDs) is recovering from foot surgery, but he’s going to be a force when he gets healthy. With Stetson Bennett gone and Georgia breaking in a new QB, the Bulldogs will probably rely on the running game more, particularly early in the season. 5. Alabama: For all the widespread panic about the quarterback position following the spring game, the reality is the Crimson Tide will be ground and pound. McClellan can be beastly and everyone has been waiting for redshirt sophomore Roydell Williams Jr. (250 yards, 4 TDs last year) to have a breakout year. These guys may take a back seat to 5-star freshmen Justice Haynes, who scored three spring game touchdowns. 6. LSU: The LSU running game got a tremendous boost when Louisiana native Logan Diggs (822 yards, 4 touchdowns) transferred in from Notre Dame. He will start but with Josh Williams (535 yards, 6 touchdowns) and Noah Cain (413 yards, 4 touchdowns) the Tigers have the kind of rotation that will keep QB Jayden Daniels from running too much). 7. Tennessee: Wright and Jabari Small (745 yards, 12 touchdowns) are a very good 1-2 punch running out of the Vols hurry-up spread. Can they carry the load if the passing game shuts down and the Vols have to grind it out? 8. Missouri: Mizzou has a pair of pluggers in Cody Shrader (744 yards, 9 TDs) and Nathaniel Peat (425 yards, 2 TDs). Not a lot of speed here so the running game really doesn’t scare anyone. 9. Kentucky: Ray Davis can really run, but who’s going to block for him? Last year’s line was a sieve. 10. Auburn: Jarquez Hunter had an outstanding sophomore season, but there isn’t much behind him, Therefore, freshman Jeremiah Cobb better be ready to play from day one. The Hugh Freeze offense gets multiple backs involved so at least one or two newbies has to get ready to go. 11. Mississippi State: The Air Raid has been abandoned by new coach Zach Arnett. Jo’Quavious Marks (582 yards, 5 TDs; 48-288 receiving) is an unknown quantity in a more traditional offense. Dillon Johnson (488 yards, 5 TDs; 48-285 receiving) could be a between the tackles banger. 12. Texas A&M: Devon Archane (1,102 yards) left for the NFL. Freshmen Reuben Owens and Dalton Brooks better be ready from day one. 13. South Carolina: MarShawn Lynch transferred to California and Jaheim Bell transferred to Florida State. JuJu McDowell is a 180-pound scatback and Mario Anderson is a Division II transfer. 14. Vanderbilt: Ray Davis transferred to Kentucky, taking his 1,081 yards with him. There is nobody in the wings with any experience or speed. Gators finish No. 5 in final Director’s Cup after whirlwind last 8 weeks On May 1, the Gators were in 23rd place in the Director’s Cup standings, but that’s before a whirlwind finish of two national titles (men’s golf and men’s outdoor track) plus two runner-up finishes (baseball and women’s outdoor track), propelled UF to a fifth place finish, just 14 points behind fourth place Virginia. Florida is the ONLY athletic program to finish in the top 10 of the Director’s Cup standings for 39 consecutive years. Top 10 finishes for UF in 2022-23: 1. Men’s golf; 1. Men’s outdoor track and field; 2. Baseball; 2. Women’s outdoor track and field; 2. Gymnastics; 3. Men’s indoor track and field. 3. Women’s indoor track and field; 6. Men’s swimming and diving; 9. Women’s swimming; T-9. Lacrosse; T-9. Women’s tennis; T-9. Volleyball Top 20 final standings plus SEC finishers: 1. Stanford; 2. Texas; 3. Ohio State; 4. Virginia; 5. FLORIDA; 6. Tennessee; 7. Georgia; 8. North Carolina; 9. LSU; 10. Southern Cal; 11. Michigan; 12. Alabama; 13. Arkansas; 14. UCLA; 15. Penn State; 16. Duke; 17. Florida State; 18. Kentucky; 19. North Carolina State; 20. Notre Dame; 24. Texas A&M; 33. South Carolina; 36. Auburn; 39. Ole Miss; 50. Missouri; 56. Vanderbilt; 57. Mississippi State SEC sports Alabama: The Crimson Tide landed a highly coveted basketball transfer in North Dakota State big man Grant Nelson, who averaged 18 points and 9.3 rebounds in 2022-23 in the Summit League … New Alabama baseball coach Rob Vaughn is getting a 5-year deal that pays a base of $900,000. Previous head coach Brad Bohannon was paid $475,000 per year. Auburn: Former walk-on offensive lineman Cort Bradley, who played in one game in 2022, has reportedly left the program. Georgia: The 2-time national champion Bulldogs are now the priority target for Michigan this year. Jim Harbaugh has installed a “Beat Georgia” segment to every practice, which is interesting since we were thinking Michigan’s chief focus was, is and will always be Ohio State. Kentucky: Amid all the talk that John Calipari is on the Kentucky hot seat, he’s doing just fine on the recruiting trail, landing a commitment from Nigerian Somto Cyril (6-11, 240, Lagos, Nigeria/Atlanta, GA Overtime Elite). Florida, Ole Miss and Tennessee were also in hot pursuit of Cyril. LSU: Matt Hayes of Saturday Down South seems fixated on LSU’s chances to win the national championship in 2023, believing the Tigers are in better shape to win it all than 2-time champ Georgia and perennial championship contender Alabama. Hayes writes, “This team is loaded, from QB Jayden Daniels to the best tackle combination (Will Campbell, Emery Jones Jr.) on offense. To the best defensive player in college football (LB/EDGE Harold Perkins), the return of the most talented interior defensive lineman (Maason Smith) in the SEC, and the addition of star Oregon State LB Omar Speights.” Mississippi State: Star outfielder Dakota Jordan, who hit .307 with 10 home runs and 43 RBI in 2023, has withdrawn his name from the NCAA transfer portal. Tennessee: Former North Carolina State catcher Cannon Peebles has committed to the Vols. Last season he hit .352 with 12 home runs and 50 RBI. ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: Name the sport and head coaches are almost unanimous in their complaints about the transfer portal. Nearly every one of them agrees that players should have the right to transfer. That’s not the problem. The problem is timing, which is why the Division I Council is proposing new rules that would alter the portal windows. For football, the sport that pays the bills at most D1 schools, the new proposal will shorten the transfer window in December to 15 days (down from 45) and keep the 15-day window in May. This isn’t a perfect solution but it certainly beats the rule that is currently in place. Two 15-day windows are adequate. It is better for coaches and it forces players to make adult decisions instead of shopping around for the highest bidder before the commit to the portal. There still needs to be a rule that requires an athlete (particularly freshmen) to be on campus for fall and spring before being allowed to transfer, with the exception of a coach firing. Academic requirements would also be a good thing. Another rule proposal that is recommended would require schools making the jump from D1AA to D1 to have 90 percent funding for at least 210 scholarships over a 2-year period before they’re allowed to make the move and they have to have 77 full scholarships funded out of the 85 allowed. This is a good idea on the surface but what really needs to happen is to trim about 30 or so schools from Division I and send them back to D1AA. An ideal setup for football in my opinion: Eight 12-team conferences. The conference championship game is the first round of the playoffs, then the eight conference champions play for the national championship.

June came and went, and boy was it busy. The Gators certainly cashed in on what was deemed the "June Bloom" and ended up with 10 new additions to the 2024 recruiting class. However, the eventful June is not the end of what has already been an exciting recruiting period for Billy Napier and the rest of the coaching staff. The program still has its eyes on a handful of prospects who come in ranked towards the top of many of the major recruiting industry rankings. Additionally, several recruits are set to make their decisions in the coming weeks. Here's a look at where the Gators stand after the June Bloom, which top prospects remain, and who could choose to don the Orange & Blue soon. 2024 Class as it Stands The Gators hold one of the top 2024 recruiting classes regardless of where you look. Both On3 and 247Sports rank Florida with the No. 3 class for 2024 while Rivals sits the Gators at No. 13. While ratings vary across the board for each commit, one thing is clear. Florida will have quite a bit of talent hitting the field just over a year from now. Here's a look at who the Gators hold as 2024 commits (Rankings according to the 0n3 Industry Rankings): DJ Lagway, Four-Star QB Xavier Filsaime, Four-Star S Myles Graham, Four-Star LB Adarius Hayes, Four-Star LB Jamonta Walker, Four-Star LB Aaron Chiles, Four-Star LB Amir Jackson, Four-Star TE Amaris Williams, Four-Star DL Jerrae Hawkins, Four-Star WR Nasir Johnson, Four-star DL Izaiah Williams, Four-Star WR Kahnen Daniels, Four-Star RB Josiah Davis, Three-Star S Marcus Mascoll, Three-Star OT Michai Boireau, Three-Star DL Noel Portnjagin, Three-Star OT Mike Williams, Three-Star OT Remaining Top Targets The Gators have eyes on a lot of the nation's top targets still up for grabs. Whether or not they will end up in Gainesville remains a questions, but Napier and company have remained as an options for these prospects. Jeremiah Smith, Five-Star WR (Ohio State Commit) At this point, the chances of flipping Smith have diminished. There was a lot of momentum at the beginning of the month, but the nation's No. 1 receiver has stayed form with his commitment to the Buckeyes. It was a valiant push by Napier, who had Smith's attention. If Smith does eventually decide to flip, Smith will lineup alongside speedster Jerrae Hawkins who recently committed to Florida. Davis Stone, Five-Star DL Stone was also in Gainesville for the loaded first official visit weekend in June. He has been on campus several times this calendar year, but the buzz around the Gators landing Stone has been minimal. The IMG Academy product is an Oklahoma native, which has seen the homestate Sooners gain the most traction of late. Stone has turned heads as an interior defensive lineman and would be an absolute force in the pass-rush game if Florida was able to land him. Jordan Ross, Four-Star EDGE Ranked as the No. 3 EDGE in the nation according to On3's industry rankings, Ross is another priority target for Florida. The Gators will have a real shot to land him after he was on campus once in April and again at the beginning of June. Ross is quick off the edge of the line and uses his explosiveness and agility to win one-on-one battles both on the edge and in the interior. Florida came to the recruiting party late, but they are right there in the mix with Georgia and Tennessee. Colin Simmons, 5-Star EDGE The unanimous five-star is regarded as potentially the most talented EDGE in the 2024 class. While Texas and LSU have made much of the noise in Simmons' recruitment, he has made it clear his intentions to take more official visits in the fall. Florida has been mentioned as a school he will likely stop by, which will give the Gators a shot to land him. Simmons is extremely explosive out of the two-point stance and uses that explosiveness to shoot into the backfield at a rate that gives opposing tackles a very hard time. Whichever program lands him will get their hands on a generational backfield disruptor. LJ McCray, Four-Star DL McCray is not expected to make a decision in the near future, but the Gators are definitely in the mix. The four-star has been a priority target for some time now and in that time his stock has risen. McCray visited Gainesville for his official visit at the beginning of June, which was his fifth time on campus in total. While a date has not been set for his commitment, in the time being the Gators and Georgia have been making the most noise in his recruitment. Caleb Odom, 4-Star TE While Odom is listed on the major recruiting sites as a tight end, Florida has made it clear in his recruitment that they view him as a tight end. The 6-foot-4 prospect averaged over 80 yards per contest last year and could be an instant difference maker on offense. He has crisp route running skills as well as sound ball skills. Odom's spacial awareness is also something to note, which has been refined during his time on the basketball court. With a July 15 commitment date set, the Gators just have to hope, as Alabama appears to be the front runner. Jamari Howard, Four-Star CB Howard is another recruit who appears to be far from making a decision. He has long been at the top of secondary coach Corey Raymond's shortlist but has not yet made his way to Gainesville for an official visit. Howard was scheduled to come to Florida in June, but a date mixup saw that visit fall through. The former Michigan State commit has the Spartans, Rutgers, Florida State and Miami all joining Florida in the mix. Zavier Mincey, Four-Star S Like Howard, Mincey has been highlighted by Raymond as a want for the secondary. June has seen Howard in Gainesville twice, one of which was his official visit. The Gators are looked at as a favorite in Mincey's recruitment but Miami and Florida State have also gained some traction. Looking at a timeline, Mincey has been up in the air about when he wants to announce his commitment, debating between before his season starts or doing it sometime in the fall. Jordan Seaton, Four-Star OT Seaton has only taken one official visit and it was to Alabama. However, the Gators have entered the arena as a contestant to land Seaton after still getting him on campus for unofficial visits. The expectation is come the fall, Seaton will begin to take more OVs, including one to Florida. The 6-foot-5 lineman has very active hands and the frame and athleticism to play both guard and tackle. His decision will likely be late in the fall.

New regular recruiting feature by popular podcaster Ali Peek Wilbur. If ever somebody has been a true Orange&Blueblood, it’s Ali. You can’t have a much oranger-and-bluer heritage than somebody who not only graduated from Florida, but married a former Florida player, and whose grandfather, dad and brother played for the Gators. All of a sudden, its Ali Peek Wilbur’s chance to be a star. As host of her popular You Tube podcast A Peek Inside Florida Gator Football with an audience growing by leaps and bounds, she speaks authoritatively about current Gator football program -- especially recruiting. She has a smart football IQ and a strong work ethic. In recent months, Ali has been demonstrating those skills as she graced us on The Buddy Martin show almost regularly, becoming so popular that we’re making her a regular co-host on Wednesdays. She brightens up the show and enlightens us on all things recruiting. We’re so happy to add Ali to our show lineup that we also brought her into the Gator BaitMedia.com family where she is a recruiting columnist, joining recruiting analyst Matt Quartararo. Incidentally, heads up husband Eric (punter ’03-’06) , Granddad Scottie (end –‘48-’52 and track star; deceased) Peek, dad Skipper (cornerback ‘77-’79) and brother Scott, (LB-FB) ‘08-12 -- it's Ali's time to shine. The evidence of her digging and sorting can be found below with the unveiling of her first Ali’s Most Wanted list, the players she’d most like Billy Napier to land. By the way, all you dudes who think you’ve got a time crunch, Ali does all this with two sets of twins, all girls, who are active in youth sports. --BUDDY MARTIN HOT ON THE RECRUITING TRAIL WITH BILLY NAPIER: MY 10 'MOST WANTED By ALI PEEK WILBUR GatorBait Recruiting ColumnIst Billy Napier and the Gators have been hot on the recruiting trail, putting together a Top 5 recruiting class for the 2024 cycle. It’s only June, so a lot can change, but Napier’s recruiting army seems to have the Gators well positioned to sign a top class full of blue chip talent. Florida will probably take somewhere between 7 and 9 more players in this class, so let’s take a look at some the best talent available and some of the players most likely to become Gators. My Most Wanted List: 10.) Teddy Foster is a 3-star cornerback out of Cardinal Moody High School in Sarasota. He is 6-2, 170 pounds. He plays both ways in high school, not only excelling at cornerback where he made 38 tackles, 9 pass break ups and 2 interceptions, but he also caught 17 passes for 242 yards and 3 touchdowns last season. He has taken official visits to Florida, North Carolina, and Oregon State. I expect his stock to continue to rise as his senior season ramps up and I think he will be a Gator before too long. 9.) Colin Simmons is a 5-star edge rushery out of Duncanville, Texas. He is 6-2, 225 pounds. Florida is a LONG SHOT here, but this is a situation where Florida can afford to put the full court press on Simmons until the end and see what happens. Texas is considered the favorite here but LSU, Alabama and Georgia are also in the mix as well. Simmons is described by his coaches are relentless and quick off the ball. He set a sack record for the state of Texas during the 2022 season with 22.5 sacks and was MVP of his state championship game. He regularly takes over games with his athleticism. It would take a miracle to land him, but Colin Simmons is someone you can build a defense around. 8) Jordan Ross is a 6-4, 230-pound edge rusher out of Birmingham, Ala. He is a 5-star player. His recruitment is thought to be a battle between Tennessee and Florida, but Georgia, Texas and Alabama are also in the mix. He has shown incredible athleticism in camps this summer. Scouts have commented on his quickness, footwork and his closing speed. He is a multi-sport athlete who also plays high school basketball. Ross has had I all state, all region, all metro and even All-American honors for his 2022 season performance. He runs a 4.6 40 time, which is smoking fast for his size. He would be a huge (figuratively and literally) addition to the 2024 signing class. 7.) Zay Mincey is 6-3, 180-pound 4-star safety out of Mainland High School in Daytona Beach. On3 has him at the eighth best safety in the country and 24/7 Sports has him listed as the fourth best safety. He is the 64th best player overall. He would have to jump into the top 32 to get that 5th star, but it’s not an insane leap and definitely possible. I feel strongly that UF needs to keep local players home and UF is certainly the closest Big 3 school to Daytona Beach. Mincey is another multi-sport athlete; he plays basketball and also runs track. I think he is a very good athlete that Florida is trending well for. He could end up in this class sooner rather than later. 6.) LJ McCray is a 4-star defensive lineman from Mainland High School in Daytona Beach. He is a teammate of the person above on this list, Zay Mincey. He is a 6-6, 265-pound bruiser. He is the No. 136 overall player and No. 14 defensive lineman in the 247Sports Composite ranking. The Daytona Beach native is also the No. 22 player from Florida. He is ranked as the No. 87 overall prospect in the 2024 class according to 247Sports.com. Georgia, Miami, FSU, Auburn and others are all recruiting him very hard. He is scheduled to visit FSU on Oct 7 for an official visit when the ‘Noles play Virginia Tech. Florida was trending well for McCray a couple of weeks ago, but it seems he is not quite ready to pull the trigger. This is another one of those home turf battles that UF needs to win. Experts say he is a big, fast athlete that can easily break into the backfield. He has a 79-inch wingspan, which is massive. He is explosive and can overwhelm blockers with his size and get off speed. He is also a multi-sport athlete. He plays basketball for Mainland and is dominate on the court. Dad has coached at Bethune Cookman for the last decade. Coaches kids usually have a high football IQ. 5.) Chance Robinson is a 6-1, 180-pound wide receiver who is currently committed to the Miami Hurricanes. He is a 4-star player at the storied St. Thomas Aquinas. His junior season he had 540 yards receiving and 13 touchdowns on 29 catches (quick math- that means he scored every 2.2 catches). He is 111th player in country according to On3 industry. He recently took official visits to UF and Penn State along with a trip to Miami. Recruiting experts say he understands the importance of run blocking, has quick feet and has strong hands. His thicker frame allows him win battles with DBs. Obviously, Miami has a strong lead, as he is committed to the U. But, it’s a long way until signing day and it would be killing two birds with one stone to flip his commitment away from Miami and bring his talents to Gainesville. 4. Ethan Calloway is a 4-star offensive tackle from Mooresville, NC. He visited during the spring and then took an official the weekend of June 2. Then went to Georgia on June 9, Penn State June 16 and LSU June 23. He is 6-7, 300 pounds. We say this all the time, on The Buddy Martin Show, but you can’t teach size. He is very athletic and moves really well for his size. He is from North Carolina — so those schools are involved but thought to be a battle between UF, Georgia and LSU and Penn State. On3 has him listed as the eighth best tackle in the country. Winning starts in the trenches, games in the SEC are won and lost by the lines. UF needs to add a couple offensive linemen to this class and Calloway would be a great addition. 3.) Fletcher Westphal is a 4-star offensive lineman out of Leesburg, VA. The 11th best OT in the country according to the Industry Rankings. Size, size and more size!! Westphal is 6-3. 300 pounds. He is an absolute monster. Recruiting predictions for him are all over the place. There are a lot of schools still in the mix for Westphal’s talents, including both Virginia schools, Maryland, Clemson, Arkansas, Georgia and Auburn. HE HAS HUGE SIZE. He has the body type to be and IQ to be a left tackle. He has length to match his frame. He is a two-way player that takes meaningful snaps at defensive end. Really explosive. MEAN on the field … which you love to see. Quick feet and really strong lower body. Florida needs offensive lineman and Westphal would be a great fit to the culture Napier is trying to build. He will commit on July 10th. Photo of offensive lineman Fletcher Westphal at his visit at the University of Florida. Photo via Fletcher Westphal's Twitter. 2.) Jamari Howard is a 6-2, 175-pound cornerback out of West Hialeah, FL. He is #50 player overall On3 – could rise to 32? This would make him a 5-star. He was committed to Michigan State but decommitted a few weeks ago. MSU is still in the mix but this is largely seen as a battle between FSU and UF. Recruiting experts love his wingspan -- it’s an amazing 80 inches, and he has long strides…he is another one of those multi-sport athletes that we know Napier loves. Howard is part of the track 4x400 squad that won Florida relays as a 10th grader. He is also a talented man on special teams. He recorded 44 tackles, 2 INTs and a forced fumble last season. Photo of defensive back Jamari Howard. Photo via 247Sports. 1.) Jeremiah Smith is a 5-star wide receiver who verbally committed to THE Ohio State University on Dec.14, 2022. He’s considered the 247Composite number 2 overall player this recruiting cycle so far, and the top WR in the nation. Smith stands at 6-3, and weighs 198 pounds. He plays football at Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Opa Locka, FL. He caught 58 passes for 1,073 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2022. While I think Jeremiah Smith ultimately signs with OSU, don’t be shocked if UF makes a hard push for him to flip. He has created a strong bond with DJ Lagway, who I expect to continue to push hard until signing day. I think Smith would need to see some growth this upcoming season and maybe some of our younger wide receivers put up some numbers to be swayed from Ohio State. He feels strongly about being coached and developed by Brian Hartline, so Billy Gonzales is going to have to continue to highlight and sell himself as a good alternative to Hartline. Smith wants to be a first-round draft pick, so UF is going to have to convince him they can do that if they are going to flip him. Photo of #1 wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Photo via 247sports. Billy Napier has a HUGE advantage over so many other programs and that’s the fact that the base of his recruiting class is already set and he’s able to be incredible choosy with how he fills out the rest of this class. Rivals said that the eight commits UF got in 10 days was just a PR stunt but what it really is, is Napier and his staff getting the bulk of the class IN and Locked before the season so they can be extremely picky going forward. It also allows them to take some massive swing at guys like Jeremiah Smith and others. I’m so impressed with what Napier is doing with this class. The kids committing to this class know that last year was a tough year, yet they’re still buying into what Napier and his staff are selling on the trail. If UF hits on these guys -- or at least most of them -- they’re going to be knocking on the door of the top class in the country. Pretty impressive for a coach with a 6-7 record last season. Link to Ali Wilbur's YouTube Channel "A Peek Inside Florida Gators Footbal" 🔗👉https://youtube.com/@uffootball

In the next 24 hours, GatorBaitMedia.com will be announcing expanded recruiting coverage with the addition of a well-known journalist Ali Peek Wilbur, according to President Brenden Martin and partner Buddy Martin. All we can tell you is that you'll be hearing and reading more from the four-time Gator legacy very soon. She will join chief recruiting analyst Matt Quartararo for some of the best Gator info on the planet. Stay tuned! Ali Peek (now Wilbur) is a 3rd generation Gator and then married one as well. She has worked in radio, television, and print for over 20 years covering high school and college sports. She hosted a morning drive time radio show and she was the first woman in the southeastern United States to host her own solo sports talk radio show. From recruiting, to game previews and game breakdowns, to coaching news, and more - Ali will give you the TRUTH and her thoughts as someone who has been around the program from the Spurrier days through the current Billy Napier era. Her grandfather and father both played for UF and her brother Scott, won a National Championship under Urban Meyer in 2008. Her husband Eric Wilbur won it all as UF's starting punter in 2006. Ali resides in Tampa, Florida and has four daughters who are all rocking Orange and Blue on game day!

TRINTY RETURNS AS COACH WITH FORMER TEAMMATE SKAGGS As most of Gator Nation was tuning into the baseball championship game Monday Florida’s duo of Jasmine Moore(Track and Field) and Trinity Thomas (Gymnastics) received their 2023 Honda awards Monday as the top collegiate female athlete in their sport while in Los Angeles. The baseball game was out of hand by the time the presentation show came on and was a welcome ray of sunshine. Florida was the only university to have two women recognized. The overall award winner went to Iowa Basketball’s Caitlin Clark. She became must-see TV during the NCAA tournament last season and was a deserving winner. Florida is number three all time with 28 Honda award recipients. The Gators have had winners in 8 sports, leading all schools. As they interview the winners by season for fall, winter and spring, I was excited to hear Trinity Thomas announced she would be back at the University of Florida, working on her third degree. In addition, Trinity will be a Student/Coach in 2024, joining former teammate Megan Skaggs on the coaching staff. Megan was an Assistant to the Head Coach after graduating the year before. Associate head coach Adrian Burde, associate head coach Owen Field and volunteer coach Jeremy Miranda round out the coaching staff. Trinity will be working on her masters in Entrepreneurship. She graduated with a masters in Health Education and behavior in May after receiving her bachelors in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology and Fitness and Wellness Cum Laude. Earlier in June Thomas was in Washington DC lobbying for NIL reform. Florida was the only university to bring multiple athletes. Trinity was joined by defensive end Jack Pyburn and women's basketball player Zippy Broughton. Trinity Quotes- How have you grown?“ I guess coming off my senior year -- I came off of an insane year to say the least. So coming back from something like that can be kind of hard. Obviously my expectations for myself were already high and I came back and I knew this time was my last year and I honestly just told myself that I just wanted to enjoy it and at first I was very uptight and it was hard to enjoy it because I wanted everything to be so perfect and I just wanted everything to go right and I think I learned to let go and let things just happen and go in there everyday and try my best and that was good enough and so I'm just so proud of myself to have been able to really enjoy my last year and to come out and just have fun.” “Being named the Honda sport award winner for the second time is unbelievable. Honestly, it's one of the biggest goals that I set for myself when I stepped foot on campus. The first time was incredible and the second time was equally amazing and just so exciting. And I couldn't be more honored and blessed to have had the career that I had here at Florida and to be named a second time. “The power of dreams is powerful -- honestly, no pun intended, it all starts with a dream, a thought, so you start there and then you put all the work in, all the effort in after that to make your dreams come true. So the power of dreams is an incredible thing that you get to start from and go to the top of the staircase from there.” Thomas is indeed one of the special student athletes ever to have worn the Orange and Blue. She will get one more trip to Fort Worth, more then likely, with a loaded team back in 2024. Hopefully she will be there to get that National Championship that has been way too close the last two years and finally hoist that team trophy in April.

As a sports journalist, my recent trip to Omaha for the College World Series was a whirlwind of emotions full of unforgettable moments and an up-close view of the Florida Gators' historic journey. From Rocco's Jell-O shots to navigating through five different hotels in as many days, I experienced the highs and lows of traveling while immersing myself in the rich college atmosphere of Omaha. Exploring the city, one culinary delight stood out -- the whiskey ribeye at Drover's Steakhouse. Recommended to me by a fellow journalist at On3, Nick De La Torre, Drover's was nothing short of excellent, from the salad bar to the desert. And downtown Omaha treated us to live music, further adding to the energetic ambiance that surrounded the College World Series. But it was the Gators' performance on the field that truly captivated me. After showing up just in time for the championship series, the Gators had already made a powerful name for themselves in the first half of the tournament. As the team with the most wins in program history, they entered the championship series with high expectations. Their remarkable journey included winning the regular season SEC championship and amassing an impressive 54 victories throughout the season. However, the ultimate test awaited them in the College World Series finals against their SEC rival, LSU. Against Golden Spikes winner Dylan Crews, slugger Tommy White and ace Paul Skenes it was going to have to be a perfect performance for the Gators. The first game resulted in a College World Series record, the first of many this weekend, in strikeouts as the Tigers struck the Gators out 20 times. Nonetheless, the Gators gathered themselves in it at the end, before a Tommy White go-ahead home run put the Tigers up for good in the 11th 4-3. Despite their initial triumph, the tables turned in Game 2. The Gators looked to be in rough shape after a shaky out-of-character performance from Hurston Waldrep after not even lasting three innings. The bats came alive. Ty Evans opened the game up with the first grand slam in CWS Finals history. Unlike the night before, I was able to relax from upstairs with little to no doubt following the third inning of the outcome as the Gators flipped the switch and broke the record for most runs in a finals game in a 24-4 win. Monday night would bring more drama. The Gators started strong, courtesy of Wyatt Langford's two-run homer, but their 2-0 lead quickly faded. LSU capitalized on opportunities, roughing up Gators starter Jac Caglianone in the second inning, resulting in a six-run onslaught. Caglianone, Florida's versatile star, was forced out of the game early, unable to contain the Tigers' offensive barrage. The lack of production from starting pitchers seemed to be the storyline for Florida all series. From that point onward, LSU remained in control, leaving the Gators struggling to regain their footing. The Tigers' relentless hitting led to a resounding 18-4 victory, sealing the Gators' fate as national runners-up. It was a heartbreaking moment for the team and its supporters, a stark reminder that even a historic season could end in disappointment. As I witnessed the LSU Tigers celebrate their championship, I couldn't help but admire the resilience and dedication displayed by the Gators throughout the season. Their accomplishments should not be overshadowed by the final outcome. Setting numerous records along the way, they etched their names in the annals of Florida Gators baseball history. Caglianone's record-breaking 33 home runs, Wyatt Langford's back-to-back seasons with 20 home runs and the team's remarkable tally of 145 home runs showcased their offensive prowess. Additionally, the pitching staff's 725 strikeouts and the program's all-time record of 54 wins demonstrated their dominance on the mound. While the disappointment of falling short in the College World Series may linger, the Gators' impact on the program and their legacy as one of the best teams in Florida's history cannot be denied. Their achievements paved the way for future success and set a standard that should be commended. As I concluded my trip and embarked on the journey back home, I couldn't help but reflect on the rollercoaster of emotions experienced in Omaha. The highs of victory and record-breaking performances were combatted with the agony of defeat. Yet, through it all, the camaraderie and shared passion among the Gators' players and fans created a bond that transcended the final outcome. The Florida Gators may not have hoisted the championship trophy, but their journey to the College World Series finals and their historic season will forever hold a special place in the hearts of their supporters. As a sports journalist, it was an honor to witness their dedication, resilience and the mark they left on the college baseball landscape. The trip to Omaha began with a sense of excitement and anticipation and ended with myslef being engulfed by a feeling of gratitude for being able to experience one of the greatest weekends sports has to offer. The College World Series is a pinnacle of collegiate baseball, and I had the privilege of witnessing it firsthand. Omaha, known as the "Home of the College World Series," embraced the tournament with open arms. The city was adorned with banners, flags, and the colors of participating teams, creating a vibrant atmosphere that could be felt from the moment I arrived. During my stay, I had the opportunity to explore the city between games, staying in different hotels each night. The constant movement gave me a chance to experience various aspects of Omaha, from its nightlife to its parks. I discovered the lively music scene in downtown Omaha, where local bands entertained crowds with their energetic performances. For the Gators and their dedicated fans, the disappointment of falling short in the College World Series will undoubtedly linger. However, it's crucial to recognize the impact and legacy the team has left behind. The College World Series in Omaha was not just a tournament; it was an experience that showcased the passion, dedication and spirit of college baseball. Once again, the city embraced the event, creating an atmosphere that united fans, players and journalists in a celebration of the sport. Witnessing the resilience of the Gators and their unwavering determination was a privilege, reminding me of the immense power of sports to inspire and captivate. As I look back on my time in Omaha, I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this incredible journey. The Florida Gators may not have claimed the national championship, but they will forever be remembered as a team that showcased the very best of college baseball. Their legacy will endure, and their impact on the program will serve as a foundation for future success. As a sports journalist, it is my honor to have shared the story of the Florida Gators' unforgettable journey through the College World Series. The triumphs, the setbacks and the unwavering spirit of the team will forever remain etched in the memories of those who witnessed their quest for glory.