Sports | Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

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Gators in the NFL: Former UF receivers score TDs, Bullard earns sack

By Matt Brannon | Aug. 30, 2016

Colin Kaepernick’s refusal to stand during the anthem overshadowed an even more surprising narrative on the 49ers’ sideline this week: The re-emergence of Jeff Driskel. But setting Driskel aside for a moment, Florida’s receivers, defensive rookies and veterans came through for their teams in Week 3 of the NFL preseason.

UF coach Jim McElwain talks with his team following the Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Cleveland, Wells suspended for Florida’s opener

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 29, 2016

Freshmen receivers Tyrie Cleveland and Rick Wells are suspended for Florida’s season opener against Massachusetts on Saturday, coach Jim McElwain announced on Monday.

Quarterback Luke Del Rio (14) drops back to pass during Florida's Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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McElwain, Del Rio confident in offense

By Patrick Pinak | Aug. 29, 2016

Jim McElwain slammed his hand on the side of the lectern during his Monday press conference, but he wasn’t angry.

Quarterback Feleipe Franks drops back to pass during the Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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Notebook: McElwain wants to get freshman QBs playing time

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 29, 2016

Redshirt sophomore Luke Del Rio is the Gators’ starting quarterback in Saturday’s season opener against UMass. Purdue graduate transfer Austin Appleby is cemented as his backup.

UF football players run out of the tunnel prior to Florida's 27-2 loss to Florida State on Nov. 28, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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AlligatorSports Roundtable: Who will be the MVP for Florida football in 2016?

Aug. 28, 2016

The Florida football team has playmakers throughout its roster, but will one player stand out from the rest this season? In the second edition of the alligatorSports roundtable, football writers Ethan Bauer, Ian Cohen, Jordan McPherson and Patrick Pinak predict who will be Florida’s Most Valuable Player in 2016.

Receiver Dre Massey participates in Florida's 2016 Spring practice at the Sanders Practice Fields.

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After two years in junior college, receiver finds home at Florida

By Patrick Pinak | Aug. 25, 2016

Steve Spurrier didn’t forget about Dre.

UF's Antonio Callaway (81) returns a punt 85 yards for a touchdown during Florida's 29-15 loss to Alabama in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game on Dec. 5, 2015, in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Season-opener status for three receivers remains unclear

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 25, 2016

Antonio Callaway has been taking reps with the first-team offense during practice over the last three weeks.

UF offensive lineman Fred Johnson (74) screams in excitement as he runs out of the tunnel prior to Florida's 14-9 win against Kentucky on Sept. 19, 2015, at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky.

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Youth along offensive line will prove critical to UF’s success

By Ethan Bauer | Aug. 25, 2016

At 6-foot-6 with piercing green eyes, Fred Johnson is a man who walks into a room and demands attention.

Cornerback Jalen Tabor (31) celebrates after successfully defending wide receiver Josh Hammond (10) during the Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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AlligatorSports Roundtable: Predicting the Florida Gators football season

Aug. 24, 2016

With UF’s season opener against UMass fast approaching, alligatorSports football writers Ethan Bauer, Ian Cohen, Jordan McPherson and Patrick Pinak take their best shots at predicting how the 25th-ranked Gators will fare this year.

Johnny Townsend punts during Florida's 20-14 overtime win against Florida Atlantic on Nov. 21, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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One town, two Townsends: UF’s punting brothers helping each other grow

By Patrick Pinak | Aug. 23, 2016

There weren’t many players the Gators leaned on as much as Johnny Townsend last year.

Safety Marcell Harris (26) tackles running back Mark Thompson during the Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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With time running out, UF defensive back wants to be great

By Ethan Bauer | Aug. 23, 2016

The top two safeties in Florida’s 2013 recruiting class have taken strikingly different paths so far in their young careers.

Florida center Cameron Dillard prepares to snap the ball during the 2016 Orange and Blue debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Dillard is among UF's veterans tasked with leading the next generation of offensive linemen.

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Veterans looking to patch up Florida’s porous offensive line

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 23, 2016

When Bryan Cox walks up to the left side of the line of scrimmage and squares his 6-foot-3, 269-pound frame toward the quarterback, he has his eyes set on one player: sophomore offensive lineman Fred Johnson.

Former University of Florida teammates, Jacksonville Jaguars' Dante Fowler, left, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Vernon Hargreaves, right, pose for a photo after they signed and exchanged jerseys after an NFL preseason football game in Jacksonville, Fla., Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

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Gators in the NFL: Hargreaves hauls in two interceptions

By Matt Brannon | Aug. 22, 2016

The NFL preseason is back in session, which means it's time for four weeks of almost-football: the grace period for rookies to get their feet wet and veterans to get back in form for Week 1. Halfway through the preseason, let’s take a look at how Florida’s former Gators are competing at the next level.

UF defensive back Quincy Wilson (6) celebrates after catching an interception in the waning seconds of Florida's 24-14 win against South Carolina on Nov. 14, 2015, at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina.

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Column: Tabor isn't only corner to fear on UF's defense

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 22, 2016

Last season, Jalen Tabor cast shadows over opposing wide receivers.

Florida defensive lineman CeCe Jefferson participates in a drill during a Spring practice on March 21, 2016, at the Sanders Football Field.

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Defensive lineman balances football with fatherhood

By Ethan Bauer | Aug. 22, 2016

There’s meaning behind each of the tattoos that paint CeCe Jefferson’s right arm, and to begin to understand him, you need to understand them.

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Breaking down UF’s defense two weeks before opener

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 21, 2016

With the Florida football team several weeks into preseason camp, alligatorSports Editors Ian Cohen and Ethan Bauer take a look at UF's position groups on defense and special teams and provide analysis from the first few weeks of Fall practice.

Quarterback Luke Del Rio (left) hugs his parents -- dad Jack Del Rio and mom Linda Del Rio -- during Gator Walk prior to the Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

After three years of waiting, Del Rio earns starting gig

By Ethan Bauer | Aug. 21, 2016

Luke Del Rio was destined to start at quarterback for Jim McElwain.

Florida quarterback Luke Del Rio throws a pass during a Spring practice on March 16, 2016, at the Sanders Practice Fields.

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Gators name Del Rio starting quarterback

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 18, 2016

After two weeks of preseason camp, Florida has named its starting quarterback.

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Column: To future Florida parents: Hope and pray your children are never assaulted by a football player

By Ethan Bauer | Aug. 17, 2016

It’s 3 a.m. and your phone rings. Struggling to shake the crust from your eyes, you wonder who it could be. And then it smacks you like cold water to the face.

UF cornerback Jalen Tabor participates in Spring practice on March 11, 2016, at the Sanders Practice Facility.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Tabor, Lewis suspended for season opener

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 17, 2016

Florida cornerback Jalen Tabor and tight end C’yontai Lewis have been suspended from the team and will miss UF's season opener on Sept. 3, Florida announced on Wednesday.