sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Michael Thomas' 2018 campaign, which included 125 receptions, 1,405 yards and nine touchdowns, earned him a $100 million contract extension with the Saints.

Sports

NFL players deserve every cent

By River Wells | July 31, 2019

You may have heard the news by now.

Amanda Lorenz, who was All-SEC four times in college, was drafted second overall in the 2019 National Pro Fastpitch Draft – one spot behind UF teammate Kelly Barnhill.

Sports

2020: Tim Walton’s greatest challenge

By Jack Braverman | July 31, 2019

Florida softball coach Tim Walton has had it made since the moment he arrived in Gainesville.

Florida running back Lamical Perine said that the Gators are “for sure” a College Football Playoff team at UF’s media day on Thursday. Perine rushed for 826 yards and seven touchdowns last season as UF won 10 games and a New Year’s Six bowl.

Sports

Biggest takeaways from media day

By Sam Campisano | July 30, 2019

Optimism was abounded at UF football media day on Thursday.

Pete Alonso leads all rookies with 34 home runs and 77 RBIs.

Sports

Alligator Awards: Pro of the Year

By River Wells | July 29, 2019

Many college athletes have achieved greatness in Gainesville. Far fewer have taken the next step to the pros, and even fewer have stood out among the crowd once they make it to the highest level of their sport.

Former Gator Caeleb Dressel set a FINA World Championships record with eight medals (including six gold) last week. He also set a world record time of 49.50 seconds in the 100-meter butterfly.

Sports

Former Gator Caeleb Dressel sets records at World Championships

By Dylan O'Shea | July 29, 2019

Eight medals in eight days.

Sports

Biggest takeaways from media day

By Sam Campisano | July 29, 2019

Optimism was abounded at UF football media day on Thursday.

Duarte Vale had a breakout year in 2019, going 15-1 in dual singles play.

Sports

From benchwarmer to hero: Duarte Vale’s comeback

By Noah Ram | July 29, 2019

Florida had been in this situation before.

Sports

Position-by-Position: Evaluating UF’s defensive line

By River Wells | July 24, 2019

Florida isn’t just known for its secondary.

Third-round draft pick Jachai Polite will make his professional debut with the New York Jets on Aug. 8.

Sports

Gators in the NFL: Preseason edition

By Joseph Salvador | July 24, 2019

The NFL returns Aug. 1 with the Hall of Fame Game, which means training camp is right around the corner. It’s the perfect time for draft picks and players on the bubble to prove themselves. Here are some former Gators to look out for as NFL training camps get underway:

Pete Alonso, one of the few bright spots of this Mets season, looks down in frustration after striking out earlier this month.

Sports

The agony of being a Mets fan (and why I am one)

By Sam Campisano | July 24, 2019

The cruelest thing my parents ever did was take me to Shea Stadium. Child services should’ve taken me away right there.

Defensive back CJ Henderson was one of two Gators selected to the Preseason All-SEC First Team. Henderson registered 38 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions last year.

Sports

SEC Media Days: Where things stand for the Gators

By Sam Campisano | July 22, 2019

In case you needed any more proof that expectations are higher for coach Dan Mullen’s UF football team this year, here you go:

Head Coach Dan Mullen, of Florida, speaks during the NCAA college football Southeastern Conference Media Days, Monday, July 15, 2019, in Hoover, Ala.

Sports

Don’t underestimate Miami

By River Wells | July 22, 2019

Seven points.

Ireland's Shane Lowry reacts after making a birdie on the 15th green during the final round of the British Open Golf Championships at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, Sunday, July 21, 2019.

Sports

Appreciate The Open for what it was

By Jack Braverman | July 22, 2019

Too often are sporting events touted for their drama and quickly forgotten for lack thereof.

Gators receiver Van Jefferson averaged 14.4 yards per catch in the 2018-19 season, the most in his career. He has 1502 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns over his collegiate career.

Sports

Position-by-Position: Evaluating UF’s wide receivers

By Bryan Matamoros | July 17, 2019

In his first season at the helm, Dan Mullen revitalized a Florida offense that seemed to lack an identity under former head coach Jim McElwain.

Quarterback Feleipe Franks was drafted by the Boston Red Sox with the 947th pick in the MLB Draft despite not having pitched since his junior year of high school.

Sports

Feleipe Franks agrees to terms with Boston Red Sox

By Dylan O'Shea | July 15, 2019

Florida quarterback Feleipe Franks is now a professional athlete. He’s not getting paid by a football team, however.

Former UF first baseman Pete Alonso was the only Gator to make it to the MLB All-Star Game this year, where he went 1-2 with 2 RBIs in the National League’s 4-3 defeat.

Sports

Gators in MLB: June and July

By Dylan O'Shea | July 10, 2019

A month has passed since the last review of Gators around the majors, but there is still a strong UF presence in Major League Baseball. Now that the league has reached the All-Star break, let’s look at how some former Gators are doing at the halfway point.

Florida running back Lamical Perine was the team's leading rusher last year with 826 yards, seven touchdowns and 6.2 yards per carry.

Sports

Position-by-position: Evaluating UF’s running backs

By River Wells | July 10, 2019

There’s been much talk in Gainesville about UF’s quarterback situation. Supporters and detractors of starting quarterback Feleipe Franks have often discussed whether his impact on Florida’s offense is a positive or a negative one, and any good or bad day it has is typically analyzed through the lens of the quarterback position.

Grant Holloway became just the fifth Gator to ever be named SEC Male Athlete of the Year for his performances in 2019. The junior took home four individual NCAA titles.

Sports

Alligator Awards: University of Florida Athlete of the Year

By Bryan Matamoros and Dylan O'Shea | July 8, 2019

For our third installment of this summer’s Alligator Awards, four of our writers go head-to-head and debate which UF athlete deserves to be named alligatorSports Athlete of the Year. Lacrosse player Lindsey Ronbeck, track athlete Grant Holloway and softball players Kelly Barnhill and Amanda Lorenz are the contenders.

Havana Solaun, pictured in 2014, scored Jamaica's first-ever World Cup goal in a loss to Australia. Solaun played for UF from 2011-2014.

Sports

Solaun's historic goal highlights Gators at World Cup

By Joseph Salvador | July 8, 2019

One current Gator and three former UF soccer players represented their countries at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which concluded on Sunday with a victory for the United States.

Sports

DB Brian Edwards to transfer from Florida

By Sam Campisano | July 8, 2019

Florida’s secondary depth took another hit on Monday when defensive back Brian Edwards announced his intention to transfer.