Latest news with #Gators
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Florida standout Jac Caglianone launches first two home runs of MLB career
Former Florida Gators slugger Jac Caglianone has been the hot talk among rising Major League Baseball prospects, and on Thursday night he reached one of the first of many milestones in his nacent professional career. The lefthanded first baseman, outfielder and designated hitter — as well as pitcher — slugged his first MLB home run against the Texas Rangers in Arlington. Caglianone's first dinger was a solo shot off a 95.5 mph two-seam fastball served up by southpaw Jacob Latz above the strike zone, which he sent 387 feet with an exit velocity of 106.5 mph into the stands; according to Statcast, the round-tripper was good enough to leave the park in 17 of 30 MLB parks. Cags grounded his next two times up, but in his fourth at-bat of the day, he went deep once again with another solo shot. This time, he slugged an 85.8 mph first-pitch slider from lefty Robert Garcia 439 feet thanks to a staggering 110.2 mph exit velocity — a towering shot that was out of the park in every single MLB venue this season. Advertisement He finished the day 2-for-4 before being subbed out for John Rave in right field as a defensive replacement. For the 2025 campaign, Caglianone has played in 14 games, stringing together a .218/.232/.364 slashline along with a pair of doubles, the two newly-minted home runs, four runs batted in and 12 strikeouts against one walk. Both his Fangraphs and Baseball Reference WAR values are currently in the negative, but if his performance on Thursday night was any indication, his value should be positive sooner rather than later. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions. This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida Baseball: Jac Caglianone slugs first 2 home runs of MLB career
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Florida, Miami Near Deal for Jacksonville Basketball Showdown
Florida, Miami Near Deal for Jacksonville Basketball Showdown originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Florida Gators and Miami Hurricanes are working toward a neutral-site basketball game in Jacksonville, according to a recent update shared by the official page of the Florida Gators. Mar 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Miami (Fl) Hurricanes guard Divine Ugochukwu (99) with the ball in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images© Bob Donnan-Imagn Images The in-state rivalry hasn't been a regular fixture on the basketball calendar in recent years. That may soon change with both programs reportedly nearing an agreement to bring the matchup to a new location. No date or time has been confirmed yet. The post didn't offer official scheduling details, but fans quickly picked up on the significance. A game played outside of Gainesville or Coral Gables would be notable. Jacksonville offers a large venue and access to both fan bases. It's also a neutral middle point geographically. That adds a new layer to the atmosphere of the rivalry. Advertisement This would be one of the more high-profile non-conference matchups in the state for next season. Hurricanes, coming off multiple NCAA tournament appearances, remain a strong program. The Gators are looking to build on their recent momentum. The Gators have already generated buzz with recruiting wins and early roster developments. A matchup like this only boosts that momentum heading into the fall. For the Hurricanes, it's a chance to reinforce their success with a spotlight game. A win over the Gators would help further the program's statewide reach. Both teams look ready to lean in. The neutral site gives them a shot to reach more fans. It also brings fresh energy to a basketball rivalry that's usually overshadowed by football. This kind of setup isn't new. Programs often use it to build buzz. It works. Advertisement Related: Florida and Georgia Talents Dominate U.S. Army All-American Bowl East Roster Related: Miami Heat Confirm Another Jimmy Butler Blow This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida football earns commitment from blue-chip cornerback CJ Bronaugh in 2026 cycle
Florida football earns commitment from blue-chip cornerback CJ Bronaugh in 2026 cycle Another day, another commitment for Florida football. On Wednesday, the Gators added four-star cornerback CJ Bronaugh out of Winter Garden (Florida) Windermere to its 2026 recruiting class with a verbal pledge. The 6-foot-1-inch, 166-pound defender had previously committed to the Nebraska Cornhuskers — whom he had pledged to back in November — but recently de-committed, opening the door for Billy Napier and Co. to swoop in and snatch the talent. Bronaugh holds 26 total offers with the Florida State Seminoles also in the mix, as well as the Penn State Nittany Lions and Missouri Tigers. He made an official visit in Gainesville back on May 30, followed by a trip to Lincoln for an OV with the Huskers and one in Tallahassee last weekend with FSU. Alas, the Orange and Blue prevailed... for now, at least. CJ Bonaugh's relationship with Florida football "I really like the culture that Florida has," Bronaugh previously told Swamp247. "The school is in a good area, has good facilities and is in the SEC." Defensive backs' coach Deron Wilson has spearheaded the efforts to get the Central Florida product into the Swamp, as well as Napier. Their approach is the same that has been seen across the program's recruiting efforts over the past few years, which focuses on fostering close relationships with the young prospects. "Since Coach Wilson has gotten to Florida, he's been hitting me up a lot to let me know I'm important to him... He's a really good person. If you put coaching to the side, he's just a really good dude to spend time around," Bronaugh notes. "Coach Napier is even talking with me and my family a lot... they are definitely showing they want me." CJ Bronaugh's Recruiting Summary Bronough is ranked No. 99 overall and No. 12 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 106 and 14, respectively. "Ascending defensive back prospect with some of the best speed markers in the class," 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins begins. "Hasn't faced the stiffest competition to date, but turned heads spring before senior year at an Under Armour Next Camp in Orlando where he not only tested off the charts, but also locked down one side of the field in coverage. Meets key length thresholds as he has been verified at over 6 feet and is equipped with some additional length in the arms. "Straight-line burst and sideline-to-sideline range is optimal for a single or two-high safety role, but warrants a look at corner as he will fight for positioning out on the perimeter and has the agility to mirror most weapons. Not afraid to take risks and jump routes, which led to three pick-sixes as a junior. "Serviceable as an open-field tackler on Fridays, but improved play strength would go a long way on Saturdays, especially if he's going to be asked to fit corridors. Will need to soak up coaching and keep perfecting his craft, but should be viewed as a traits-heavy secondary player that could emerge as a bonafide playmaker for a Power Four program with his frame and acceleration." Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida football's most unbreakable record is one they'd rather forget
Florida football's most unbreakable record is one they'd rather forget College football is full of jaw-dropping records–some legendary, some infamous. The Florida Gators hold one of the latter, and it's unlikely to ever be broken. In a 1969 matchup against the Auburn Tigers, Florida quarterback John Reaves threw nine interceptions–still the most in a single NCAA game. Reaves attempted 66 passes that day in a 38-12 loss, the Gators' only defeat of the season. He went on to become college football's all-time leading passer at the time, even surpassing Heisman winner Steve Spurrier in career numbers. But going back to the record of nine interceptions, that stat is etched in stone. Why? Because no coach in today's world would let it happen. A quarterback throwing even four or five interceptions gets benched. The game has evolved too much for this kind of meltdown to repeat. Reaves's record was included in ESPN college football reporter Chris Low's list of college football's most unbreakable records. The Gators also earned a nod for a far more impressive stat: Florida has scored in 461 straight games, the longest active streak in FBS history. The last time the Gators were shut out was back on Oct. 28, 1988, against the Auburn Tigers. Of course. Here is everything Low wrote about the pair of Florida football records. What ESPN said about Reaves's record "Not all records are enshrined in trophy cases. Florida quarterback John Reaves threw an NCAA-record nine interceptions (on 66 passing attempts) in a 38-12 loss to Auburn in 1969. Reaves was a prolific passer and put up better career numbers than Gators Heisman Trophy winner Steve Spurrier, but Florida's only loss of the 1969 season was 'one of those days.' "When Reaves left Florida in 1971, he was college football's all-time leading passer with 7,549 yards, and he was selected in the first round of the NFL draft. Reaves died in 2017 at the age of 67. He joked years after that forgettable game that the "safeties were the only guys who were open that day." In this age of college football, any coach who kept a quarterback in a game long enough to throw nine interceptions probably would be looking for a new job the next week." What ESPN said about Florida's scoring streak "Florida has scored in 461 straight games, the longest active streak and the longest in FBS history. The last time the Gators were shut out in a game was on Oct. 29, 1988, a 16-0 loss to Auburn. A distant second is TCU, which has scored in 407 straight games." Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida basketball finalizing matchup with in-state rival Miami Hurricanes in November
Florida basketball finalizing matchup with in-state rival Miami Hurricanes in November Florida basketball is closing in on an agreement to take on the Miami Hurricanes in Jacksonville this coming season, according to Swamp247's Graham Hall. The two programs are eyeing Sunday, Nov. 16, as the date for the neutral-court matchup between two in-state rivals. According to the report, the Gators have already agreed to a contract with the City of Jacksonville, while the 'Canes are expected to follow suit in the near future. However, Hall did not indicate a projected decision date. It will be the 70th meeting between the Sunshine State schools and the first with head coach Todd Golden at the helm of the Orange and Blue. Florida holds the edge in the all-time series, doubling up Miami at 46-23, and has won six of the last 10 meetings, including two straight. The last time the two teams met on the collegiate parquet was in the second round of the Charleston Classic held in Charleston, South Carolina, back in 2019. The Gators trounced the Hurricanes in a 78-58 beatdown on that late November afternoon. Once finalized, Miami joins the Arizona Wildcats, Duke Blue Devils and UConn Huskies on Florida's non-conference schedule, as well as the inevitable matchup with the Florida State Seminoles. There is also the Rady Children's Invitational at the end of November in which the Gators will compete against the Providence Friars, TCU Horned Frogs and Wisconsin Badgers. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
