Florida football practice opens July 31 during a pivotal Year 3 for Billy Napier. Expectations rarely have been this low, but the Gators are eager to prove nay-sayers wrong. Meanwhile, the Paris Olympics begin with a record 40 athletes with UF ties at the Games. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark discuss whether the Gators’ high hopes ring true or are fool’s gold. Gators: Doom and gloom (:00) Gators: On the brighter side (3:44) Calling the plays (5:30) All-SEC team and Graham...

The 2024 football season unofficially began at SEC Media Days. Billy Napier and the Gators were optimistic and stuck to the script amid a sea of skeptics. But the week’s big surprise was the sudden retirement of UF president Ben Sasse because of his wife’s health issues. The native of Nebraska quickly became an ardent Gators fan and was sure to have a say in Napier’s future. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar returned from a hiatus, ready for the start of fall camp at month’s...

Florida’s slow progress on the recruiting trail picked up pace with the commitment of West Broward receiver Joshua Moore, who credited DJ Lagway with luring him to Gainesville. Billy Napier does not shun a helping hand, positioning the Gators to capitalize on the NCAA ruling to allow analysts to coach the field. Meanwhile, the Florida-Georgia game will have to find a home in 2026-27, but it won’t be Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. A Gators-Bulldogs matchup in the Swamp would be something to see....

Home run king Jac Caglianone’s place in UF history is secure after he led the Gators’ unexpected postseason run. Does Cags belong on Mark and Edgar’s Gators’ Mt. Rushmore? Who makes their top 10? Speaking of lists: what are the top-5 highs and lows of 2023-24. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark lean on their 20-plus years around the program to present their cases. Gators in College World Series (:00) The future of the team (8:30) Mount Rushmore of Gator athletes (12:10) 2023-24...

The Gators’ baseball team is the last UF program still going after an improbable run to the College World Series. Along the way, Jac Caglianone has left no doubt he’s the program’s greatest slugger — and among the best all time. Mike Holloway’s place in the coach pantheon was already secure, yet Florida’s three-peat in men’s track and field and Parker Valby’s dominance furthered the Gators’ reputation as the sport’s gold standard. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark try to keep...

Last week’s SEC Spring Meetings in Destin painted a challenging financial future, even for a UF program among the nation’s healthiest and wealthiest. Coach Billy Napier will likely have to adjust his master plan due to the inevitable revenue increases and cost-cutting measures spurred by the House v. NCAA $2.77 billion settlement. Amid important discussions and decisions about what’s to come, June is the time to shine for the nation’s top baseball and softball programs. After a forgettable...

Football coach Billy Napier and UF’s administration thought they finally could move on from former signee Jaden Rashada and his representatives. Not so fast. On Tuesday, the 20-year-old sophomore already with this third school filed a lawsuit against Napier, mega-booster Hugh Hathcock and others seeking more than $10 million in damages. The suit might be a frivolous money grab, but places a negative national spotlight on a football program finally gaining some positive momentum in Year 3...

It’s that time of year for the Gators, when Florida’s Olympic sports seize center stage. Parker Valby put on a show in the 5,000 at SEC track and field championships, lacrosse is Final Four bound, men’s golf pushes to defend its 2023 national title and softball is poised for another deep postseason run. Baseball is the only struggling spring sport, but Jac Caglianone is giving fans something to celebrate. After a long hiatus, Mark and Edgar return to discuss it all, along with a little...

Basketball coach Todd Golden’s roster overhaul picked up the pace, highlighted by the arrival of  FAU guard Alijah Martin. Billy Napier’s first week in the transfer portal was quieter, but time remains for the Gators to fill some gaps. The real drama involved former quarterback recruit Jaden Rashada, who is on the move again. Meanwhile, slugger Jac Caglione is moving up the school’s all-time home runs lists, while serving as a bright spot for Kevin O’Sullivan’s struggling squad. During the...

Florida’s spring game was an improvement on 2023 and gave fans their first look at Billy Napier’s 2024 team. Those on hand left with reasons for optimism entering the offseason of a pivotal Year 3. Meanwhile, Todd Golden picked up his first commit, Chattanooga transfer Sam Alexis of Apopka, as he restocks UF’s roster during a busy offseason. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar share their many takeaways from the spring game and discuss the challenge of coaching basketball in the...

Florida’s spring game is set for Saturday in the Swamp. Fans get their first chance to see the Gators in action following a 5-7 season and sweeping offseason changes to Billy Napier’s roster and staff. While spring football nears the finish line, the college basketball concluded with UConn and South Carolina living up to the hype and potentially establishing dynasties. Meanwhile, John Calipari left behind one of the game’s bluebloods at Kentucky to stay a step ahead of the posse in Big Blue...

Florida football is amid a two-week stretch Billy Napier calls “critical” to his program’s turnaround. The Gators have two scrimmages, including the spring game, to sharpen their focus entering the offseason. Meanwhile, the biggest weekend in college basketball takes center stage, with UConn looking to become the first back-to-back champion since the 2006 and 2007 Gators. But Iowa’s Caitlin Clark has stolen the show during March Madness and helped elevate the women’s games to new heights....

Kugel returned to school expected to be a star. Instead, he endured a stunning sophomore slump ending with his much-anticipated transfer less than week after UF’s NCAA Tournament loss. Todd Golden now pushes to match last spring’s transfer portal success and maintain the Gators’ upward trajectory. Meanwhile, Billy Napier’s squad will stage its first spring scrimmage with an overhauled staff and roster. Across campus, Tim Walton’s softball program is back to it winning ways as SEC play heats...

Florida is back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in three years and capable of a deep run if the pieces fall into place as Todd Golden’s team looks to continue the program’s Year 2 turnaround. Back in Gainesville, the Gators’ Pro Day was an all-time dud, highlighting the lack of depth Billy Napier inherited from Dan Mullen. Meanwhile, Jenny Rowland’s gymnastics program remains as steady as any on campus and heads to the SEC Championships seeking a three-peat. During the latest Swamp...

Florida is all-in on coaches Todd Golden and Billy Napier, giving Golden a contract extension on the eve of the SEC tournament and increasing the recruiting budget 45% for Napier’s football program. Golden has revived the men’s basketball program and re-energized the fan base. A postseason run would punctuate the Gators’ direction. Resources have never been the problem with Napier. Results have been. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar try to make sense of all the dollars being...

Billy Napier’s third season in Gainesville is unofficially underway with the start of spring football practices. During the next six weeks, a remade roster and staff will push to turn the page on consecutive losing seasons and search for answers, leaders, playmakers and momentum. Meanwhile, Todd Golden’s Gators are ahead of schedule and poised to make a postseason statement. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark have plenty to say during the start of a big month for Florida’s two...

Florida reached 20 wins in men’s basketball for the first time since 2018 as Todd Golden’s program pushes to make a postseason run. But with three regular-season games to go, the Gators continue to show a lack of killer instinct while the mystery of Riley Kugel continues. Meanwhile, Billy Napier’s third season in Gainesville begins in earnest with the opening spring practices March 7. UF will have many new faces and faces plenty of questions as Napier aims to set a new course for his...

Florida’s upset bid in men’s basketball came up short in overtime at Alabama. Coach Todd Golden’s squad let a golden opportunity slip away, but the Gators have found their stride with March Madness on the horizon. Meanwhile, Billy Napier’s program will kick off spring football in two weeks with 30 new players and a retooled staff. After spending a week reporting from the Daytona 500, Mark and Edgar return for the latest Swamp Things to catch up with all the Gators’ goings-on, including a...

The early signing period has devalued National Signing Day on the first week of February. Even though the Gators didn’t add to the 2024 class, Billy Napier had plenty to discuss following offseason changes to virtually every aspect of his program. Something had to give after consecutive losing seasons. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark discuss Napier’s many moves and whether it will be enough to turn around the Gators. Billy Napier speaks: Was it worth the wait? (:00) Coaching...

Florida’s upset at Kentucky in men’s basketball gave Todd Golden a much-needed signature win and supercharged the Gators’ NCAA Tournament resumé. Wins at Rupp Arena don’t come easily. Prior to Wednesday, UF had won just 10 times in 50 visits to Lexington since 1974. Napier’s last trip to Kentucky ended with a 33-14 beat down, one of 14 losses in his two seasons. Poor special teams play is one of the reasons. Napier aimed to address the issue by hiring Joe Houston from the NFL, but still...

A year after Florida made national headlines and the Billy Napier’s NIL approach became a punchline, news surfaced that a failed $13.8 million deal with Rashada is under NCAA scrutiny. But will the slow wheels of justice ultimately impact the football program? Otherwise, it’s been a good week for Napier’s Gators, who continue to acquire talent in key areas as the third-year pushes to turn around his program. Meanwhile, Year 2 under men’s basketball coach Todd Golden is gaining traction...

By virtually any measure, Billy Napier entered 2024 squarely on the hot seat after consecutive losing seasons and a substandard brand of football. Florida AD Scott Stricklin disagrees and passionately backs the coach he hired to turn around the Gators. Will Stricklin be the one who ultimately decides Napier’s fate? During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar agree Stricklin has to stand by his man but wonder whether Napier’s approach to the transfer portal relative to the Gators’...

The GOAT is gone. Alabama coach Nick Saban’s retirement rocked the college football world to kick off a year shaping up to be unlike any other in moden college football. Add the exit of the face of the sport to a list including an expanded College Football playoff, SEC, ACC and Big Ten expansion and efforts to legislate NIL. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark discuss Saban’s impact on Florida football, his decision’s trickle-down effect on the SEC and whether Billy Napier can earn...

A new year brings new hope for Florida football. Coming off a 5-7 season and 11-14 overall, Billy Napier has to sell the future. It begins with 5-star quarterback signee DJ Lagway, one of three incoming Gators who played during the recent Under Armour All-American game, a half-dozen newcomers from the transfer portal and some new staff additions. After a 15-day holiday hiatus, Mark and Edgar aim to bring the big picture into focus while also discussing a huge weekend in Gators’ hoops. ...

Florida’s 2024 class didn’t turn out to be what it could have been but might have been more than it should have been after another losing season in Gainesville. A pair of 5-star prospects,  quarterback DJ Lagway and defensive lineman LJ McCray, headlined a class that settled at a respectable No. 16 in the ranking after it peaked at No. 3 prior to a 5-7 campaign. Despite losing six top-150 players since November, there is plenty to like about the group Napier and Co. signed. During the latest...