With the wind, which is so often a non-factor in the increasingly humid days of May in Gainesville, swirling across the court and scattering a water bottle or two, Allie Will—the number one women’s tennis player in the country—set her feet and let rip on a exquisitely-timed and powerful forehand. As it had just moments before, the ball blew by her Washington State opponent, skidding to a stop at the wall behind the baseline at center court at Linder Stadium. Above that wall, the Gator tennis fan faithful—an eclectic mix of sun-baked senior citizens, young kids and their thirty-something parents, sporadic groups of students, student-athletes from other sporting codes—broke into an equally diverse blend of cheers. Of course, there is the ubiquitous “Let’s go Gators!” but many also yelled Will’s first name, an example of the intensity and familiarity that epitomizes the experience of watching this talented group. Across six courts in singles play, the Gators women’s tennis team, currently ranked second in the nation, blanked Washington State: to put the domination into perspective, not one of the team gave up a set on way to the 6-0 victory.
The off-season has been quiet for Florida so far with only minor personnel news arising.
LB Graham Stewart, a true freshman last year, announced last week he is leaving the program. Muschamp said he placed no restrictions on his options, and Stewart will go to Connecticut.
“I’m going to petition the NCAA for him to be eligible immediately,” Muschamp said. “He’s a great kid. A family situation occurs like that and you’re so far from home, you deserve to have that opportunity and not have any penalty for it.”
Tevin Westbrook will move from defensive line to tight end.
By all accounts Florida’s 2013 recruiting class is terrific, it is ranked in the top five nationally.
So with recruiting for next season gong so well, it is not a surprise to hear that UF is already working on the Class of 2014.
On Thursday, a Florida Gators football coach watched Palm Beach (Fla.) Dwyer receiver Johnnie Dixon at practice, and apparently liked what he saw.
“Coach (Aubrey) Hill was out at my practice today,” Dixon told Gatorcountry.com. “After practice he told my coach that I was looking real good and that he was offering me a scholarship to Florida.”
ESPN’s Edward Aschoff talks about how Florida had more leaders step up this spring and how players are buying in more in Will Muschamp’s second year
When it comes to stopping the run next season, Florida coach Will Muschamp is hopeful that experience will make the difference.
Florida finished the 2011 season fifth in the Southeastern Conference in run defense, allowing 132.7 yards per game.
While not bad, it’s not up to the lofty standards Muschamp set at his previous stints as defensive coordinator at LSU, Auburn and Texas.
“We’ve improved up front,” Muschamp said before speaking at Tuesday night’s Central Florida Gator Club. “We entered the SEC last year with less starts than anybody else in the conference on defense.”
It will not help this up-coming season but Florida’s offensive line in 2013 got even better Saturday with the addition of former Maryland offensive lineman Max Garcia.
As a sophomore last year, Garcia started all 12 games at left tackle for the Terrapins. But the Norcross, Ga., native decided he wanted to attend a school closet to home.
“Once a Terp always a Terp,” Garcia wrote on his Twitter account Saturday, “but it is a great day to be a Florida Gator!!”
Florida’s spring practices have been completed and we will not see the players again until the fall. So what did we learn about the team this spring?
The QB Competition is still up for grabs
Heading into spring practice most Florida fans were hoping that either Jacoby Brissett or Jeff Driskel would create a little separation between themselves and the other QB’s. That did not happen.
Both managed the offense, with each leading three scoring drives playing for both the Orange and the Blue teams. Brissett (9-16-0, 233 yards, 2 TDs) showed off his arm, completing five passes longer than 20 yards. And Driskel (12-14-0, 147 yards, 0 TDs) showed accuracy and the ability to extend plays with his legs.
Really interesting comment from Florida head coach Will Muschamp last night just before he spoke to the Titletown Gator Club in Gainesville.
“I mean this: I think we’re better right now than we were at any point last year,”
Must have been one heck of a spring practice coach as that is quite a statement to make. I know that last years 7-6 Gator team was a disappointment, but what you have now is better?
Let me look at this for a second. Right now, Florida quarterbacks have a combined two career starts. The projected starting running back, a senior, has never started a game. And the wide receivers have been MIA for the last two seasons.
Disappointed but not surprised. That was my reaction to hearing that Florida freshman guard Bradley Beal announced he will enter the NBA draft this summer.
“It was the right time for me,” Beal said. “Coach (Billy Donovan) told me whatever you decide, when you decide make sure you’re at peace with it. … I wanted to make sure I was comfortable with the decision, comfortable telling coach and making the final decision because I knew there was no turning back.”
Bale is the first one-and-done player for the Gators since Donnell Harvey departed following the 2000 season, in which Florida reached the national championship game for the first time in school history.
