ReportWire

Tag: Florida Sports

  • Showtime Speedway keeps grassroots racing alive in Pinellas County

    [ad_1]

    PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — Grassroots racing has a charm to it. Robert Yoho can recall working at Showtime Speedway in Pinellas County as a kid.

    What You Need To Know

    • Showtime Speedway is a grassroots race track in Pinellas County

    • Robert Yoho worked at the track as a kid, and now owns Showtime

    • The track hosted the Outlaw Figure 8 World Finals earlier this month

    • Showtime has overcome a number of challenges to stay open, ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic to natural disasters


    “I was a vendor here saying ‘Coke’ ‘Pepsi’ sold them for a quarter apiece and then I went in the military I did my time,” Yoho said.

    Yoho joined the Army, served four tours overseas and when he finished his service, he came back to what he knew best: Showtime.

    “Came back 20 years later and it was closed down… I made a bid… and I’ve been here since 2011,” Yoho said.

    Now Yoho owns the track in a joint agreement with the state of Florida, which owns the land.

    But the lights went out at Showtime a couple of times in recent years. COVID shut down the track during the pandemic.

    Then in 2024, after hurricanes Helene and Milton, Duke Energy took over the track for their trucks. Later, FEMA used the grounds as a landfill for 90 days. Yoho said the track still hasn’t recovered.

    “I understand it, but when COVID came in and killed your crowd and you’re trying to get back to where you were and then they stop and do that again, I still have people stop over here and dump garbage, out in the parking lot, anywhere, they think it’s a landfill,” Yoho said.

    Well, it’s not a landfill anymore. The track is open and hosted the Outlaw Figure 8 World Finals earlier this month.

    Mark Tunny has won this Outlaw Figure 8 title six times, the most of any driver. He wasn’t going to miss the chance to get No. 7.

    “$10,000 and the bragging rights, obviously,” Tunny said when asked what the stakes are for this race. “We come down from Indiana every year, every February, and we look forward to this. Grassroots racing — I don’t think you find anything better than that… I don’t care what NASCAR fans have to say. F1. IndyCar. No, the short track racing with the guys that got money on their line, whether it’s their bank account or their sponsors’ money — I think that’s where you get the best racing.”

    That is why Yoho worked so hard to re-open this track; there is culture here. These drivers take time off their day jobs to race.

    Yoho, the owner of the track, throws on a fire suit and races from time to time as well.

    “I didn’t get to race when I was little. Now all my friends that raced when they were little are watching me race as I’m older,” Yoho said.

    Auto racing is at a pivotal moment for the sport. It has been a struggle to attract new fans. But the fans they do have still absolutely love it. There were kids running figure eights around trash cans during the intermission.

    “We’re having a ton of fun out here at Showtime Speedway. It’s so much fun running around and watching the cars go round,” young racing fan Cooper Meyer said.

    “We love it here, you got the beach down the road and like I said we can’t do any racing at home in February so we come down here we all get sunburnt we all have a real good time and go racing,” Tunny said.

    This track, which opened in 1960, has entertained generations of race fans. Through multiple closures and name changes, Showtime Speedway keeps finding a way to put on a show.

    [ad_2]

    Michael Epps

    Source link

  • Stefanie Ingram helped lead USF through late coaching change

    [ad_1]

    TAMPA, Fla. — It’s a new era for the University of South Florida women’s basketball program, undergoing a coaching change late in the offseason.

    What You Need To Know

    •  The USF women’s basketball program had a coaching change just before the season.

    •  Jose Fernandez left for the WNBA, and Michele Woods-Baxter took over.

    •  Point guard Stefanie Ingram has helped steer the ship and keep the team together through that late change.

    •  Ingram is from Orlando, winning back-to-back state titles at Lake Highland Prep.


    Replacing a legend is not easy, but that is what interim coach Michele Woods-Baxter is trying to do, taking over for Jose Fernandez, who left USF after 25 years as its head coach.

    “It’s been a little bit crazy for us with Jose departing. But you know what, our group was resilient, I thought everybody came, and even after his departure everybody came together,” Woods-Baxter said.

    “It is what it is, we have players that get injured, and it’s next person up, and Coach B was the next person up. And she stepped up, and we’re all right behind her we all had to step up in a different role, and we’re all doing our best, which is exactly what we’re supposed to do,” USF redshirt junior Stefanie Ingram said.

    Fernandez left in October, just weeks before the start of the season, and jumped to the WNBA as head coach of the Dallas Wings. The program elevated Woods-Baxter to interim head coach after 17 seasons as an assistant.

    Ingram, the team’s point guard, transfered in to USF this offseason and just months after she arrived to campus, her head coach left. But she and the entire team did not skip a beat.

    “Just the competitive atmosphere, like, when I first got here in the summer when Jose was here, the competitiveness was huge, and even after he left, it maintained. Like, it’s in the people that are here, and that’s really what I love about this program,” Ingram said.

    “Stef’s a rock. I thought when it was tough for some of our players after coach left, I thought her and Karla both did a great job at pulling the team together and just letting them know hey we’re gonna be alright we’re gonna be fine,” Woods-Baxter said.

    Ingram is from Orlando, winning back-to-back state titles at Lake Highland Prep. She took her talents to the SEC, spending two seasons at Georgia before transferring to Florida Atlantic last season. Now, she’s closer to home, playing in Tampa.

    “It’s been great my family can come to the games. Yeah, it’s been really fun just having everybody here and I love Florida obviously,” Ingram said.

    She looked right at home on that court, shining in nonconference play with 27 points against Duke and 23 at Vanderbilt, two power conference opponents.

    “I’m a pass-first point guard, I’m not somebody that goes out there looking for my own shot specifically, but my teammates and coaches have said, ‘You gotta score, you gotta push, you have the capability for it,’ so I’ve been trusting them and trying to put the ball in the basket,” Ingram said.

    The Bulls will need her to keep doing that to accomplish their goal of winning an American Conference championship.

    [ad_2]

    Michael Epps

    Source link

  • Nick Townley inspired by long line of Plant baseball legends

    [ad_1]

    TAMPA, Fla. — Wade Boggs Field, the baseball stadium at Plant High School, has the footsteps of legends on it.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Plant baseball program has sent multiple players to the MLB

    • Jac Caglionone just got his number retired, meeting the current group of Panthers players

    • Nick Townley hopes to be the next guy in line

    • Townley is the ace of the staff, a senior pitcher who has impressive command on the mound


    “We’ve always had some pretty good players and there’s kind of a long line of tradition to that,” Plant baseball head coach Dennis Braun said.

    The program boasts an impressive list of alums on the outfield wall, which has numbers retired from left field all the way down to right field.

    “We’re one of the few schools that has a Hall of Famer in Wade Boggs and we might have a future couple more if they keep doing the things they’re doing,” Braun said.

    Braun is referring to 5-time MLB All-Star Pete Alonso and 4-time All-Star Kyle Tucker, both former Panthers who are two of the best hitters in baseball.

    The latest pro to get his number retired is Jac Caglianone, a 2021 Plant alum who was a two-way star for the Florida Gators and is already in the bigs with the Kansas City Royals. The current team was able to meet Cagnianone at the ceremony earlier this month, seeing a guy who sat in the same dugout they do move on to accomplish what he has accomplished.

    “Yeah, I think that’s what the motivation is, I think everyone wants to be them not all of them are going to be 6 foot 5 250 pounds and that’s a big part of getting to the level that they get to but I think that motivation is a big deal for them and I think it’s what makes the program grow,” Braun said.

    “It was really nice to see. Obviously, he’s one of the greats of high school baseball, and it was really nice to be able to see the impact he’s made here,” Plant senior pitcher Nick Townley said.

    Townley hopes to one day be the next guy in line.

    “Yeah it really does help my focus. It just helps me stay concentrated on my main goal here which is competing as a team and winning and focusing on getting better,” Townley said.

    Townley is the ace of the staff, a senior right-hander who doesn’t light up the radar gun with a ton of velocity but makes up for it with an impressive command on the mound.

    “Throughout the fall and early spring I’ve just been working on my pitch location and delivery, getting better at sequencing and finding out where hitters are weak against me so I can get them out in the best way,” Townley said.

    He got some preseason recognition from 813 Preps, a Hillsborough County high school baseball publication, ranking him as the 23rd best player in the area.

    “I thought it was pretty cool but the rankings don’t mean anything until we start playing games so I try not to focus on it much, yeah it for sure adds some pressure but I gotta go into games knowing that I still have a job to throw good pitches and compete with the hitters so that just helps me stay focused,” Townley said.

    “Being ranked means you’ve done something you’ve earned that and every year you’ve gotta earn it. Baseball is a tough game so I think it’s important for him to come back down a little bit and not get too caught up in that throw strikes rely on his defense and if he does those things I think he will have another great year,” Braun said.

    Of course, Townley dreams of making it to “The Show.” Every baseball player does. No program around here has sent more players to the pros than Plant lately, so he’s in a great spot to try and get that dream started here.

    “Even though you may not make it, you may not be them let’s do everything we can so if that day comes that we don’t you can hang your cleats up and say I did everything I could to be the best player I could and that’s what we’re trying to do every day,” Braun said.

    For now, Townley is focused on this season and getting his team to state.

    [ad_2]

    Michael Epps

    Source link

  • Shane McClanahan ready to ‘enjoy the game again’ after 2 injured seasons

    [ad_1]

    PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — There have been a ton of smiles this week at the Charlotte Sports Complex, the spring training home of the Tampa Bay Rays, as pitchers and catchers reported.

    Perhaps the brightest smile of all came from Shane McClanahan on Thursday.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Shane McClanahan is a starting pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays

    •  He has missed the last two seasons because of injury

    •  Prior to the injury, he was one of the best pitchers in baseball and a two-time All-Star

    •  McClanahan has rejoined his teammates in Port Charlotte, with pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training


    McClanahan has missed the past two full seasons because of injuries. Last spring, he could not feel his fingers in his left hand. Now, he’s throwing a baseball and doing what he loves here at spring training.

    “It’s crazy how much you miss this, just the little things like the playing catch, being around the guys, the working out and, you know, just enjoying the game again,” McClanahan said.

    After a strong rookie year, McClanahan caught fire in 2022, posting an earned run average under 2.00 in the first half of the season, and was the American League starting pitcher in the All-Star Game. In 2023, he had an 11-2 record until August, when he experienced forearm tightness. Tommy John surgery ended his season and started a long road to recovery.


    “It gives me a better appreciation for what I’ve missed,” he said. “I’ve missed the little things being in the clubhouse with the guys and the bus rides out to the fields, the plane rides, like you obviously missed playing, but you don’t realize, I think until you get it taken away from you, how special this atmosphere is.”

    McClanahan got off to a good start in last year’s spring training, but a triceps injury uncovered a nerve issue that required surgery, keeping him out.

    Now, the flame-throwing lefty is finally back. He told the media on Thursday that his arm feels good, he had a normal offseason workout program and is still being careful but is ready to get back out on the mound and in front of Rays fans.

    More Tampa Bay Rays spring training headlines


    “I mean they’re gonna see me on the mound, which is different from the past two years, but no, I think they’re still gonna see that same guy that loves this community loves this team, loves to win,” McClanahan said.

    His fellow pitchers are excited for him to play, too.

    “His presence and having that type of pitcher back in the rotation, that’s only gonna make us better, and we’re gonna try to do what we can so that he doesn’t have to take the brunt of the load and try to be the guy, the two-time All-Star that he is, and he can kinda ease himself back into it after not pitching for a while. But I’ve seen him throw a lot on TV and it’s nasty, so I’m excited to see it from the dugout,” Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepoit said.

    McClanahan is expected to lead a revamped rotation, with Drew Rasmussen and Pepoit returning and a couple new faces in Nick Martinez and Steven Matz joining them.

    [ad_2]

    Michael Epps

    Source link

  • Young Cocoa driver chasing NASCAR dream

    [ad_1]

    AUBURNDALE, Fla. — Ayden Carmichael’s favorite parts of racing are in the thick of the competition. 

    “To be honest, it has to be like the actual race, and I really like passing people,” Carmichael said. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Ayden Carmichael is a young racer from Cocoa

    • He won his first U.S. Legend race at the Showdown Series this weekend

    • Carmichael was named the reserve champion for 2025 Legends Division points standings at Auburndale Speedway

    • At the Summer Shootout Series in Charlotte, N.C., he worked with his favorite NASCAR driver, Bubba Wallace 


    The track is his domain. It’s been that way since he was 4 years old. 

    When he’s in race mode, it’s like he’s on the hunt, just like a shark. 

    “My grandma, me and her used to always read shark books,” Carmichael said, explaining how he got his nickname, “The Shark.”

    “Every time I pass somebody, it was just my driving style. I would come up on you, push you out the way, and my uncle said, ‘just like a shark’.”

    Ayden Carmichael, 12, is nicknamed ‘The Shark’ for the way he chases down other racers. (Spectrum Sports/Brandon Green)

    Carmichael started by driving go-karts. Since then, he has graduated and is now driving a U.S. Legend car, which goes around 120 mph. 

    The Cocoa native comes from three generations of racers. Granddad Bill; his uncle, Nate; and Carmichael work on the car together. 

    “It means a lot that they would spend their time [here], instead of with other parts of the family, just relaxing and helping me do this. It means a lot,” Carmichael said.

    At just 12 years old, Carmichael earned the reserve champion honor for 2025 Legends Division points standings at Auburndale Speedway. He’s the youngest driver to accomplish the feat. 

    “It means a lot to be the youngest driver, especially beating the big dogs,” Carmichael said. 

    “We got second overall last year, adults and children. They don’t separate them at the local tracks,” said Nate Carmichael, his uncle and crew chief.

    Nate Carmichael has been coaching Ayden since he started racing.

    Nate Carmichael, Ayden’s uncle, has been coaching the young racer since he was young. (Spectrum Sports/Brandon Green)

    “It was a lot of hard work, some bad words, a lot of sleepless nights,” Nate Carmichael said. “A couple bent frames, it’s just very rewarding to come together as a team.”

    Carmichael’s motivation to be the best comes from knowing it’s possible.

    Last year, he participated in the Summer Shootout Series in Charlotte, N.C., and went to work alongside and learned from the NASCAR driver who he said is his favorite, Bubba Wallace. 

    “It was really great. He’s a good, down-to-earth guy. He really helped me with my line over at Charlotte,” Carmichael said.

    This past weekend at Auburndale Speedway, Carmichael added to his trophy case by winning the Showdown Series. It was his first win in a U.S. Legend car. 

    [ad_2]

    Brandon Green

    Source link

  • Phillies begin unpacking equipment in preparation for spring training

    [ad_1]

    CLEARWATER, Fla. — Pitchers and catchers will report for their first workouts for Major League Baseball spring training starting Tuesday.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pitchers and catchers start reporting for spring training in Florida this week

    • Phillies staff members are already unloading trucks with the supplies the team will need

    • They are bringing 2,400 baseballs, 140 batting helmets and 1,200 baseball bats this spring

    • Spring training games begin Feb. 20

    Florida is home to baseball’s Grapefruit League, and thousands of fans will flock to the Tampa Bay area to watch their favorite teams because seven of the franchises call the Tampa Bay area home during spring training, bringing a huge economic impact. Throughout Florida, more than 1.4 million fans visited for spring training in 2025, generating about $687,000 annually for the state and creating more than 7,000 jobs, according to data from the Florida Sports Foundation and studies of the Grapefruit League.

    That means teams like the Philadelphia Phillies have to start getting ready.

    When the equipment trucks start pulling into Baycare Ballpark, it marks the unofficial start to spring training in Clearwater.

    Phillies staff members like clubhouse attendant Tim Schmidt wait months for the trucks full of gear and supplies.

    “It’s been on my calendar for a while, so yeah, it’s nice that it’s here, and I’m excited to get it underway, and I’m ready to see the guys,” Schmidt said.

    Filled to the brim, it takes the whole staff, as well as some help from a forklift, to unload all the supplies needed for spring training.

    The Phillies are bringing 2,400 baseballs, 140 batting helmets and 1,200 baseball bats this spring, Schmidt said.

    Among all the people who helped unload the trucks was Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector.

    He said it’s a day he looks forward to every year.

    “Our sign of spring is the Phillies equipment truck arriving,” Rector said. “That’s a little bit more predictable than the groundhog.”

    Spring training has been in Clearwater for about 100 years, including the Phillies here for most of that time, Rector said.

    “Such a strong connection with our citizens,” Rector said. “They’ve been here for 80 years. It’s almost like seeing family come home.”

    Schmidt said it was going to be a long day because there is a lot to unpack before the players arrive.

    Still, the work isn’t an issue.

    He’s ready to focus on the season.

    “Once we get down here, it’s go time,” Schmidt said. “We don’t really stop until the playoffs are over.”

    The seven teams that will be in the Tampa Bay area for the next few weeks, honing their skills before the regular season begins, are the Phillies, the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates and the Atlanta Braves.

    Spring training games begin Feb. 20, and tickets are on sale now.

     

    [ad_2]

    Matt Lackritz

    Source link

  • EKG to be required for Florida high school athletes starting in July

    [ad_1]

    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A medical test will soon be required for all Florida high school student-athletes, thanks to new state legislation called the ‘Second Chance Act‘. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Evan Ernst, the Co-founder of the non-profit Who We Play For, said they can detect 95% of the conditions that can cause cardiac arrest with the procedure 
    • An electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG or EKG, is a non-invasive test that records the heart’s electrical activity

    • The legislation officially goes into effect for the 2026 school year on July 1


    An electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG or EKG, is a non-invasive test that records the heart’s electrical activity. 

    The test aims to prevent kids from going into cardiac arrest. 

    Evan Ernst, the co-founder of the non-profit Who We Play For, said they can detect 95% of the conditions that can cause cardiac arrest with the procedure.

    “There’s 23,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests every single year in America,” he said. “For the kids who have underlying heart conditions, this will catch most.” 

    Thanks to the non-profit, more than 70 students between the ages of 10 and 25  got an ECG at the Galen College of Nursing in St. Petersburg on Saturday.

    This includes 16-year-old Hadley Stenberg. 

    She attends school in Tampa, and while she’s never gotten this test before, she wasn’t worried and wants others to feel comfortable. 

    “It’s cool to see what your heart is doing,” said Stenberg. “No pain at all. It was quick and easy, maybe took two minutes for them to do everything.” 

    The procedure tests for multiple conditions that 1-300 kids may have. 

    Evan lost one of his childhood friends on the soccer field because of cardiac arrest.

    With the Florida legislature passing the act in 2025, he said this will prevent other kids from having to go through the same thing. 

    “This becoming the standard of care for Florida kids is absolutely massive,” he said. “It’s one of the biggest accomplishments in children’s health care in this country in decades.” 

    The legislation officially goes into effect for the 2026 school year on July 1. 

    [ad_2]

    Matt Lackritz

    Source link

  • Lake Gibson High School will be all over the Super Bowl

    [ad_1]

    LAKELAND, Fla. — The high school football season doesn’t kick off until August, but the Lake Gibson Braves are putting in the work now that hopefully will show up on Friday nights.

    And this offseason, they’ve got extra incentive. Three of their fellow Lake Gibson Braves will be in the Super Bowl.

    What You Need To Know

    • When the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots faceoff in the Super Bowl, Lake Gibson High School will be represented in three ways

    • Roy Ellison, Class of 1983, will be officiating. Quinshon Odom, Class of 2010, is an assistant coach for the Seahawks. And Tyrice Knight, Class of 2018, is a linebacker for Seattle

    • All three played football at Lake Gibson


    “Yeah, it gives me hope,” junior linebacker Malachi Moore said. “You know what I’m saying, one in a million chance, so it really just gives us all hope.”

    And it gives the school serious bragging rights. Former Lake Gibson coaches Keith and Doug DeMyer coached two of the alumni that will be in the Super Bowl.

    Going through old yearbooks brought back some fond memories of the glory days.

    On Super Bowl Sunday, referee Roy Ellison, Lake Gibson Class of 1983, Seattle Seahawks offensive assistant coach Quinshon Odom, Class of 2010 and Seahawks linebacker Tryrice Knight, Class of 2018 will be representing the Braves. Roy will be officiating his fourth Super Bowl. Quinshon, the former Lake Gibson quarterback, will be coaching in his first. It will also be a first for Tyrice, who is a big part of the NFL’s sixth-ranked defense.

    “It’s pretty special to have three of them in all three phases,” Keith DeMyer said. “Administration, officiating and a player. It’s just great.”

    These current players can bear witness to dreams really coming true.

    “It opens up some eyes, like we can really do that if we put in the work and do what we’re instructed to do,” Doug DeMyer said. “And take care of things in the classroom and out in the community and we just follow the plan that’s been laid many, many moons ago and obviously the plan is successful.”

    [ad_2]

    Katherine Smith

    Source link

  • Jazz sending ex-Florida, UCF stars to Grizzlies in blockbuster deal for All-Star

    [ad_1]

    All-Star forward Jaren Jackson Jr. has been traded to the Utah Jazz in what will be an eight-player, multiple-pick deal with the Grizzlies that results in former Florida Gator and 2025 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player Walter Clayton Jr. and former UCF forward Taylor Hendricks also heading to Memphis.

    Utah is also sending Georges Niang and Kyle Anderson and three future first-round picks to the Grizzlies.

    Jackson, Jock Landale, John Konchar and Vince Williams Jr. will be going to Utah with Jackson Jr.

    In the offseason, Memphis previously had traded guard Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for multiple draft picks and a pick swap. He apparently was the first shoe to drop.

    Memphis has been engaged in talks about trading star guard Ja Morant as well. For now, the Grizzlies decided to part with Jackson, a former defensive player of the year.

    Jackson averaged 19.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game this season for Memphis, the team that drafted him No. 4 overall in 2018. He was a two-time All-Star for the Grizzlies, the 2023 defensive player of the year, a two-time blocked shot champion and a three-time all-defensive team pick.

    Of the four Utah players moving to Memphis in the deal, none averaged more than 7.1 points per game this season. Niang has yet to play because of injury; he was with the Atlanta Hawks last season, got traded to the Boston Celtics in July and then sent to Utah in August.

    Clayton Jr. was selected No. 18 overall by the Jazz in the 2025 NBA Draft. Hendricks, picked No. 9 overall in the 2023 draft, was in his third season with the Jazz, but he missed all but three games last season after fracturing his right fibula and dislocating his ankle.

    [ad_2]

    Spectrum Sports Staff, Associated Press

    Source link

  • Rink construction begins for NHL Stadium Series game at Raymond James Stadium

    [ad_1]

    TAMPA, Fla. — Two outdoor NHL hockey games are being played in the state of Florida this season, with both being a lot different from each other. 

    The NHL Winter Classic was played earlier this month in Miami at loanDepot park, the home of baseball’s Marlins. This was technically an outdoor hockey game because the ballpark’s roof was open at puck drop, but was otherwise completely enclosed.

    What You Need To Know

    • Rink construction is underway for the NHL Stadium Series game

    • The Tampa Bay Lightning will host the Boston Bruins on Feb. 1

    • NHL facilities workers will begin building the ice on Sunday, which will be protected by a tent all week

    • Refrigeration units will help keep the ice frozen through the warm Florida temps


    Raymond James Stadium, the home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is not covered and is exposed to the sun and open air. This NHL Stadium Series game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins will be played out in the open, presenting a brand-new experience for hockey players and fans.

    There are naturally some concerns with playing a hockey game completely outdoors in Florida, but the NHL has a plan in place.

    Construction for the rink is underway, beginning with the rink infrastructure, and then on Sunday, they will start to build the ice.


    “We’ve got six days set aside for ice making so once the tent’s up, we’ll have some HVAC units and dehumidification units inside the tent,” NHL Vice President of Hockey Operations Derek King said. “Same process as they would do at any other arena, especially here at Benchmark Arena, we’ll probably run a surface of about 2.5 to 3 inches.”

    Refrigeration trucks arrived outside the stadium on Monday and are in charge of keeping the ice at the right temperature. There will be a tent built over the rink to protect it from the sun throughout game week. Then on game day, the tent will come down, and they will keep a tarp on the ice to reflect the sun, keeping the frozen water frozen.

    “If we’re 75 (degrees) at puck drop it will be a bit of a challenge for us,” NHL Senior Manager of Facilities Operations Andrew Higgins said. “That’s why we brought both of our refrigeration units, those will be working hard if we’re 75. But forecast looks like mid to low 60s, which is pretty much perfect for us.”

    Bolts captain Victor Hedman visited the stadium on Tuesday to check out the progress. The Tampa defenseman won’t play in the game, since he is still returning from injury, but he said the guys are just excited to experience NHL history right here in Tampa.

    “It will be a different experience, obviously, but the game is at night, the sun will be down so that’s gonna help a lot,” Hedman said. “I think for us it’s all about experiencing this outdoor game and it’s gonna be a spectacular event for the NHL and Tampa too to host an event like this.”

    Puck drop is set for 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 1. Many are hoping for some chilly weather like what the Tampa Bay area has had over the last few days, both for ice conditions and to help set an authentic hockey atmosphere around the palm trees of Florida.

    [ad_2]

    Michael Epps

    Source link

  • Land O’ Lakes soccer star scores on Senior Night

    [ad_1]

    LAND O’ LAKES, Fla. — Senior Nights in high school sports are special. The Land O’ Lakes boys soccer team honored 16 of them earlier this month at John Benedetto Stadium, nicknamed “The Swamp.”

    What You Need To Know

    • Eamon Carman is a star forward/midfielder for the Land O’Lakes High School boys soccer team

    • Eamon leads the team and is ranked in the top 10 statewide in goals scored

    • The Gators honored 16 seniors during their Senior Night game earlier this month

    • Shortly into the game, Eamon scored, giving him a memory he will never forget on his special night


    With some eyes far from dry, forward/midfielder Eamon Carman was adamant that there would be no tears from him out there.

    “I wouldn’t say it’s emotional, I mean I’m excited about it, last home game, I’m excited to just play. I’m ready to play and hopefully score goals and have some fun,” Carman said.

    But once he lined up with his family on the track, the tough skin on the Gators star softened a bit.

    “Now I feel a little emotional, but I’m still excited to play the game,” Carman said.

    His mom, Anne Gallacher, was honest when asked if she would tear up.

    “Oh yeah, I will,” Gallacher said.

    This moment means a lot to him because of how much the game of soccer means to him.

    “I started when I was 7 years old. It was the first sports I played when my cousin played it and got me into it, and I just wanted to play it and loved it ever since,” Carman said.

    The Land O’ Lakes boys soccer team loves him as well, leading the team in goals scored with 26 entering that game.

    “I want to score, I want to win games, so I come out strong and put everything I have into the game and try to put the ball in the back of the net,” Carman said.

    “You know how kids are just born with a skill? He was born to put the ball in the back of the net. He just has a nose for the goal, his touch, his speed, his awareness and how he sees the game,” Land O’ Lakes boys soccer head coach Billy Jeremias said.

    The Fighting Gators lost a heartbreaker in the district finals last year, which put a chip on their shoulders.

    “After that loss it just hurt, so I was out training every day going to the fields over the summer just like wanting to improve myself and score goals,” Carman said.

    He’s done plenty of that this season, ranking top 10 in the state of Florida and third in Class 6A with 27 goals at the point of this story being published. Carman said he was happy to be up there on that list, but it wasn’t good enough for him.

    “Yeah sometimes I look at that but then I’m like ‘I want No. 1, I want to be the best player in the state best player in the nation’ so I want to get more goals,” Carman said.

    So what did he do 20 minutes into the game? He did what he does best, scoring a goal to lead his team to a 4-0 win.

    Hard to dream of a better senior night, playing the game that he loves.

    “I couldn’t play anything else, this is the sport that I love and I’ll play it until I can’t anymore,” Carman said.

    He will keep on playing into the playoffs as the Fighting Gators look to capture a state title.

    [ad_2]

    Michael Epps

    Source link

  • Road back to title contention was long for UM, but it has finally broken through

    [ad_1]

    CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Miami safety Jakobe Thomas enjoyed seeing the Hurricanes at their worst.

    He was with Middle Tennessee State in 2022 when the Blue Raiders — four-touchdown underdogs that day — came into Hard Rock Stadium and used big play after big play to beat Miami 45-31, part of the Hurricanes’ spiral to a 5-7 season in Mario Cristobal’s first year back at his alma mater.

    And it wasn’t like that MTSU team was some juggernaut, either. It went 0-3 in its next three games, losing by a combined 60 points. But it had no trouble with Miami.

    That was then.

    Miami’s resurrection from that bad day and a lot of others over the last 20 years — a period during which the Hurricanes have had six coaches, three other interim coaches, 17 seasons that didn’t include a bowl win, countless headaches and zero Atlantic Coast Conference championships — is just about complete. The Hurricanes (13-2, No. 10 College Football Playoff) play for the national championship on Monday night against Indiana (15-0, No. 1 CFP) at that same Hard Rock Stadium that was practically empty at the end of MTSU’s win four years ago.

    What You Need To Know

    • Miami will play Indiana in the College Football Playoff championship game on Monday

    • Over a 20-year period, the Hurricanes have had six coaches, three interim coaches and 17 seasons that didn’t include a bowl win

    • Under coach Mario Cristobal, Miami has restored its accountability and much success

    • The method was to outwork everyone, make honesty and transparency fundamental principles, hire top people and win some recruiting battles

    “It’s completely different,” said Thomas, who transferred to Tennessee for 2024 before coming to Miami for his final college season. “The Miami team we played back in ’22 was not this team now. I think coach Cristobal changed the culture around this place.”

    Make no mistake: Swagger is still a thing at Miami. These Hurricanes are brash and aggressive and tackle hard and play harder. Cristobal’s intensity is constant. Same goes for his staff. But there’s a balance now as well, a demand for accountability and carrying yourself the right way at all times.

    Some examples — wide receiver Malachi Toney, the best freshman in America this season, gave away turkeys at Thanksgiving; star defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. organized a toy drive at Christmas and made a $5,000 donation to the elementary school he attended years ago; and receiver CJ Daniels conducted an event to raise awareness of epilepsy, something that has touched his family.

    Ever since Cristobal came back to Miami, the team has broken two records each year: one for fall-semester grade-point average, then one for spring-semester GPA.

    “We have good people,” Cristobal said. “No, we have great people. It starts there. Surround yourself with great people, like-minded people and see what happens.”

    Cristobal didn’t use some unheard-of, wacky formula to bring Miami back to the national title picture. It was really quite simple: outwork everyone, make honesty and transparency fundamental principles of the program, hire the best people and fight like hell to win recruiting battles — nationally, of course, but also the ones waged in the Hurricanes’ talent-rich backyard, which sends tons of kids to the highest levels of college football every year.

    Landing Bain — a Miami guy who stayed home for college and who should be a sure-fire first-round NFL draft pick — in 2022 was a huge get. Cristobal was on a plane when Bain called him to commit. He threw his phone across the plane when he heard the words. Luckily, it was a private plane. The phone didn’t hit anyone.

    “We’re used to winning, and that’s what we’re going to bring back to Miami,” Bain said in 2022 when he announced his college choice. “They need help bad. They need help right now, and I’m willing to come in right now and make a change.”

    Changes were made.

    After that 5-7 first season, Miami went 7-6 in 2023. Better, but nowhere near good enough. In 2024, the Hurricanes started 9-0, then lost three of their last four games. Better again, but still not good enough.

    So, Cristobal hired defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman away from Minnesota to shore up that side of the ball. Carson Beck signed and took over for No. 1 draft pick Cam Ward at quarterback. Miami kept landing key pieces in the transfer portal — Thomas, Keionte Scott and Mohamed Toure are some who’ll play big roles on defense Monday night, while Keelan Marion, James Brockermeyer, Marty Brown, Daniels and Beck are just a few of the names who’ll be on the offensive side.

    “It was just getting the brotherhood right,” said linebacker Wesley Bissainthe, who played for Miami in that loss to MTSU. “I feel like we’re all in there. Every person in that locker room is playing for each other. That’s what it looks like when we’re out there. No one is just playing for themselves. The brotherhood, I feel like it’s one of the most important things in a team’s culture. You’ve got to play for the person beside of you.”

    Miami has put together back-to-back seasons of double-digit win totals. It had four consecutive 10-or-more-win seasons from 2000 through 2003, then exactly one such season from 2004 through 2023. It will have back-to-back season-ending appearances in the AP Top 25 for just the second time since 2005. Win or lose on Monday, Cristobal will inevitably say more work needs to be done.

    But the dark days at Miami, finally, seem to be over.

    “A care factor that’s through the roof and a die-hard belief in the University of Miami, bleeding orange and green through all of us, I think that’s what has really forged our progress forward as we continue to try to get better,” Cristobal said. “And we certainly have a long ways to go.”

    [ad_2]

    Associated Press

    Source link

  • Miami beats Ole Miss 31-27 in Fiesta Bowl

    [ad_1]

    GLENDALE, Ariz. — Carson Beck scrambled for a 3-yard touchdown with 18 seconds left, and Miami will head back home for a shot at its first national championship since 2001 after beating Mississippi 31-27 in an exhilarating College Football Playoff semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday night.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Miami Hurricanes have advanced to the College Football Playoff championship game

    • Miami defeated Mississippi 31-27 in a CFP semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl

    • Carson Beck put the Hurricanes ahead with a 3-yard touchdown run with 18 seconds left

    • Miami will play the winner of Friday’s other CFP semifinal between Indiana and Oregon at the Peach Bowl

    The 10th-ranked Hurricanes (13-2) had their vaunted defense picked apart by the sixth-ranked Rebels (13-2) in a wild fourth quarter, falling into a 27-24 hole after Trinidad Chambliss threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Dae’Quan Wright with 3 minutes, 13 seconds left.

    Beck, who won a national title as a backup at Georgia, kept the Hurricanes calm amid the storm, leading them down the field for the winning score — and a shot at a national title on their home field at Hard Rock Stadium on Jan. 19. Beck is 37-5 as a starter, including two seasons at Georgia.

    The sixth-seeded Rebels lost their coach before the playoffs, but not their cool.

    If anything, Lane Kiffin’s decision to bolt for LSU seemed to harden Ole Miss’ resolve, pushing the Rebels to the best season in school history — and within a game of their first national championship game.

    Ole Miss kept Miami within reach when its offense labored and took a 19-17 lead on Lucas Carneiro’s fourth field goal, from 21 yards.

    Malachi Toney, the hero of Miami’s opening CFP win over Texas A&M, turned a screen pass into a 36-yard touchdown that put Miami up 24-19.

    Chambliss’ TD pass to Wright put the Rebels back on top, but their improbable run came to an end when the defense couldn’t hold the Hurricanes.

    But what a run it was.

    With Pete Golding calling the shots after being promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach, and most of the assistants sticking around, the Rebels blew out Tulane to open the playoff and took down mighty Georgia in the CFP quarterfinals.

    They faced a different kind of storm in the Hurricanes.

    Miami has rekindled memories o.f its 2001 national championship team behind a defense that went from porous to nearly impenetrable in its first season under coordinator Corey Hetherman.

    The Hurricanes walled up early in the Fiesta Bowl, holding Ole Miss to minus-1 yard.

    One play revved up the Rebels and their rowdy fans.

    Kewan Lacy, the nation’s third-leading rusher, burst through a hole up the middle for a 73-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter — the longest run allowed by Miami’s defense since 2018.

    The Hurricanes seemed content to grind away at the Rebels in small chunks offensively, setting up CharMar Brown’s 4-yard touchdown run and a field goal.

    Miami unlocked the deep game just before halftime, taking advantage of a busted coverage for a 52-yard touchdown pass from Beck to Keelan Marion.

    [ad_2]

    Associated Press

    Source link

  • Ole Miss, Miami to play for spot in FBS national championship game

    [ad_1]

    GLENDALE, Ariz. — Mississippi has kept winning despite its coach bolting for another program.

    Miami has rekindled the glory days of its 2001 national championship with a ferocious defense and steady quarterback.

    One will play for a national championship after Thursday night’s Fiesta Bowl, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET.

    What You Need To Know

    • Miami and Ole Miss will play in the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday night for a spot in the CFB championship

    • The Hurricanes are having their best season since they won the 2001 national championship

    • The Rebels have continued their successful season even after Lane Kiffin left to coach LSU after the regular season

    • The outcome could be determined by quarterbacks Carson Beck of UM and Trinidad Chambliss of Ole Miss

    Ole Miss (13-1) spent the last half of the regular season wondering if coach Lane Kiffin would stick around or leave for LSU. Once the coach did head out, the sixth-seeded Rebels kept winning to reach the College Football Playoff semifinals.

    Defensive coordinator Pete Golding took over as coach, and many of the assistants expected to join Kiffin in Baton Rouge stuck around to see the Rebels through the rest of the playoffs. Ole Miss and its high-scoring offense blew out Tulane in its opening CFP game and then outlasted mighty Georgia 39-34.

    Miami (12-2) is in the midst of its best run since winning the 2001 national title.

    The 10th-seeded Hurricanes have done it with a defense that went from mediocrity to one of the stingiest in the FBS under first-year coordinator Corey Hetherman. Miami gave up its fewest points since the 2001 national championship team — fourth nationally at 13.07 per game. The Hurricanes have been even stingier in the CFP, holding Texas A&M and Ohio State to a combined 17 points.

    Like most big games, the Fiesta Bowl will likely come down to which quarterback plays best.

    Miami’s Carson Beck is a proven winner, earning a national championship as a backup at Georgia before two stellar seasons as the starter. He’s been a perfect fit since transferring to Miami, throwing for 3,313 yards and 27 touchdowns on 74% passing with 10 interceptions.

    Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss took a circuitous route to the playoffs.

    With limited options out of high school, the dual-threat quarterback opted to play at Ferris State, leading the Bulldogs to a Division II championship last season. Chambliss has been superb since taking over as starter three games into this season, racking up 4,180 total yards and 29 touchdowns.

    [ad_2]

    Associated Press

    Source link

  • Florida, UCF land new quarterbacks in portal; former USF star heads to Auburn

    [ad_1]

    FLORIDA — Florida and Auburn have new quarterbacks to pair with new head coaches, and UCF has added a passer from the 2025-26 College Football Playoff for 2026.

    What You Need To Know

    • Alonza Barnett III, who led James Madison to the College Football Playoff, will play for UCF coach Scott Frost in 2026

    • Former Georgia Tech quarterback Aaron Philo is transferring to Florida

    • Gators running back Jaden Baugh also has signed a new contract to stay with Florida

    • Ex-USF quarterback Byrum Brown will join former Bulls coach Alex Golesh at Auburn next season

    Alonza Barnett III, who led James Madison into the 2025-26 College Football Playoff and was named Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, will join Scott Frost’s Knights team in 2026. Barnett threw for 2,806 yards with 23 passing touchdowns while adding 589 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground and led the Dukes to the Sun Belt championship this past season. Through his redshirt junior season, he notched 5,433 career passing yards with 49 touchdowns and rushed for 1,075 yards and 23 touchdowns.

    UCF’s starting quarterback for most of last season, Tayven Jackson, entered the transfer portal.

    Georgia Tech’s Aaron Philo announced his commitment to the Gators on Tuesday and will follow former Yellow Jackets offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner from Atlanta to Gainesville. Philo is expected to compete with redshirt freshman Tramell Jones Jr. for the starting job to replace departed DJ Lagway. Philo, a 6-foot-2, 220-pound junior, worked with Faulkner the past two seasons, serving as backup to Haynes King and appearing in eight games.

    The Gators got more good news from the transfer portal when they won a bidding war with Texas for running back Jadan Baugh, who rushed for 1,170 yards and caught 33 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns at Florida last season. Other high-profile players returning to the Gators include top tackler Myles Graham, leading receiver Vernell Brown III and wide receiver Dallas Wilson.

    Philo joins former Tech teammate Bailey Stockton, a receiver and brother of Georgia quarterback Gunnar Stockton, and Penn State offensive lineman TJ Shanahan as key guys to pick Florida since the transfer portal opened Friday. The Gators are rebuilding under new coach Jon Sumrall.

    South Florida’s Byrum Brown, meanwhile, announced he is following former Bulls coach Alex Golesh to Auburn.

    Brown reposted on his Instagram account an On3 post announcing that the quarterback is making the move. Brown has thrown for 7,690 yards and 61 touchdowns while also rushing for 2,265 yards and 31 scores over the last four seasons at South Florida. 

    He completed 66.3% of his passes for 3,158 yards with 28 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season. He also rushed for 1,008 yards and 14 touchdowns on 175 carries while helping South Florida go 9-3 in the regular season.

    At UCF, other key players who are staying with the Knights are defensive tackles Horace Lockett Jr., who had entered the transfer portal, and RJ Jackson and defensive backs Braeden Marshall and Antione Jackson.

    In addition to Barnett, the transfer portal so far has brought the Knights running back Landen Chambers from Central Arkansas; offensive lineman Cooper Terpstra from Michigan State; offensive lineman Brady Wayburn from UConn, offensive lineman Tyler Gibson from Charlotte; offensive lineman Henry Tabansi from Buffalo; linebacker Tackett Curtis from Wisconsin; and defensive backs Kahmel Johnson from Wayne State and Caleb Flagg from Missouri.

    [ad_2]

    Spectrum Sports Staff, Associated Press

    Source link

  • Javon Bennett scores 25 in Dayton’s 97-69 win over Florida State

    [ad_1]

    DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Javon Bennett scored 25 points, and De’Shayne Montgomery added 20 in Dayton’s 97-69 win over Florida State on Tuesday night.

    Bennett shot 5 of 14 from the field and a perfect 12 for 12 from the free-throw line. Jordan Derkack added 13 points, Keonte Jones added 11 and Amaël L’Etang and Malcolm Thomas both scored 10. Dayton (9-3) has now won 33 straight home games against non-conference opponents.

    Florida State (5-6) found heavy foul trouble in the second half, with five players fouling out. The Flyers shot 40 of 47 (85%) from the free-throw line.

    Dayton headed into the locker room up 42-31 and continued strong into the second half with an 11-3 run. The Flyers scored 24 points in the second half on free throws alone.

    Kobe McGee scored 15 points for the Seminoles. Lajae Jones added 14, and Martin Somerville scored 11. All three players fouled out. Florida State’s losing streak now extends to five straight games.

    Up next

    The Flyers will host Liberty on Saturday, Dec. 20.

    Florida State will host Mississippi Valley State on Friday, Dec. 19.

    ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

    [ad_2]

    Associated Press

    Source link

  • Gators’ quarterback Lagway says he’s entering transfer portal

    [ad_1]

    FLORIDA — University of Florida quarterback DJ Lagway is leaving the program and entering the transfer portal, he announced Monday on his Instagram account.

    That means the Gators will enter next season with a new starting quarterback and a new head coach.

    In his post, Lagway thanked his family, teammates, coaching staff, Florida’s athletic trainers and other members of the university community for their support.

    “I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have been part of such an incredible program here at the University of Florida,” Lagway said in his post.

    Florida hired Jon Sumrall from Tulane as head coach late last month to replace Billy Napier, who they fired midseason.

    Lagway spent two seasons at Florida, the highest profile recruit of Napier’s coaching stint at Florida.

    In Lagway’s 24 regular-season games as the Gators’ quarterback, Florida went 12-13 and in 2024 went to the Gasparilla Bowl, where Florida defeated Tulane and he was named MVP. He completed 328 of 529 pass attempts for 4,179 yards, 28 touchdown passes, and he threw 23 interceptions. He also carried the football 122 times for 237 yards and one touchdown.

    This past season, the oft-injured Lagway completed 63% of his passes this season for 2,264 yards, with 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He also ran for 136 yards and a score. He missed most of the offseason program while recovering from core-muscle surgery, a sore throwing arm and a strained calf. He also missed time in 2024 with a hamstring injury.

    He looked like a potential star as a freshman at Florida, going 6-1 as a starter. But he seemed out of sorts as a sophomore — evidenced by sloppy mechanics and a clear lack of confidence in the pocket.

    Lagway also was due to make more than $3 million in 2026 at Florida and made millions already through name, image and likeness deals with Gatorade, Jordan Brand, Mercedes-Benz, Lamborghini Orlando, T-Mobile, Beats by Dre, Chipotle and others.

    After Lagway made the announcement, newly hired LSU coach Lane Kiffin retweeted a link to a news story about Lagway announcing his decision. When Florida sought a replacement for Napier, it reportedly showed strong interest in hiring Kiffin before he accepted an offer for the Tigers’ job.

    The transfer portal opens Jan. 2.

    The Associated Press contributed to this report.

    [ad_2]

    Spectrum Sports Staff

    Source link

  • USF volleyball coach has the Bulls back in a familiar place

    [ad_1]

    TAMPA, Fla. — When you snap a two-decades old streak, you get to play dodgeball.

    This is what the USF volleyball team did in preparation for their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 23 years.

    What You Need To Know

    •  The USF Bulls volleyball team is back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 23 years

    •  The last time they were in the tournament, head coach Jolene Shepardson was on the team

    •  The Bulls play the defending national champions Penn State in the opening round on Friday at 5:30 p.m. in Austin, Texas on ESPN+


    The Bulls will face off against defending national champs Penn State in the opening round of the tournament. So of course, in addition to dodgeball time, there was a regular practice. USF knows they are the underdogs, but they are embracing the moment.

    “Day one, I’ve been talking about this and just working through all those speed bumps along the way,” head coach Jolene Shepardson said. “You have know idea how good it feels to be in this situation.”

    Coach Shepardson actually knows how it feels. The last time USF advanced to the NCAA Tournament, she was on the team, helping them advance to the second round in 2002. She’s a home-grown talent who bleeds green and gold. Before she got to USF, Shepardson helped Tampa Prep win back-to-back state titles in 1996 and 97. Now, she’s imparting her wisdom on what it takes to bring home a championship.

    “I honestly can remember pretty freshly in my mind when I played in the first round and second round of NCAA’s as a senior year,” she said. “So, it’s awesome. Very overwhelmed with just the opportunity to say dancing in December.”

    Led by Shepardson, these Bulls have been built to dance. Last season, they won the American Athletic Conference regular season title, their first conference title in 22 years. And this season, they went on a 12-4 conference schedule tear to help them earn an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament. Having a coach who’s been there, done that, has been a big boost.

    “She knows a lot. She’s been here. She’s been in our place,” senior outside hitter Maria Clara Andrade said. “So that just makes it easier for us to go through it. She’s been to the tournament, so it’s really nice to be guided by someone really knows what we’re going through right now.”

    [ad_2]

    Katherine Smith

    Source link

  • Florida’s colleges begin restocking football rosters with early signings

    [ad_1]

    FLORIDA — College football programs throughout Florida announced written commitments for 2026 on Wednesday, the first of the three-day early signing period for high school players.

    On his first early signing day since returning to UCF, coach Scott Frost announced 13 commitments, including two quarterbacks, two running backs and six in-state prospects.

    “Today went off without a hitch. I really like the group that we got. It was a no-drama day. Everything was in and done early,” Frost said. “Recruiting high school kids is a really important way to build the foundation of your team and get guys in the program who can help now or be developed into guys that you hope you can keep for a long time.  But it’s not the only way to build and improve a team anymore.”

    Frost said investing in high school players, from a money standpoint, means they need to have a good chance of playing.

    “I want to make sure we have a team that has the best chance possible to compete next year,” Frost said.

    Last year, UCF had to bring in 60-70 new players after the graduation of many seniors and the departure of then-coach Gus Malzahn.

    Frost said that he hopes to bring back a lot of players who they want to build around.

    “That’s going to mean that we can fill in holes rather than build an entire team,” he said. “That’s definitely a better position to be approaching this from.”

    Frost said he and his staff looked at high school players who have the traits that will help them develop soon into players who will improve the team.

    “There’s a lot of size and length,” Frost said. “I think we can get bigger. We certainly need to get a little tougher as a football team. But I really like the size and length of a lot of these guys. I like the elite speed of a lot of guys. And overall, I just like the upside of the class.”

    He said he and his staff are in a better position to know the players already on the roster and the holes that need to be filled.

    Frost said the program should be in an even better recruiting position next season. He said it takes more than a year to recruit a player and he got back to UCF so late last year that it put the team behind in recruiting for this year’s class.

    He said he expects to leave a couple positions open for the late signing period to maybe add some quality players who fell through cracks.

    • Running back Kaj Baker out of Miami and Somerset Academy
    • Quarterback Dante Carr out of Minersville (Pa.) High
    • Offensive lineman Kasiyah Charlton out of Brunswick (Ga.) High
    • Tight end Brooks Hall out of Platte County (Mo.) High
    • Linebacker Preston Hall out of Missouri City, Texas and Ridge Point High
    • Edge rusher Alhassan Iddrissu out of Oakdale, Conn., and St. Thomas More High
    • Defensive back Elijah Keys out of Jacksonville Duncan U. Fletcher High
    • Running back Arthur Lewis IV out of Palatka Bartram Trail High
    • Quarterback Rocco Marriott out of Platte County (Mo.) High
    • Defensive tackle Noah Mercer out of Key West High
    • Linebacker Matthew Occhipinti out of Saddle Brook, N.J., and Don Bosco Prep
    • Defensive back Amarion Queen out of Martin County High
    • Offensive lineman Amahn Williams out of Randolph, Mass., and Tabor Academy

    While Frost has been busy recruiting, he said he has been looking for an offensive line coach, too. Coach Shawn Clark died early in the season. Frost said he doesn’t expect to make any other changes to his staff.

    USF Bulls

    The biggest news out of USF on Wednesday was the hiring of former Ohio State offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Brian Hartline as their new head coach. He replaces Alex Golesh, who was hired as Auburn’s coach after the regular season.

    That did not slow recruiting at USF, which announced 17 players made official commitments on early signing day. Fourteen of those players are from Florida high schools. The Bulls loaded up in the defensive backfield, with four cornerbacks and two safeties. They also signed four defensive linemen.

    • Linebacker Lorenzo Barnes from Marianna
    • Running back Jayson Franklin out of Fayetteville, N.C.      
    • Defensive lineman Iverson Garcia-Ponce out of Knoxville, Tenn.
    • Defensive end Demetrius Geathers Jr. out of Deerfield Beach
    • Kicker Gaston Gramatica from Tampa
    • Offensive lineman Jordan Harrison out of Clinton, Md.
    • Wide receiver Gabe Legrand out of Lake Wales
    • Defensive lineman Sager Quinn out of Cahutta, Ga.
    • Defensive end Peter Ramil out of Binghamton, N.Y.
    • Wide receiver Dmari Roberts out of St. Petersburg
    • Cornerback Derrick Nichols III out of Miami
    • Linebacker Dennis King III out of Daytona Beach
    • Safety CJ Cresser out of Brooksville
    • Cornerback Ja’Kyri Watson out of Kissimmee
    • Cornerback Masiyah Limehouse out of Plant City
    • Cornerback Keyshaun Birks out of St. Petersburg, Fla.

    Florida Gators

    The University of Florida, which earlier this week announced it had hired Jon Sumrall to replace Billy Napier as coach, announced the signings of 16 high school players, including six offensive linemen and two edge rushers. All but seven signees are from Florida.

    • Cornerback CJ Bronaugh out of Orlando Windermere
    • Offensive lineman Corey Brown out of Gainesville and Jones
    • Offensive lineman Chancellor Campbell out of St. Petersburgh Lakewood
    • Offensive lineman G’Nivre out of Ocala and IMG Academy
    • Offensive lineman Tyler Chukuyem out of Douglasville, Ga., and South Paulding High
    • Wide receiver Marquez “Quez” Daniel out of Tuskegee, Ala., and Booker T. Washington High
    • Edge rusher KJ Ford out of Dallas, Texas Duncanville High
    • Offensive lineman Desmond Green out of Alvin, S.C., and Timberland High
    • Quarterback Will Griffin out of Treasure Island and Tampa Jesuit
    • Wide receiver Davian Groce out of Frisco, Texas Lone Star High
    • Defensive lineman Kendall “KG” Guervil out of Fort Myers High
    • Tight end Heze Kent out of Brunswick (Ga.) High
    • Offensive lineman Javarii Luckas out of Belle Glade Glades Central
    • Edge rusher Jareylan “Reylan” McCoy out of Tupelo, Miss., High
    • Inside linebacker Malik Morris out of Lakeland High           
    • Wide receiver Justin Williams out of Gainesville Buchholz  

    Florida State Seminoles

    Florida State signed the largest class of the state programs that Spectrum Sports regularly follows — 30 players, including some from NFL Academy and junior colleges. The class, which has 14 from Florida schools, includes nine defensive linemen, seven offensive linemen and five wide receivers.

    • Defensive lineman Jalen Anderson out of Slidell, La., High School and Pearl River Community College in Mississippi
    • Defensive back Tre Bell III out of Westview, Fla., and Barbara Goleman Senior High
    • Wide receiver Brandon Bennett out of Miramar American Heritage School
    • Defensive lineman Wihtley Cadeau out of Atlanta and Booker T. Washington High
    • Defensive lineman Chris Carbin out of Powder Springs, Ga., and Hillgrove High
    • Wide receiver Devin Carter out of Evans, Ga., and Douglas County High
    • Defensive back Jordan Crutchfield out of Fort Pierce and Vero Beach High
    • Defensive lineman Judah Daniels out of Lehigh Acres and Fort Myers High School
    • Tight end Corbyn Fordham out of Ponte Vedra Beach and The Bolles School
    • Offensive lineman Luke Francis Jr., out of the NFL Academy in London, United Kingdom
    • Linebacker Daylen Green out of Bainbridge, Ga., and Gadsden County High
    • Offensive lineman Jakobe Green out of Quincy, Fla., and Gadsden County High
    • Offensive lineman Nikau Hepi out of Auckland, New Zealand and the NFL Academy
    • Offensive lineman Mike Ionata out of Tarpon Springs and Calvary Christian High
    • Defensive back Chuck Kennon out of Bradenton and Booker High
    • Linebacker Noah Lavallee out of Marietta, Ga., and Walton High School
    • Defensive lineman Damaad Lewis out of Charlotte N.C., Myers Park High School
    • Linebacker Karon Maycock out of Miami Central High School
    • Offensive lineman Steven Moore out of Memphis, Tenn., Barlett High School and Garden City (Kan.) Community College
    • Quarterback Jaden O’Neal out of Mustang, Okla., High School
    • Offensive lineman Steven Pickard Jr. out of Charleston, S.C. and IMG Academy
    • Defensive lineman Jaemin Pinckney out of Dorchester, S.C., Woodland High
    • Defensive lineman Earnest Rankins out of Scottsdale, Ga., and Southwest DeKalb High
    • Running back Amari Thomas out of Marianna and Blountstown High
    • Tight end Xavier Tiller out of Atlanta and Langston Hughes High
    • Wide receiver E.J. White out of Vero Beach High
    • Defensive lineman Franklin Whitley out Greenville (S.C.) Senior High
    • Wide receiver Darryon Williams out of Tampa Plant High
    • Linebacker Izayia Williams out of Tavares High School
    • Wide receiver Jonah Winston out of Hoover (Ala.) High School

     

    [ad_2]

    Spectrum Sports Staff

    Source link

  • ‘The standard here is championships. That’s why I came,’ new Florida coach says

    [ad_1]

    GAINESVILLE, Fla. — New University of Florida football coach Jon Sumrall made one thing clear at his introductory news conference — he is at Florida to win and to win championships.

    “The standard here is championships. That’s why I came,” Sumrall said. “I’m built for this job. I was made for this job. Winners win. I’m a winner. We’re going to win.”

    What You Need To Know

    • The Gators introduced Jon Sumrall of Tulane as their new football coach Monday

    • He will come to Gainesville full time after the Green Wave complete the 2025 college football postseason

    • Sumrall finalized a six-year, $44.7 million contract that comes with incentives, according to AP

    • “The standard here is championships. That’s why I came,” Sumrall said.

    Sumrall went on to explain how the team will reach those lofty goals and pointed out that he plans for the Gators to play differently than where he has coached in the past.

    “We’re going to play with an edge, a blue-collar mindset and a chip on our shoulder,” Sumrall said.”We will be tough. We will have grit. We will not be outworked. We will play with physicality.”

    The team will be built on player strengths.

    “When I think of the Gators, I think of aggressive. I think of explosive,” Sumrall said. I think about mixing tempos, using it to your advantage and dictating the game to the opponent.”

    In a nod to the offenses of former Gators championship-winning coaches Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer, who both attended the news conference, Sumrall said, “I think about stretching the field and threatening every blade of grass.”

    The offensive line, he said, must play with a nasty demeanor.

    Sumrall, who is coming to Florida from Tulane, won’t completely make the transition until after the college football postseason is complete. He will coach the Green Wave against North Texas in the American Conference Championship Game on Friday, and maybe after that, if Tulane is selected for the College Football Playoff.

    But he made it clear he already has begun working to build the 2026 Gators football program.

    Roster building starts with the current team, he said, and he needs the players at Florida now to stay. He said he is making it his first recruiting effort with them and held video conferences with many of those players Sunday night.

    With early signing day coming up Wednesday, Sumrall said he also has spoken with some players who already have verbally committed to the Gators and admires the high character of that class.

    Speaking about both groups, Sumrall asked them to give him an opportunity.

    “I will fight to keep all of them,” he said. “…I can’t wait to coach you. I would love to coach you.”

    He said he expects to recruit many players from within the state.

    “I believe the lifeblood of your program is recruiting good high school players, and in Florida, elite, high school football players,” Sumrall said.

    But as a national program, he acknowledged that they will look throughout the country to get the most elite players.

    Sumrall said he also will use the transfer portal, but mostly as a way to supplement the roster or fill holes on the team.

    He said he and his staff are “going to run a player-driven program. My job here is to serve and develop the players….Those players are going to get everything I got to help them become their best.”

    Florida Athletic Director Scott Strickland said he wanted a winner, and that’s Sumrall. He has the fifth-highest win-percentage among active Football Bowl Series coaches, and is 42-11 in four seasons as coach at Troy and Tulane. He reached the conference championship game each of those four years.

    Sumrall finalized a six-year, $44.7 million contract that comes with incentives, according to a person familiar with the search. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because financial details were not released. The deal averages $7.45 million annually.

    Sumrall thanked the University of Florida community for the opportunity as well as Spurrier, Meyer and some current players who turned out for their support.

    “It’s great to be a Florida Gator. I am honored and humbled to be the head coach at the University of Florida,” Sumrall said.

    The Gators haven’t had a top-five offense in the Southeastern Conference since 2020-21. 

    To find the last time they had a top 10 offense in the nation, you have to go back to 2009.

    Sumrall will look to change that.

    He wasn’t the first choice of many Gators, who had hoped to hire Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin. But Kiffin selected LSU over Florida.

    At the opening of the news conference, Sumrall said he and Kiffin had discussed their job searches.

    “Lane Kiffin and I have both been going through the same thing. And we talked a lot, and we both were in agreement that I was the right man for this job,” Sumrall said.

    He also said his entire family is all in on their support for Florida.

    “We had options. My wife and I sat down, and we chose Florida,” Sumrall said. “Florida had to choose us first, but we chose it back.”

    Sumrall replaces Billy Napier, who was fired Oct. 19, after a 3-4 start to this season and a 22-23 record overall with the Gators. Napier was hired from Louisiana, where he went 40-12 over four seasons. Billy Gonzales took over as interim coach at Florida to finish out the Gators’ season.

    During Napier’s last season in particular, he took a lot of public criticism. Sumrall said that the support of the community and fan base is vital to building a championship program.

    “We can only maximize our potential with your full support. It takes all of us working together to win championships,” Sumrall said. “I love, love, love, your passion and your enthusiasm. …That’s part of what attracted me here.”

    Strickland also signed General Manager Dave Caldwell, who won a Super Bowl during his five seasons with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles. He also spent eight years (2013-20) with the Jacksonville Jaguars and built a roster that made the AFC title game.

    Caldwell is expected to help manage Florida’s salary cap and evaluate college talent as demands on coaches have expanded with the burgeoning transfer portal and name, image and likeness payments.

    Sumrall said is constantly recruiting, but “My No. 1 job is to coach the team. While future Gators matter to me, current players matter more.”

    The Associated Press contributed to this report.

    [ad_2]

    Brandon Green, Spectrum Sports Staff

    Source link