Kyle Pitts
South Carolina tight end Jaheim Bell (0) pushes off Georgia State safety Antavious Lane (34) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr.)
SEC full of tight-end talent, led by Bell, Bowers, Trigg

By Mark Long Sep. 14, 2022 11:27 AM EDT

Florida running back Dameon Pierce, center, scores a touchdown past the Alabama defense including linebacker Henry To'oTo'o (10) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
No. 11 Florida finds success despite dumping pass-happy ways

By Mark Long Sep. 21, 2021 02:41 PM EDT

Alabama wide receiver John Metchie III (8) hurdles past Florida defensive players cornerback Kaiir Elam (5), linebacker Ty'Ron Hopper and safety Trey Dean III during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
AP Top 25 Takeaways: Not-so-super superpowers show cracks

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 18, 2021 10:02 PM EDT

Florida safety Trey Dean III, right, is called for pass interference as he hits Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Young holds up, No. 1 Alabama holds off No. 11 Florida 31-29

By Mark Long Sep. 18, 2021 07:19 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 30, 2020, file photo, Florida quarterback Emory Jones (5) throws a pass in the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Arlington, Texas. Jones first landed on Dan Mullen’s recruiting radar seven years ago. Jones was a high school freshman in LaGrange, Ga., and Mullen was scouring the country for another spread quarterback at Mississippi State. They bonded quickly, and when Mullen took over in Gainesville three years later, he asked Jones to join him. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins, File)
No. 13 Florida opens season at Swamp against in-state FAU

By The Associated Press Sep. 02, 2021 03:45 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 16, 2018, file photo, Florida defensive coordinator Todd Grantham works with some of the defense during NCAA college football practice in Gainesville, Fla. The 13th-ranked Gators get a chance to show how much they’ve improved. Florida opens the season Saturday night against Florida Atlantic. (Brad McClenny/Ocala Star-Banner via AP)
No. 13 Florida counting on improved defense in opener vs FAU

By Mark Long Sep. 02, 2021 12:43 PM EDT

FILE - In this April 17, 2021, file photo, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart talks to his players before the team's spring NCAA college football game in Athens, Ga. Smart, the coach of No. 5 Georgia, faces No. 3 Clemson in the season-opener in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Alabama-Miami, Georgia-Clemson highlight SEC opening week

By Pete Iacobelli Sep. 02, 2021 10:47 AM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 30, 2020, file photo, Florida quarterback Emory Jones (5) throws a pass in the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Arlington, Texas. Jones first landed on Dan Mullen’s recruiting radar seven years ago. Jones was a high school freshman in LaGrange, Ga., and Mullen was scouring the country for another spread quarterback at Mississippi State. They bonded quickly, and when Mullen took over in Gainesville three years later, he asked Jones to join him. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins, File)
Florida QB Emory Jones gets his chance after waiting 3 years

By Mark Long Aug. 30, 2021 04:49 PM EDT

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) rolls out on a passing drill during the NCAA college football team's practice Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Top SEC contenders breaking in new-ish quarterbacks

By John Zenor Aug. 25, 2021 01:07 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) catches a ball during NFL football practice on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Atlanta, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Tough task for No. 13 Florida: replacing Pitts, Toney, Trask

By Mark Long Aug. 17, 2021 10:10 AM EDT

Florida head coach Dan Mullen speaks to reporters during the NCAA college football Southeastern Conference Media Days Monday, July 19, 2021, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Mullen, Gators adapting to life with new QB, playmakers

By John Zenor Jul. 19, 2021 05:46 PM EDT

FILE - Florida Gators tight end Kyle Pitts (84) scores a touchdown during an NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Gainesville, Fla., in this Nov. 28, 2020, file photo. Kyle Pitts is arguably the most dynamic playmaker in the NFL draft, a versatile tight end who will try to impress league executives in person during Florida's pro day Wednesday, March 31, 2021. (Brad McClenny/The Gainesville Sun via AP, File)
UCF at South Florida 11/27/2020

Mar. 31, 2021 05:51 PM EDT

FILE - Florida Gators tight end Kyle Pitts (84) scores a touchdown during an NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Gainesville, Fla., in this Nov. 28, 2020, file photo. Kyle Pitts is arguably the most dynamic playmaker in the NFL draft, a versatile tight end who will try to impress league executives in person during Florida's pro day Wednesday, March 31, 2021. (Brad McClenny/The Gainesville Sun via AP, File)
Pitts puts on show at Florida's pro day for NFL evaluators

By Mark Long Mar. 31, 2021 05:49 PM EDT

File-This Nov. 21, 2020, file photo shows LSU tight end Arik Gilbert against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game in Fayetteville, Ark. Florida landed one of the country’s most coveted transfers Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021, a likely replacement for star tight end Kyle Pitts. Former LSU standout Gilbert committed to the Gators on Twitter, saying “this is the best situation for me and I’m excited to join the family.” (AP Photo/Michael Woods, File)
Former LSU TE Arik Gilbert chooses Florida as landing spot

By Mark Long Jan. 31, 2021 09:00 PM EST

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones passes against Ohio State during the second half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Wrapping up 2020, looking to 2021

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 12, 2021 12:29 PM EST

Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) gains yardage after a catch in the first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Notre Dame in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Smith adds Maxwell Award to collection of postseason honors

By Eric Olson Jan. 07, 2021 09:10 PM EST

Florida coach Dan Mullen, center, watches play against Oklahoma during the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Questions rise about Dan Mullen's coaching future at Florida

By Mark Long Jan. 05, 2021 01:46 PM EST

Florida quarterback Kyle Trask walks off the field after throwing a pass that was intercepted by Oklahoma in the end zone during the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Gators not real '20 team in Cotton Bowl loss after opt-outs

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 31, 2020 12:59 AM EST

Oklahoma team members on the sideline celebrate with linebacker Brian Asamoah (24) after Asamoah tackled Florida wide receiver Rick Wells short of the end zone on a fourth-down play in the second half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Gators rattled: No. 8 Oklahoma routs Florida in Cotton Bowl

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 30, 2020 11:47 PM EST

FILE - Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy (15) is sacked by Oklahoma linebacker Nik Bonitto (11) during the second half of the Big 12 Conference championship NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, in this Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, file photo. Bonitto is well aware that the Sooners defense, for all the drastic improvements made over two seasons with its “Speed D” scheme, needs to prove itself outside the Big 12. After winning a sixth conference title in a row, the No. 8 Sooners (8-2) will again end the season in a New Year's Six bowl game against a high-powered SEC offense. This time they face national passing leader No. 10 Florida. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter, File)
Florida-Oklahoma in Cotton Bowl dozen years after title game

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 29, 2020 03:36 PM EST