Marco Wilson
FILE - Florida head coach Billy Napier speaks during an NCAA college football news conference at the Southeastern Conference Media Days, on July 20, 2022, in Atlanta. Napier’s recruiting prowess has been on display the last two months. The team's 2023 class is now ranked in the top 10 by Rivals and 247 Sports. The bump coincides with Florida opening an $85 million facility that should help get the program back on level footing with the Southeastern Conference heavyweights. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Napier has Florida prepared, confident for daunting opener

By Mark Long Aug. 30, 2022 11:51 AM EDT

LSU coach Ed Orgeron looks up at the video board during the first half of the tealm's NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
Anything can, and often does, happen in Florida-LSU rivalry

By Mark Long Oct. 12, 2021 05:13 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 - Florida defensive back Marco Wilson (3) leaves the field after an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn., in this Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, file photo. Wilson’s last two performances in Gainesville ended quite differently. He was reviled after one, revered following the other. The Florida cornerback, who gained notoriety for intentionally tossing an opponent’s shoe in December and costing the Gators a victory, turned in an eye-popping performance at the team’s pro day, Thursday, April 1, 2021, (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Time to heel: Wilson moves on from shoe toss, preps for NFL

By Mark Long Apr. 01, 2021 02:53 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

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)
AP source: Florida fires 2 assistants after defensive fiasco

By Mark Long Jan. 01, 2021 08:19 PM EST

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) gets ready to run a play against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
No. 1 Alabama cruises into SEC title game, Florida stumbles

By John Zenor Dec. 13, 2020 07:17 PM EST

Florida quarterback Kyle Trask (11) dives over the LSU defense for a 1-yard touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Swamp stunner: L-S-Shoe tops No. 6 Florida on 57-yard FG

By Mark Long Dec. 12, 2020 11:09 PM EST

Florida tight end Kyle Pitts (84) celebrates his 56-yard touchdown off a pass from quarterback Kyle Trask during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Kentucky at Florida 11/28/2020

Nov. 28, 2020 12:41 PM EST

Florida linebacker Andrew Chatfield Jr. (10) brings down Vanderbilt quarterback Ken Seals (8) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Florida at Vanderbilt 11/21/2020

Nov. 21, 2020 12:57 PM EST

Florida quarterback Kyle Trask (11) runs past Missouri's Martez Manuel (3) and linebacker Nick Bolton, back left, during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Play of QB Trask gives No. 8 Florida hope vs No. 5 Georgia

By Mark Long Nov. 05, 2020 02:58 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 23, 2019, file photo, Georgia defensive back Richard LeCounte (2) is greeted by fans before an NCAA football game against Texas A&M in Athens, Ga. Just in time for a key SEC East game against No. 8 Florida, No. 5 Georgia has to adjust to a rash of new injuries on defense after a rough weekend capped by safety Richard LeCounte avoiding life-threatening injuries in an accident while riding his motorcycle. (Joshua L. Jones/Athens Banner-Herald via AP, File)
No. 5 Dogs to be without LeCounte, Rochester against Gators

By Charles Odum Nov. 02, 2020 04:56 PM EST

Florida receiver Kadarius Toney (1) celebrates a touchdown against Missouri during an NCAA college football game in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020. (Brad McClenny/The Gainesville Sun via AP)
Toney, Trask shine as No. 10 Florida tops, fights Missouri

By Mark Long Oct. 31, 2020 11:08 PM EDT

Texas A&M place kicker Seth Small (47) reacts with teammates after making the game winning field goal against Florida as time expired of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Florida's defensive debacle could prompt changes before LSU

By Mark Long Oct. 13, 2020 01:41 PM EDT

Florida quarterback Kyle Trask (11) pass down field during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Spiller helps No. 21 A&M top No. 4 Florida 41-38

By Kristie Rieken Oct. 10, 2020 03:59 PM EDT

Florida tight end Kyle Pitts (84) catches a pass as Texas A&M defensive back Jaylon Jones (17) defends during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Florida at Texas A&M 10/10/2020

Oct. 10, 2020 12:49 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2019, file photo, Lane Kiffin responds to reporters questions at a news conference, after being introduced to Mississippi fans as their new NCAA college football head coach at The Pavilion on the campus in Oxford, Miss. Mississippi State's Mike Leach and Mississippi's Lane Kiffin brought big names and offensive pedigrees to the Magnolia State. But they drew huge challenges for their debuts, with the Bulldogs visiting defending national champion and No. 6 LSU and the Rebels hosting No. 5 Florida. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Mullen takes No. 5 Florida, title hopes back to Mississippi

By Mark Long Sep. 24, 2020 09:58 AM EDT

FILE -In this Nov. 2, 2019, file photo, Florida quarterback Kyle Trask throws a pass against Georgia during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Jacksonville, Fla. Isolated from coaches, teammates and friends during the coronavirus pandemic, Kyle Trask found plenty of extra free time this offseason. He reviewed each of his performances from his breakout year, trying to find and fix every flaw in hopes of improving the eighth-ranked Gators’ chances of becoming Southeastern Conference and national championship contenders in 2020. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Media picks Alabama to top Florida in SEC championship game

Sep. 23, 2020 04:04 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, Florida head coach Dan Mullen watches his players warm up before an NCAA college football game against Florida State, in Gainesville, Fla. Mullen is still wary about what lies ahead as Florida prepares to open the season at Ole Miss on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020. “Obviously, all the COVID stuff makes you anxious,” Mullen said. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
No. 5 Florida settles into normal routine, braces for chaos

By Mark Long Sep. 22, 2020 12:26 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2019, file photo, Florida head coach Dan Mullen watches from the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri in Columbia, Mo. Mullen had several players miss the team’s opening training camp practice Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
Florida has potential for championships in Mullen's 3rd year

By Mark Long Sep. 01, 2020 07:36 PM EDT