Florida
Fans, Former Players React to Florida State’s Disappointing Loss to Memphis
For just the third time in program history, the Florida State Seminoles are 0-3 after their 20-12 loss to the Memphis Tigers. Despite improvements on the defensive side of the ball as well as some more magic from kicker Ryan Fitzgerald, the Seminoles were unable to get things going early on, and suffered because of it.
With just 238 total yards from the Florida State offense (67 of which came from one play), as well as three turnovers in the first half, it is safe to say that the displeasure from fans surrounding the offensive struggles is validated. From the crowd booing quarterback DJ Uiagalelei to former players once again coming after the program on social media, fans had a lot to say about this game, and while many are trying to be positive, positivity isn’t the easiest thing when you aren’t confident in your team- especially after the 13-1 record Florida State earned in 2023.
READ MORE: Florida State Falls To 0-3 With 20-12 Upset Loss to Memphis
Reactions Below:
Former College GamedeDay Host David Pollack Shares His Views On FSU
I am a postive person. Always try to be. I’m positive Florida State stinks.
— David Pollack (@davidpollack47) September 14, 2024
Former FSU Linebacker and Current San Fransisco 49er Tatum Bethune Keeps Things Simple Following the Loss
Man…
— Tatum Bethune🥷🏾 (@tatumx15) September 14, 2024
Former FSU National Champion Freddie Stevenson Recognizes Some of the Team’s Strengths
Dawg our kicker and punter are ridiculously good lol
— freddie stevenson (@strugglemade105) September 14, 2024
Analyst and Former FSU QB Danny Kanell Doubles Down on His Stance Regarding the QB Room
I hate benching guys….BUT I think you have to let DJ sit down and see what the offense looks like with Brock Glenn.
— Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) September 14, 2024
Former FSU Defensive Tackle Jacobbi McDaniel Puts the Blame on the Coaches
I’ve seen 3 games this season and it’s not the Qb alone it’s not the wideouts alone it’s not the RBs alone… these guys wasn’t prepared for this season. Idc how much apologizes are given in post game interviews. It’s evident! These young men were not prepared for this season……
— Jacobbi McDaniel (@JacobbiJustice) September 14, 2024
More Reactions Below
This remains the opposite of climbing
— Brett Sarver (@BSarver35) September 14, 2024 — Steven (@PILOT_VOL24) September 14, 2024 Norvell needs to clean house after this season and start his reevaluation of how to build this roster right now.
— Wayne McGahee III (@WayneMcGaheeIII) September 14, 2024 So close…. Yet, so far! 😔😢They are playing with my emotions!
— Timothy M Donovan (@donovantm23) September 14, 2024 guys i’m starting to think the committee will definitely be leaving florida state out of the playoff for a second straight season :/
— kelsey orr (@kelseytayorr) September 14, 2024
READ MORE: Veteran FSU Linebacker Departs For Locker Room With Injury
Stick with NoleGameday for more FREE coverage of Florida State Football Throughout the 2024 Season
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• NoleGameday Staff Score Predictions: Florida State Seminoles vs. Memphis Tigers
• Simulating FSU Football vs. Memphis in EA College Football 25
• ESPN’s Paul Finebaum Praises FSU’s Mike Norvell Despite 0-2 Start
• Game Preview: Florida State Seminoles vs. Memphis Tigers
Florida
Florida Lands Late Commitment From 2026 TE
While all eyes may be on the transfer portal and the upcoming 2027 recruiting class, the Florida Gators football program continues to beef up its current recruiting class.
Based on a post made to his personal Instagram page, the Gators have landed a preferred walk-on commitment from class of 2026 tight end Tripp Brown.
According to Rivals’ recruiting rankings, Brown is a three-star prospect with several Division I offers. Before deciding to attend Florida, he had offers from programs like Toledo, Bowling Green and Eastern Michigan.
Earlier in the week, he announced on his X profile that new Gators tight ends coach Evan McKissack had extended him an offer.
As it stands, 247 Sports ranks Florida’s 2026 recruiting class 15th nationally and eighth in the SEC. With Brown’s commitment, he joins Heze Kent as the Gators’ two tight ends in this incoming class.
During his time at Tampa Plant High School, where he ws teammates with current UF running back Duke Clark, the 6-foot-5, 237-pound tight end made his presence felt all over the field, finishing his high school career with 2,270 all-purpose yards and 25 total touchdowns. The incoming freshman was a two-time All-County selection and also earned an All-State nod during his high school days.
This season, Brown hauled in 15 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown, with his receiving production limited by having to spend time filling in as an emergency quarterback. While under center, he threw 68 times for a total of six touchdowns and 419 yards while completing 51.5 percent of his passes.
Through three varsity seasons, he has caught 57 passes for 699 yards and six touchdowns.
He helped lead the Panthers to the first round of the 2025 FHSAA Football State Championships before ultimately falling to South Lake High School, 37-36. In 2023, Plant reached the state semifinals before losing to South Florida powerhouse Miami Christopher Columbus High School.
A quick look at his film shows a physically gifted, willing blocker who’s also a capable route runner and uses his large frame to shed defenders after the catch.
With former Gators starting tight end Hayden Hansen and backup Cameron Kossman entering the transfer portal, Florida is likely looking to build some depth at the position ahead of next season.
As of Friday, the Gators have already landed a commitment from former James Madison tight end Lacota Dippre and has also scheduled visits with Georgia tight end Pearce Spurlin III and Georgia Tech tight end Luke Harpring.
More From Florida Gators on SI
Florida
Protest photos in Florida after ICE shooting in Minneapolis
ICE shooting: After Renee Nicole Good was killed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, millions of Americans are protesting — including in Trump’s home state.
A week ago, President Donald Trump rang in the new year like a king — in grandeur and opulence at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.
Following this week’s deadly shooting by a federal immigration officer in Minnesota, millions of Americans frustrated with his administration are protesting — including in his home state.
Groups in Orlando, Tallahassee and Miami have held vigils and peaceful protests after Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot in the head while attempting to use a vehicle to flee authorities. The incident was captured on camera, and multiple videos posted on social media have gotten millions of views.
The nationwide protests are the latest in a year of Trump’s second term, which is coming up on a one-year anniversary later this month. Most cite Trump’s:
- immigration crackdowns
- ICE and National Guard deployments
- on-again-off-again tariffs
- his perceived control over all three branches of the U.S. government
More than 25 Trump protests and vigils for Renee Nicole Good were scheduled Wednesday, Jan. 7, to Sunday, Jan. 11, in his home state of Florida, and at least one was scheduled in Palm Beach County − about 30 miles down the road from his private club.
Last week, Donald and Melania Trump hosted their annual New Year’s Eve gala at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. He returns there Friday, Jan. 9, amid the ICE protests and vigils for Renee Good in Minneapolis.
USA TODAY and the USA TODAY Network will provide live coverage of the anti-Trump administration protests.
Below are photos of the ICE protests in Florida, which occurred as Trump returned home to his private club, Mar-a-Lago.
Photos of ICE protest in Gainesville, Florida
Photos of ICE protest in Palm Coast, Florida
Photos of ICE protest in Stuart, Florida
Photos of ICE protest in Tallahassee, Florida
US protests after Renee Nicole Good is shot dead by an ICE agent
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Subscribe to the free Florida TODAY newsletter.
Florida
Flying taxis? They could be coming to Florida by the end of the year
Hate driving in Florida traffic? A flying taxi can elevate that problem. Electric aircrafts could used in Florida’s skies in 2026.
Tired of the constant traffic and congestion clogging Florida’s roads?
In the words of the great Dr. Emmett Brown (Back to the Future fame), “Roads? Where we’re going we don’t need roads.”
Florida is on its way to be the nation’s first state to offer commercial Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). Essentially, that means state officials are paving the (air)way for passengers to take flight taxis, including electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL), from one city to another in record time.
The country’s first aerial test site should be operational within the first part of 2026. It’s at Florida Department of Transportation’s SunTrax testing facility in Polk Couty between Tampa and Orlando along the almost-always congested Interstate-4.
“Florida is at the forefront of emerging flight technology, leading the nation in bringing highways to the skies with Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), an entirely new mode of transportation,” according to a press release from the Florida Department of Transportation. “FDOT’s strategic investments in infrastructure to support AAM will help us become the first state with commercial AAM services.”
When will flight taxis be available in Florida?
Sometime in early 2026, the new Florida AAM Headquarters at the SunTrax Campus will be operational. By the end of the year, it will be fully activated and ready to deploy profitable commercial services for passenger travel.
Air taxi company Archer Aviation announced in Dec. 2025 that it will provide flights between Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood and Miami international airports possibly as early as this year.
The company also plans to pick up and drop off passengers at the Boca Raton Airport, the Witham Field airport in Stuart, Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport and Miami Executive Airport.
Phase one of Florida air taxis: Four sections of the state
- Part A: I-4 corridor, Orlando to Tampa, Orlando to the Space Coast, Orlando to Suntrax and Tampa to Suntrax.
- Part B: Port St. Lucie to Miami
- Part C: Tampa to Naples/Miami to Key West
- Part D: Pensacola to Tallahassee
Phase two of Florida air taxis: Four more sections
- Part A: Daytona Beach to Jacksonville
- Part B: Sebring out east and west
- Part C: Orlando to Lake City/Tampa to Tallahassee
- Part D: Jacksonville to Tallahassee
What Florida airports are interested in commercial flight taxis
- Boca Raton Airport (BCT)
- Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB)
- Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
- Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL)
- Miami Executive Airport (TMB)
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
- Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (OPF)
- Orlando Executive Airport (ORL)
- Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
- Peter O Knight Airport (TPF)
- Sebring Regional Airport (SEF)
- Tallahassee International Airport (TLH)
- Tampa International Airport (TPA)
- Vero Beach Regional Airport (VRB)
Michelle Spitzeris a journalist for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. As the network’s Rapid Response reporter, she covers Florida’s breaking news. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
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