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
4 injured in Florida shooting possibly tied to online marketplace deal, deputies say
Four people were hospitalized after a shooting Monday afternoon that investigators believe stemmed from an attempted online marketplace transaction, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded around 1:15 p.m. to the 3600 block of Avenue R in Fort Pierce, where they found multiple people wounded, the sheriff’s office said. Patrol deputies secured the area, provided aid and coordinated with St. Lucie County Fire Rescue to get the victims to a local hospital.
Preliminary information and witness accounts suggest one person arrived at the location intending to complete an online marketplace transaction with another individual. When the potential buyer got out of the vehicle, three suspects allegedly ambushed the individual and opened fire, investigators said.
Four people have been identified as victims of gunshot wounds. Detectives believe a fifth person may have been involved and are working to identify and locate that individual.
The sheriff’s office said the information released so far is preliminary and may change as investigators confirm details and develop new leads.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office at 772‑462‑7300 or email CrimeTips@stluciesheriff.gov.
Copyright 2026 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.
Florida
Could it snow again in Florida? Here’s what to know
ORLANDO, Fla. – Snow…really? It may sound hard to believe, but it’s looking more likely that parts of the Florida Panhandle could see snow early Sunday morning.
A strong Arctic cold front pushing through the state, combined with an area of low pressure, is creating the right setup for wintry weather near the Florida–Georgia line.
Temperatures will be cold enough for snow, and places like Milton and Pensacola could see around 1–2 inches, with a few spots possibly picking up a little more.
This is happening right around the same time as last year’s historic snowstorm. On Jan. 21–22, 2025, a powerful winter system moved through the South and brought record-breaking snow to the western Panhandle. Pensacola measured 7.6 inches, while Milton saw an incredible 9–10 inches, the heaviest snowfall ever recorded in Florida.
While snow in Florida is rare, it has happened before. A light dusting fell across parts of North Florida in Jan. 2018, a notable storm reached areas like Ocala and The Villages in 1989, and an extreme cold wave in 1977 even brought snow to Tallahassee and parts of South Florida.
Copyright 2026 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.
Florida
Why some Florida basketball players have different jerseys vs Vanderbilt
Florida basketball fans sing ‘Won’t Back Down’ in win vs Tennessee video
Watch as fan’s sing Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” during Florida basketball’s 91-67 defeat of Tennessee in Exactech Arena.
NASHVILLE — Three Florida basketball players will have different jersey numbers in the Gators’ matchup against Vanderbilt on Saturday, Jan. 17.
Boogie Fland will wear No. 33 instead of No. 0, while fellow guard Xavian Lee will be in No. 99 instead of No. 1.
Center Micah Handlogten is also in a different jersey: No. 34 instead of No. 3.
The jersey changes are a result of a travel error a Florida spokesman told The Gainesville Sun. Notably, No. 33 normally belongs to Cooper Josefsberg, who will not dress out due to the mix-up, while No. 34 and No. 99 are backup jerseys.
This is 20th-ranked Florida’s first conference matchup against a ranked opponent as the Commodores are No. 8 in the latest USA Today Coaches Poll.
The Gators are 8-68 all-time on the road vs. top-10 opponents, including 3-6 under Todd Golden. However, Golden’s three top-10 road wins are the most by any coach in Florida history.
The Gators and Commodores are set to tip off at 2 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on ESPN.
Reach Florida Gators writer Andrew Abadie at AAbadie@usatodayco.com or on X (formerly Twitter) at @AndrewAbadie. You can also find him on Facebook at Andrew Abadie Sports Reporter or on Instagram @andrewabadie_sports.
-
Montana1 week agoService door of Crans-Montana bar where 40 died in fire was locked from inside, owner says
-
Virginia1 week agoVirginia Tech gains commitment from ACC transfer QB
-
Montana1 week ago‘It was apocalyptic’, woman tells Crans-Montana memorial service, as bar owner detained
-
Minnesota1 week agoICE arrests in Minnesota surge include numerous convicted child rapists, killers
-
Lifestyle4 days agoJulio Iglesias accused of sexual assault as Spanish prosecutors study the allegations
-
Oklahoma1 week agoMissing 12-year-old Oklahoma boy found safe
-
Education1 week agoVideo: A Viral Beauty Test Doesn’t Hold Water
-
Oregon1 week agoDan Lanning Gives Oregon Ducks Fans Reason to Believe