Florida
Three Questions About the Florida Gators Specialists Entering 2022
Picture: Jeremy Crawshaw; Credit score: Alex Shepherd
With spring soccer squarely within the rearview mirror, and never a lot occurring within the realm of school sports activities, AllGators has determined to take a stab at going over numerous place teams for the Florida Gators and the three urgent questions for every room.
After masking all main positions on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, we spherical out the sequence by taking a deep dive into the specialists unit for the 2022 model of this system.
Present process immense turnover following a season to neglect in 2021 from the unit as a complete, the proclaimed “game-changers” led by coordinator Chris Sofa shall be an intriguing group to observe within the early going of the Billy Napier regime.
AllGators’ three questions by place sequence
Who will assume place kicking duties?
The departure of Evan McPherson following the 2020 season left a big gap within the Gators specialists unit that was evident a season in the past.
Using the likes of Chris Howard and Jace Christmann in rotation, Florida mixed to make simply 67% of its 15 discipline purpose makes an attempt on the yr and noticed the variety of missed further factors McPherson had in his whole collegiate profession surpassed between the 2.
The inconsistency and lack of leg energy took its toll on the Gators’ season, particularly by means of a missed further level towards Alabama that will finally be a difference-maker between Florida dropping in regulation versus having an try to steal an enormous victory over the Crimson Tide in time beyond regulation.
Now, with each Howard and Christmann each leaving UF, a brand new face is ready to imagine the position of placekicker heading into the longer term.
Whereas there is not an abundance of choices, two have set themselves as much as battle for the beginning spot for the autumn.
First, and certain the one who has the higher hand on account of his placement on scholarship, is true freshman kicker Trey Smack.
His competitors is former most well-liked walk-on Adam Mihalek, who confirmed vital promise through the alternative he acquired within the staff’s spring sport. Knocking by means of a number of long-range kicks from 52 and 49 yards out, Mihalek displayed fascinating accuracy and pop off his foot within the place kicking division.
Nevertheless, he struggled on his kickoff makes an attempt, displaying that he’s restricted to simply place kicking if the Gators wish to make the most of him, giving Smack the higher hand if he can do each successfully.
Will the return sport’s productiveness re-emerge underneath new management?
A much-maligned facet of an already poorly performing staff final season was the lackluster return unit Florida trotted out onto the sector a season in the past.
Characterised by mishaps alongside the purpose line, unsolicited return makes an attempt and, frankly, the improper personnel in spots to return kicks, the group was a detriment to Florida’s success.
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Entrusting working again Malik Davis and extensive receivers Xzavier Henderson to return kicks, with an occasional look from extensive receiver Ja’Markis Weston, Florida totaled simply over 13 yards per return on common and didn’t report a rating.
Davis recorded the staff’s longest return of simply 33 yards.
Likewise, Henderson was the first handler of punt return duties. In 23 makes an attempt, he compiled simply seven yards per try with a protracted of simply 33.
Throughout the board, the return unit left a lot to be desired in 2022.
As they give the impression of being to introduce new faces into the fold in an try to discover a spark, particularly the likes of Demarkcus Bowman and the person who was recruited closely to be a return sport specialist in Fenley Graham, the Gators hope they will discover a spark much-needed spark within the third part of the sport.
Will Sofa get extra manufacturing out of the sport changers than former particular groups coordinator Greg Knox was in a position to? Or are the Gators in for one more yr of mediocrity at greatest within the return sport?
Can punter Jeremy Crawshaw present consistency?
The drastic turnover and hope for enchancment are the robust storylines for the particular groups unit heading into 2022. Nevertheless, the Gators do have the luxurious of continuity in one of many main areas within the type of punter Jeremy Crawshaw.
Exhibiting flashes of elite leg power to bomb balls downfield at factors final season, Crawshaw has the potential to be a weapon for the Gators.
However, can he be that every time he steps on the sector?
A season in the past, the Australian native was a vibrant spot for Florida’s particular groups unit. Averaging 44.1 yards per punt on 52 makes an attempt, his capacity to ship opposing groups on their heels was evident at factors.
Nevertheless, simply as he would get off 60-plus-yard bombs — his career-high coming towards Vanderbilt with a 69-yarder — the Sydney product struggled with mis-hits.
The volatility of his sport was encapsulated in Florida’s upsetting loss to Missouri in time beyond regulation on the street, the place he paired a 67-yard punt and a 54-yard punt with an 11-yarder, a 29-yarder and a 31-yarder.
His increase or bust nature shall be an space the brand new Florida workers seems to drastically enhance this offseason to make sure they get performances matching the numbers of the previous extra typically.
Using an offense that may lean towards a power-rushing sport that’s designed to put on down opponents and wind down the sport clock, Florida will hope they will depend on their punter — though sparingly — to flip the sector when their dashing assault will get stymied persistently.
If they will, your entire unit, offense and protection, will reap the advantages of Crawshaw’s work.
Keep tuned to AllGators for steady protection of Florida Gators soccer, basketball and recruiting. Observe alongside on social media at @SI_AllGators on Twitter and Florida Gators on Sports activities Illustrated on Fb.
Florida
Who is Brady Singer? Reds’ new pitcher was Jonathan India’s Florida Gators teammate
Terry Francona joins the Reds as their new Manager
Terry Francona joins the Reds as their new Manager.
Brady Singer, the right-handed starting pitcher the Cincinnati Reds acquired Friday in a trade of Jonathan India and Joey Wiemer to the Kansas City Royals, was India’s teammate with the University of Florida Gators from 2016 to 2018.
Singer and India were separated by just 13 picks in the 2018 MLB draft, with the Reds selecting India fifth overall and the Royals taking Singer 18th.
Together they helped the Gators to the 2017 College World Series championship. Singer started and won two games in the CWS. India was a key contributor for the 2017 team despite an injury, and he earned SEC Player of the Year honors as a 2018 All-American, lifting Florida to a 2018 CWS win in an elimination game with an RBI single and three-run homer against Texas.
Singer was the Royals’ first-round pick in 2018.
The Baltimore Orioles’ Grayson Rodriguez (11th overall) and the Seattle Mariners’ Logan Gilbert (14th), among the top pitchers in the American League last season, were two of the players selected between India at fifth overall and Singer at 18th.
Later in the first round, the Royals also took Jackson Kowar, a Florida teammate of India and Singer, 33rd overall.
At Florida, Singer posted a 23-10 record and 3.22 ERA. In his final college season, Singer was named Baseball America National Player of the Year, and won the Dick Howser Trophy as the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association’s top college baseball player.
Singer’s high school, Florida’s Eustis HS, produced another former Reds draft pick.
Catcher Chris Okey starred at Eustis, a couple of years before Singer. He played three seasons at Clemson before the Reds made him their second-round pick in the 2016 MLB draft. Okey had two hits in 13 plate appearances for the Reds in 2022.
Singer played at Tavares High School and transferred to Eustis before his senior season. He was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the second round of the 2015 MLB draft, but opted instead to pitch for the Gators.
Singer pitched six shutout innings at GABP in the Royals’ win against the Reds in August.
Singer scattered five hits and walked one while striking out six in Kansas City’s 8-1 win. India had one of those five hits.
It was the only start out of 10 Singer made in August and September that he won.
Singer’s only other career start against the Reds came in July 2021. He allowed one run on five hits and a walk while striking out six over six innings in a no-decision. India walked and singled off of Singer.
Singer struck out the only batter he faced in the 2024 postseason.
In Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees, Singer entered a 2-2 game in the top of the 7th inning and struck out American League MVP Aaron Judge to end the inning.
One inning later, the Royals’ Kris Bubic gave up a solo home run to Giancarlo Stanton, which proved to be the difference in a 3-2 win.
Florida
ACC v FSU Update: 11 States Join Florida, File Brief To Protect Sovereign Immunity
More than 10 states have joined the State of Florida in an amicus brief to support its fight over state’s rights after a North Carolina judge ruled Florida State University (a public university) waived its “sovereign immunity” by voluntarily dealing with the Atlantic Coast Conference
READ MORE: Former FBS Coach With Ties To Mike Norvell Spotted At Florida State’s Practice
Earlier this year, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody sued the ACC after it failed to provide the details of the Grant of Rights agreement between the Conference and ESPN, which has been one of the focal points of both lawsuits.
Mecklenburg County (North Carolina) Judge Louis A. Bledsoe ruled that Florida State waived its sovereign immunity by being a member of the Conference, making the secrecy of the agreement between the ACC and ESPN legitimate.
The ACC has since released the (heavily redacted) details of the Grant of Rights agreement.
AG Moody claims the agreement is public record under Florida law, but the ACC – and Mecklenburg County Judge Louis A. Bledsoe – disagrees.
AG Moody’s argument in the lawsuit is that it does not matter if Florida State does business with the ACC outside of state lines, all records – due to Florida law – are public records.
The states alongside Florida involved in the amicus brief supporting the FSU Board of Trustees include Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Utah.
Part of the amicus brief states:
“Each of the fifty states enjoys immunity under the U.S. Constitution from lawsuits to which they have not consented. Embracing a long history of sovereign immunity, the Constitution requires a state’s consent before a federal court or another state’s court can exercise jurisdiction over that state. The States have an interest in preserving the rights secured to them and their constituent institutions by the U.S. Constitution, including the immunity of their public universities from suit in other states’ courts without the States’ clear and unequivocal consent.”
In short, the states believe the ruling from Judge Bledsoe – should it become precedent – threatens the authority of each individual state guaranteed by the Constitution.
It is uncertain how this brief will affect the ongoing competing lawsuits between FSU and the Atlantic Coast Conference, but it could result in the case being thrown out and solidify a precedent protecting state’s rights.
READ MORE: Kickoff Time, TV Info Announced For FSU’s Rivalry Game Against Florida Gators
Stick with NoleGameday for more FREE coverage of Florida State Football throughout the 2024 Season
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• FSU Head Coach Mike Norvell Provides Ideal Timeline For Coaching Hires
• Florida State Running Back Could Return For Season-Finale Against Florida Gators
Florida
Florida deputy 'fighting for his life' following crash that killed 2 colleagues
A Florida deputy is “fighting for his life” Friday after being critically injured in a “horrific accident” that claimed the lives of two of his colleagues, officials say.
Deputy Ignacio Diaz of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office was struck Thursday on the shoulder of Southern Boulevard by a female driver who was trying to pass a vehicle on her right, according to Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. Diaz, along with Cpl. Luis Paez and Deputy Sheriff Ralph Waller, had been conducting traffic enforcement in the area.
“She overcompensated, got off the road and then struck all three of the motor officers, at which time all three went airborne in different directions,” Bradshaw said.
“Hopefully he is going to make it,” Bradshaw added regarding Diaz. “It’s a bad crash. We are jointly investigating this with Florida Highway Patrol.”
FLORIDA SHERIFF BREAKS UP ALLEGED MASSIVE CHECK FRAUD CONSPIRACY
Bradshaw said the accident happened after one of the officers made a traffic stop and then “could not get his motorcycle started, so he thought he had a dead battery.
“So he called the other two over to help him move the bike off the road. They were all three on the grassy area on the shoulder of the road, and they were going to wait for another PBSO vehicle to come with some battery cables,” he continued.
The female driver, who did not appear to be impaired and was traveling in a zone with a 55-mph speed limit, suffered minor injuries in the crash, the sheriff said.
Paez and Waller were airlifted to a hospital, where “they worked on them for as long as they could there,” but “they were injured so badly they just weren’t going to make it,” according to Bradshaw.
2 KENTUCKY POLICE OFFICERS SHOT DURING TRAFFIC STOP ON CAR REPORTED STOLEN
“Law enforcement, public safety and the military are the only professions when you leave the house and kiss your family goodbye, that might be the last time, and here’s the example of it,” Bradshaw said. “When a deputy dies, a piece of the community dies with them. It’s tough.”
The sheriff, who also called the accident “horrific,” said Diaz underwent surgery and is now in critical but stable condition in a local hospital’s ICU.
“This is our hero, Deputy Ignacio ‘Dan’ Diaz, currently fighting for his life. Deputy Diaz joined PBSO in 2004 and has been a valued member of our Motor Unit for over 10 years. We ask for your thoughts and prayers for him and his family during this incredibly difficult time,” the sheriff’s office wrote on its Facebook page.
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of our brothers, honor their memory, and support their families during this devastating time,” it added in a post announcing the deaths of Paez and Waller.
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As of Friday, it appears no charges have been filed following the accident. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
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