Napier avoids Rashada details, doesn't expect NCAA inquiry
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — (AP) — Florida coach Billy Napier provided little insight Wednesday into how and why the Gators lost four-star quarterback Jaden Rashada, but said he doesn't expect it to prompt an NCAA investigation. Napier repeatedly said NCAA rules prohibited him from providing details. It’s unclear when Napier realized the deal was falling apart or how much he even knew about the NIL deal. “I think every college football coach would tell you they’re frustrated,” he said. ___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25 Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25Copyright 2023 The Associated Press.
wftv.comSigning day ends recruiting sagas for QB Rashada, CB McClain
Also in the Pac-12, Cormani McClain, previously committed to Miami, signed with Colorado to make it two straight years that coach Deion Sanders has landed a five-star cornerback. Last year, Sanders made recruiting history when he swayed five-star cornerback Travis Hunter to renege on a verbal commitment to Florida State and sign with Jackson State. The rest of the top 10 were LSU, Miami, Oregon, Tennessee and Notre Dame. Florida State, 16.017. Florida State, 2019.
wftv.comReflecting on the tragedy for UVA football, does USC have a chance to make the College Football Playoff & which interim head coaches should keep their jobs?
The college football break week is taking place this weekend with the exception of an action packed Pac-12 slate. This leads to the discussion of whether or not the USC Trojans can be serious contenders to make the final four in the College Football Playoff. West Virginia has parted ways with their athletic director Shane Lyons & the pod speculates if head coach Neal Brown is next. 52:08 Texas A&M has won the national meat judging championshipStay up to date with the latest college football news and coverage from Yahoo Sports on Twitter @YahooSportsCFB. Follow Dan @DanWetzelFollow Pat @ByPatFordeFollow Ross @RossDellengerCheck out all the episodes of the College Football Enquirer and the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts
wftv.comUSF botches late FG, No. 18 Florida gets 31-28 win in Swamp
18 Florida rally to beat South Florida 31-28 on Saturday night. South Florida was a 24 1/2-point underdog and for the 20th time in 24 games under third-year coach Jeff Scott. THE TAKEAWAYSouth Florida: The Bulls fell to 0-3 against Florida, but this one was considerably closer than the previous two. It could be a sign USF is closing the gap on the Gators, who remain the only Sunshine State team that hasn’t lost to South Florida. Florida has been outscored 24-0 by Utah, Kentucky and South Florida in the frame.
wftv.comRichardson shines, Burney seals Florida's win vs No. 7 Utah
It seemed like money well spent after the Gators delivered their biggest season-opening victory in more than 50 years. Anthony Richardson ran for three scores in his second career start, including a 2-yard scamper with 1:25 remaining, and Florida upset seventh-ranked Utah 29-26 on Saturday night to get the Napier era off to a rousing start. He really showed up down the stretch, although fifth-year linebacker Amari Burney was the one who sealed the victory for the rebuilding Gators. Richardson took a knee from there, and the Gators rushed the field to revel in their 33rd consecutive victory in home season openers. Utah also settled for two first-half field goals, one from 43 yards and another from 31.
wftv.comRichardson, Burney help Florida upset No. 7 Utah in Swamp
He really showed up down the stretch, although linebacker Amari Burney was the guy who sealed the victory for the Gators. Richardson took a knee from there, and the Gators stormed the field to revel in their 33rd consecutive victory in home season openers. Despite the loss, the Utes have enough talent and experience to still be a factor in the College Football Playoff. ___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/ap_top25. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://bit.ly/3pqZVaFCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.
wftv.com4-star football recruit announces commitment to Florida by holding live alligators
Four-star recruit Aidan Mizell had a unique way of announcing his commitment to Florida on Friday. The class of 2023 wide receiver said he was heading to the Gators by holding two actual gators. Mizell came to the stage at Boone High School in Florida with two baby alligators that had their mouths taped shut. Given the presence of the live gators, it’ll be a big surprise if Mizell ends up recommitting from Florida. The earliest any 2023 player can sign with his preferred school is in December.
wftv.comKirby Smart still doesn't want Florida-Georgia played in Jacksonville
NCAA Football: Georgia at Florida Oct 30, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Georgia Bulldogs fans cheer in the second half against the Florida Gators at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports - 17061671Georgia head coach Kirby Smart re-upped his desire to move the annual Florida-Georgia game from Jacksonville to the school’s respective stadiums at SEC Media Days on Wednesday. “I’m competing all across the SEC, who host recruits at their biggest game,” Smart said on "SEC Now." They’d like to see Georgia play Florida, but they can’t do that. "I'd like to see that game in Jacksonville, experience that game before I have an opinion on that."
wftv.comUCF Knights to face Florida Gators at Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa
UCF Knights to face Florida Gators at Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa File photo of Raymond James Stadium during Super Bowl LV in February. TAMPA, Fla. — The stage is set for a matchup between the Florida Gators and UCF Knights on the football field. For the first time ever, the two schools are going to go head-to-head, in a bowl game. On the Knights side, this will be the first bowl game with Gus Malzahn in charge and a chance to beat an SEC school in a bowl game for the third time. Napier is taking over a team that had to beat Florida State last week to get to a bowl game.
wftv.comAP source: Napier gets 7-year, $51.8M contract at Florida
(AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) (Matthew Hinton)GAINEVILLE, Fla. — (AP) — A person familiar with negotiations says new Florida coach Billy Napier agreed to a seven-year, $51.8 million contract that makes him the fifth-highest-paid coach in the Southeastern Conference. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Saturday night because neither Florida nor Napier has publicly released contract details. Napier signed a new contract at Louisiana-Lafayette before the 2021 season that nearly doubled his pay, raising his total compensation to $2 million annually. ___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25Copyright 2021 The Associated Press.
wftv.comNo. 20 La.-Lafayette tops App St. 24-16 for Sun Belt title
20 Louisiana-Lafayette capped off soon-to-be Florida coach Billy Napier's time with the Ragin' Cajuns by defeating Appalachian State 24-16 on Saturday in the Sun Belt Conference championship game. Emani Baily rushed for 117 yards, highlighted by his 35-yard touchdown run on a third-and-9 play to give the Cajuns a two-touchdown lead early in the fourth quarter. The Cajuns took a 14-0 lead on Lewis' long TD run on a read-option play early in the second quarter. THE TAKEAWAYAppalachian State: The Mountaineers' only losses in conference play all season came against the Ragin' Cajuns in Lafayette. It was the third time in four years Appalachian State had played in the Sun Belt title game, beating Louisiana-Lafayette the first two times in Boone, North Carolina.
wftv.comNo. 20 La.-Lafayette tops App St. 24-16 for Sun Belt title
Levi Lewis scored on a career-high 56-yard run and passed for another touchdown, and No. 20 Louisiana-Lafayette capped off soon-to-be Florida coach Billy Napier’s time with the Ragin’ Cajuns by defeating Appalachian State 24-16 in the Sun Belt Conference championship game.
Who is Billy Napier? 5 things to know about Florida’s new football coach
Billy Napier heading to Florida: Billy Napier will take over a University of Florida football team that struggled to a 6-6 record in 2021. (Lee Coleman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)As the new University of Florida football coach, Billy Napier will try to turn around a program that struggled to a 6-6 record in 2021. Napier was the Sun Belt Conference coach of the year in 2019. Here are some things to know about Billy Napier. >> Florida Gators hire Billy Napier as head football coachPersonal backgroundNapier grew up in Chatsworth, Georgia, and graduated from Murray County High School in 1998.
wftv.comFlorida Gators to hire Billy Napier as head coach, reports say
AP Source: Florida tabs ULL coach Napier to replace Mullen Head coach Billy Napier of Louisiana-Lafayette takes the field at the start of the second half of the game against the Georgia State Panthers at Center Parc Stadium on September 19, 2020, in Atlanta. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)The Florida Gators are planning to hire Billy Napier as head football coach, The Associated Press is reporting. The 42-year-old Napier, who is head coach for the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns (11-1), likely will stay in his current post through the end of the week, the AP reported. He will then move on to the Gators, who fired their former coach, Dan Mullen, last week. Sources: Florida has targeted Louisiana’s Billy Napier as the school’s next coach.
wftv.comNo. 16 La.-Lafayette tops UTSA 31-24 in First Responder Bowl
(AP Photo/Matt Strasen)DALLAS – Louisiana-Lafayette’s seemingly comfortable 17-point lead over UTSA disappeared during the second half of the First Responder Bowl. 16 Louisiana-Lafayette drove 72 yards in 12 plays to beat UTSA 31-24 on Saturday at SMU’s Ford Stadium. “We made it entertaining again,” Louisiana-Lafayette coach Billy Napier said. UTSA outgained Louisiana-Lafayette 431 yards to 411, had two turnovers to the Ragin’ Cajuns’ one and missed a field goal attempt. UTSA: The Roadrunners, playing in the program’s second bowl, fell short of compiling the first four-game winning streak in the program’s nine-year history.
No. 20 La.-Lafayette overcome bad snaps to beat App State
Louisiana-Lafayette was 0-8 against Appalachian State, including losses in the last two conference championship games. But Ferrod Gardner and Chauncey Manac combined to sack Appalachian State quarterback Zac Thomas on a fourth-and-9 play at the Lafayette 29. Appalachian State beat Louisiana-Lafayette four times in the previous two seasons, twice in the championship game on this same field. 14 Coastal Carolina in the Sun Belt Conference championship game on Dec. 19. Appalachian State: Head on the road to face Georgia Southern on Dec. 12 in the regular season finale.