FOUR BITS: transfer, Sugar Bowl, graduation
1 » Florida Gators freshman defensive back Willie Bailey, a three-star recruit out of Hallandale, FL who did not see the field in his first season with the team, has decided to transfer and pursue his college football career elsewhere. According to Bryan Holt of InsidetheGators.com, who spoke with Bailey’s high school coach ($) and confirmed that the decision has been made, the transfer was a long time coming though he left still very fond of Florida. The Gators are expected to see plenty of attrition this offseason with some players transferring, others graduating with eligibility remaining and even other potentially leaving early for the NFL. The school has not yet confirmed Bailey’s transfer, and the player has not determined his future destination.
2 » It is still very early in the 2012-13 season, but Florida basketball has been turning heads with its play through seven games this campaign. The Gators are now ranked second nationally in scoring defense and third in scoring margin, meaning the team is still putting up plenty of points while holding opponents to low averages. Perhaps most impressive is that Florida has accomplished all of this without a full complement of players. Read more about what the Gators have done so far and what can be made of the team’s early non-conference success in my newest commentary for ITG.
4 » A total of 25 former and current Gators student-athletes are set to receive their degrees during fall commencement on Dec. 15. Below are some standout names on the list, which can be viewed in full by clicking here.
David Eckstein^ – Baseball – Political Science
Daniel Pigott – Baseball – Building Construction
Jon Bostic – Football – Health Education and Behavior
Frankie Hammond, Jr. – Football, Track & Field – Telecommunication
Omarius Hines – Football – Anthropology
Omar Hunter – Football – Anthropology
Lerentee McCray – Football – Anthropology
Matt Patchan* – Football – Anthropology
Sam Robey – Football – Criminology
Caleb Sturgis – Football – Sport Management
McKenzie Barney – Soccer – Telecommunication
Erika Tymrak – Soccer – Criminology
Kathryn Williamson – Soccer – Psychology
Teresa Crippen – Swimming – Sport Management
Genevieve LaCaze – Track & Field – Applied Physiology and Kinesiology
Tangerine Wiggs – Volleyball – English
^ Eckstein (1994-97) is 37 years old.
* Patchan has a year of eligibility remaining.
Who else is considering a transfer? I suppose most will wait until after the Sugar Bowl..
Probably a good handful. Some may leave early, too.
Do you think we’ll lose Jacoby Brissett?
Not quite sure just yet.
Sam Robey is finally graduating? Hasn’t he been the backup center for about 15 years now?
Sorry to hear we’ll be losing Willie Bailey. I recall hearing and reading good things about him in the Spring and Summer practices. I guess that goes with the turf in collegiate athletics, though, especially when you’re blessed with a wealth of talent like we are right now at the corner back position, not to mention the load of DB talent pledged right now in the 2013 recruiting class. I get it. I wish the kid the best of luck.
Poor Matt Patchan. Been a tough ride for him from an injury standpoint. Would love to see the kid make it through a season injury free and see him get the chance to fulfill his potential.
Nice article/commentary on the Gator basketball team, Adam. The debacle in Arizona was tough to watch. It’s a scenario that keeps repeating itself (i.e. See Butler game two March Madnesses ago and the Louisville Elite Eight game last year). Love Billy Donovan. Great recruiter, great ambassador for the school, great person. I just wish our teams would play smarter and with more heart down the stretch.
Have no idea what Boynton was thinking when he launched that Erving Walker-esque streetball beyond NBA 3-pointer with about 16 seconds left on the shot clock and the Gators comfortably ahead in the waning moments. That was the beginning of yet another colossal collapse.