This combination delivered an offseason windfall for men’s basketball coach Todd Golden’s Gators.

Haugh announced Tuesday he will return for a fourth season rather than enter the NBA draft, where he projected as a potential lottery pick with earnings in the $5 million range. Instead, the 22-year-old will chase unfinished business after top-seeded, reigning national champion Florida’s stunning 73-72 loss to Iowa on March 22 in the NCAA Tournament’s second round.

“If we would have made a deep run, we probably wouldn’t have as good of a chance of getting him back,” Golden said. “That’s reality. That’s human nature. I think that kind of pours into his competitiveness and the legacy that he wants to leave here at Florida.”

Haugh’s return followed a similar decision by Alex Condon, a preseason All-America forward,  Haugh’s roommate and close friend.

“Alex and Tommy have an incredibly tight relationship; they’ve been very close for four years,” Golden said. “That definitely played a part in it.”

Another unexpected influence came during a conversation with Golden State Warriors’ star Draymond Green, arranged by former Gator Will Richard, now Green’s teammate.

“Tommy was asking about the NBA and all these different things, and Draymond gave him great perspective on what life in the NBA is like and what life in college is like —and how enjoyable it is,” Golden said. “The NBA will be there for him. He only has one more opportunity to be at Florida.”

Green’s path differed sharply from Haugh’s. A second-round pick in 2012, Green entered the league without the financial certainty awaiting Haugh — and before the NIL era.

Now, Haugh can capitalize on both.

“He has legitimate NIL value,” Golden said. “Tommy has the ability to go to major brands, whether it be across Florida or to go nationwide, and be a part of marketing campaigns. He’s a good-looking kid. He’s gonna graduate. He’s got connections and that longevity of being here on campus where he will be recognized nationally.

“That was part of the conversation: If you’re here at Florida, you can take advantage of that.”

Golden, meanwhile, shut down speculation about his future after reports linked him to the Warriors, as the organization evaluates its long-term direction and rumors persist that coach Steve Kerr will not return.

“I’m definitely planning on coaching the Gators,” Golden said.

Entering his fifth offseason in Gainesville, Golden could have has his best roster yet — one that could improve further.

This hinges on 6-foot-10, 265-pound center Rueben Chinyelu, who is exploring professional options, including a trip to the NBA combine on May 10-17 in Chicago. Chinyelu led all power-conference players with an average of 11.2 rebounds, set a school-record with 19 double-doubles and was named the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.

Still, the native of Nigeria’s offensive game is a work in progress.

“He’s going to test and check out what’s out there for him,” Golden said. “But Tommy coming back and Condo coming back appealed to him to come back as well. They’re all boys, and they all want to be together.

“There’s different variables out there.”

With or without Chinyelu, Florida’s core is formidable.

The 6-foot-9 Haugh and 6-foot-11 Condon were the Gators’ top two scorers in 2025-26 and are among the SEC’s more versatile players. Point guard Boogie Fland, who explored his NBA options in 2025 after leaving Arkansas, and sharpshooter Urban Klavzar return to the perimeter.

Kentucky transfer Denzel Aberdeen adds experience and familiarity. After three seasons at Florida, Abeerden transferred to Lexington, where he averaged 13.5 points, 3.4 assists and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 43.3% from the field and 36.3% from 3-point range in his first year as as a full-time starter.

“He delivered for them every night,” Golden said. “That was a big jump for Zell from the year before, where he came off the bench for us. I know it’s weird because he played at Kentucky for a year, but it’s continuity. He was in our program for a long time, and has a really good sense of what we do and how we operate.”

The 6-foot-5 former Dr. Phillips standout is seeking a fifth year of eligibility after playing just 41 minutes across 12 games as a freshman in 2022-23. Pending NCAA legislation allowing five years to play four seasons could support his case, and Golden is optimistic.

“It would be a really weird stance to try to fight him from playing,” Golden said. “Now, if he had played 30 games and played 15 minutes a night, we wouldn’t be going down this path. But to me there’s a common sense approach on Denzel that should be solved pretty quickly.”

Aberdeen also is set to earn his degree.

Florida’s depth extends beyond its big names.

Returning also are Orlando brothers Isaiah Brown and AJ Brown, who redshirted last season after transferring from Ohio University. Shooting guard Alex Lloyd, a talented scorer from Miami, and athletic small forward CJ Ingram, two top-40 recruits in the 2025 class, also will return, despite veteran players ahead of them.

Ingram’s decision was not a given. The Hawthorne native could have entered the transfer portal, but conversations with Haugh solidified the 18-year-old’s commitment to UF.

“CJ and Tommy are very close,” Golden said. “CJ looks at Tommy as kind of a bigger brother, and I know they spoke last week prior to Tommy coming back, and prior to CJ’s decision to stay, about what next year would look like.

“When you have kind of that internal leadership and guys being on the same page, it makes it easier.”

Rather than rebuilding or retooling, Golden can focus on refinement, a luxury in the era of roster turnover.

Brining back a nucleus led by Haugh and Condon positions the Gators as a national title contender in 2027 and ease the challenges of the offseason.

“I love the collection of the team,” Golden said. “We have a really good club.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

His football IQ, toughness and leadership helped produce a consensus All-America season in 2024 and twice a spot on the All-SEC first team. But even Slaugther was caught off guard by NFL decision-makers at the scouting combine.

“They were asking about legal records. I got a fender bender in high school, and they found that one,” Slaughter said. “That was a gotcha.”

Back in April 2020 Slaughter was a day laborer in Ocala during the pandemic, months before arriving at UF. The minor traffic mishap had long faded from memory — not exactly the kind of moment he expected to revisit at the combine.

“I said, ‘Buddy, we were in COVID. I don’t know,’ ” Slaughter recalled. ” ‘I was running on a sod crew. I couldn’t tell you.’ ”

On the football field, though, Slaughter has been tougher to trip up.

Across 33 starts and more than 2,000 snaps with Gators, he allowed six pressures and three sacks, providing rare consistency amid the struggles of former coach Billy Napier’s offense.

Teams value that reliability, along with a solid combine performance that included a 5.1-second 40-yard dash and 32.5-inch vertical leap.

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Slaughter as the top center in the draft, thought he projects him as a fourth-round pick.

“I like everything about Slaughter’s game,” Kiper wrote on ESPN.com. “Slaughter is just a really good, consistent football player.”

Others are less convinced. Longtime draft analyst Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports questions the 6-foot-5, 303-pound Slaughter’s strength — he posted 22 reps on the 225-pound bench press — and fit at the next level.

“He’s smart and he’s tough, and he’s got room to get bigger,” Pauline told the Orlando Sentinel. “There’s a lot of effort. Gets the most from his ability. But what is he?”

After meeting with all 32 NFL teams at January’s Senior Bowl and the following month at the combine, Slaughter understands the evaluation process.

“Everybody’s got something,” he said. “A lot of good, lot of stuff to fix. It’s a turtle race.”

A native of Sparr on the outskirts of Ocala, Slaughter leans on a blue-collar work ethic passed down from his father, Jack, along with a shared love of the outdoors. He plans to watch the draft at home, but might slip out to go fishing — rather than weigh draft projections or criticism.

The toughest question he’s faced so far didn’t come between the lines, but from a fender bender he’d long forgotten.

But Slaughter wants teams to know one thing most of all: “I love football and I play hard for my guys.”

Projections for other Gators

Caleb Banks, DT, 2nd round

Concerns linger after multiple foot surgeries, but Banks’ upside could be too enticing to pass up. He tested exceptionally well at 6 foot 6, 327 pounds, including a 5.04 40 and 32-inch vertical. Limited to three games in 2025, he was disruptive. He dominated late in 2024, highlighted by a 2.5-sack day in an upset of Ole Miss. Healthy, he could be a steal.

Austin Barber, OT, 3rd round

After three seasons at left tackle, Barber likely shifts to the right side — where he excelled as a redshirt freshman in 2022. The 6-foot-6 7/8, 318-pound Jacksonville native ranked eighth among tackles at the combine. His versatility, athleticism and 47 college starts point to Day 2 value, but he must play with more power and less finesse.

Devin Moore, CB, 4th round

Injuries could push Moore into Day 3, but his length (6-3 1/4, 198), tackling and better-than-tested speed stand out after 4.5 40 while returning from groin surgery. After playing 19 of 38 games from 2022-24, he started 11 in 2025, recording 35 tackles and six passes defended. He must develop better ball skills in man coverage.

J. Michael Sturdivant, WR, 6th round

The UCLA transfer impressed at the combine (4.4 40, 10-foot, 10-11 broad jump). Sturdivant consistently produced at three stops, beginning in 2022 at Cal. He finished with 150 receptions for 2,076 yards and 16 scores in four seasons, including 27 grabs for 406 yards and three scores at Florida. But he played more like a possession receiver than a deep threat. His ceiling may be a No. 4 or 5 option.

Trey Smack, K, 6th round

Teams are drafting kickers more frequently, and few match Smack’s leg strength. He set a school-record with 10 field goals of at least 50 yards. From 2023-25, he peaked at 10th nationally in touchback rate (2023). Walterfootball.com ranks him as the top kicker in the draft.

George Gumbs Jr., Edge, 6th round

Athletic and relentless, Gumbs lacks experience after beginning as a walk-on receiver at Northern Illinois University. His 4.66 40 and 41-inch vertical leap intrigue teams. After recording 35 tackles (five sacks) in 2024, Gumbs shook off a slow start to record a tackle for loss in four of his final six games. At 6-4 3/8, 245 pounds, Gumbs must improve in coverage to complement his pass rushing skills.

Tyreak Sapp, DE, undrafted free agent

After a breakout 2024 (13 tackles for loss, seven sacks), Sapp regressed with one sack and 2.5 TFLs. Undersized (6-2 3/8, 273) and sidelined by hamstring injury pre-draft, the Fort Lauderdale native’s stock dipped. If he regains form, he could could carve out a role as an early-down run defender.

Tommy Doman, P, undrafted free agent

The Michigan transfer capably replaced school record-holder Jeremy Crawshaw. Doman averaged 44 yards per punt, with 13 over 50 yards and 17 placed inside the 20 on 50 attempts. Not as dynamic as Crawshaw, but steady enough to earn an NFL camp invite.

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

Inspired and smitten by Francisco, his girlfriend, Turner now looks to match her this week as the Gators tee it up in Sea Island, Georgia, seeking a repeat SEC title.

The SEC individual runner-up as a freshman in 2024, Turner has seen firsthand what it takes to prevail against a stacked field led by world No. 1 amateur Jackson Koivun of Auburn.

“I get to watch her all the time, and I see what she’s doing at home,” Turner told the Orlando Sentinel Monday. “It’s nothing different. She’s a super hard worker, but I’m doing the same thing, so it just makes me more believe that I’ve got all the tools, I’ve got everything it takes.

“Now it’s just time to kind of get out of my own way, which I think something she does really, really well.”

Francisco, a junior from Spain, ignores leaderboards and sticks to her process — an approach Turner hopes to mirror during stroke play Wednesday through Friday, with the top-eight teams advancing to match play over the weekend.

“If I’m lucky enough to be in contention this week, staying away from that a little bit more and just playing and doing what I’ve done to get to that point is something that I’d take away from watching her and hope to do what she just did,” Turner said.

Francisco plans to attend Friday’s round and remain for match play — if the Gators advance.

Turner hopes to be lifting a trophy of his own by week’s end. Their shared success hasn’t gone unnoticed by coach JC Deacon.

Deacon dubbed the pair the “Royal Couple of Gator Golf.”

“They’ve brought so much on and off the course to the Gator golf program,” he said. 

Playing in the No. 1 spot, Turner will lead the pursuit of Florida’s third SEC title in four years against a field featuring 10 of the nation’s top 20 teams, including Koivun’s top-ranked Tigers, No. 3 Texas, led by No. 4 Christaan Maas, and No. 5 Arkansas, home to John Daly II.

“We have to go and play great,” Deacon said. “I do expect us to go play well. Match play’s the goal, but we’re not really going to focus on that until we get there. We have a lot of work to do to earn that spot.”

Ranked No. 25 among amateurs worldwide, Turner leads the Gators in scoring average (71.3) and top-25 finishers, with eight. The 21 year old anchors a lineup featuring four players in the top 55: No. 17 Luke Poulter, No. 45 Matthew Kress and No. 55 Zack Swanwick.

Deacon calls Parker Sands the Gators’ “X Factor” and “best five man we’ve had in a long time.” A sophomore from Oklahoma, Sands posted a career-best seventh-place finish at the Calusa Cup on April 7 in Naples, where four Gators finished among the top 13, led by Turner in a tie for fourth place.

The performance secured Florida’s fifth win for the fourth consecutive season as Deacon continues building one of the nation’s top programs. A sixth victory this week would match the total of the 2023 national champions.

A lineup without holes will make Florida difficult to eliminate if it reaches match play.

“We’ve got five guys on this team that could win the tournament,” Turner said. “When you’re that good and that deep, there’s just not a single match any of these guys are going into where they feel like they’re the underdogs.”

This depth also brings expectations — and pressure — during a grueling week that could span 108 holes across five days.

“It’s one of those things where if you make it to match play, you’re expected to make it, and if you don’t make the match play, it’s a bummer,” Turner said. “You really got to stay focused, not worry about what everyone else is doing and just stay in our lane. We have enough great talent on our team that we’re going to be just fine.

“If we start thinking about winning before we even make it there, that’s when things could be a problem. So just stay focused each day — one day at a time.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

Haugh, who announced his decision Tuesday, will reunite with Alex Condon to form one of the nation’s top frontcourts and lead a top national title contender after the Gators’ crushing 73-72 loss to Iowa in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

“Most guys in my position in the draft, it would be a no-brainer to go to the NBA,” Haugh told ESPN. “It’s not just the NIL. It’s a chance to play with my boys. To play for coach (Todd) Golden. To go to the school I love to play for. It was definitely a tougher decision than last year, but it was best for my career and future.”

A third-team All-America and the team’s leading scorer, Haugh was inconsolable and in tears following Florida’s stunning defeat March 22 in Tampa.

“I think that lit a fire underneath me,” Haugh told ESPN of the tournament loss. “I (didn’t) want my last memory of Florida basketball to be that.”

He finished with 19 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals, but shot just 3-of-11 from the field, including 2-of-8 from 3-point range, and had three turnovers. He went 26 minutes before scoring his first field goal.

The 6-foot-9, 215-pound Haugh averaged a team-leading 17.1 points, recorded 13 20-point games and shot 46% from the field while averaging 6.1 rebounds, earning first-team All-SEC honors. But he shot 32.6% from beyond the arc, including just 3-of-18 (16.7%) during four postseason games.

After shifting to small forward from power forward, Haugh emerged as a versatile defender for a team ranked sixth nationally in defensive efficiency by Ken Pomeroy. Improving his perimeter shooting consistency and defensive impact could further elevate his NBA stock.

He was projected as a possible lottery pick — one of the top 14 players selected — but opted for a fourth season at Florida at a time when lucrative NIL opportunities are available to star athletes.

“Getting this group of guys back together for one last run, they’re going to have a lot of attention and notoriety, a lot of it deserved,” Golden told ESPN. “We’re going to have a ton of pressure, a ton of eyeballs on us this year. But it’s a privilege. Use it to fuel us the right way.”

The Gators are also hoping to get back standout center Rueben Chinyelu, who declared for the NBA draft on Monday, while maintaining his college eligibility if he were to decide to return to school.

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

Chinyelu, who announced his decision on social media, is projected as a second-round pick, but will have the opportunity to impress NBA decision-makers and receive feedback from teams during the draft combine May 10-17 in Chicago. He can withdraw from consideration by May 27 for the June 23-24 draft.

The 22-year-old from Nigeria declared for the 2025 draft and worked out for teams, but was not invited to the combine. He returned to UF and improved as much as any player in the SEC.

The 6-foot-10, 265-pound Chinyelu led all power-conference players with an average of 11.2 rebounds, up from 6.6 the previous season, and set a school-record with 19 double-doubles. Named the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, Chinyelu anchored a defense ranked sixth nationally, according to Ken Pomeroy’s metrics.

Chinyelu also averaged 10.9 points, up from six per game, while shooting 58.4% from the field and 69.5% from the free-throw line. He showed improved discipline, fouling out three times after being disqualified six times in 2024-25.

Behind Chinyelu and 6-foot-11, 236-power forward Alex Condon, the Gators led the nation in rebounds per game and rebounding margin.

Condon announced last week he would return for his senior season a year after he too explored his NBA options before returning to college.

Florida now awaits All-SEC small forward Thomas Haugh’s decision as coach Todd Golden assembles the 2026-27 roster.

Chinyelu’s return for a third season at UF is possible, if not likely. Despite his dominance as a rebounder and defender, along with an expanded offensive repertoire, Chinyelu has room to grow to secure a strong NBA draft position — especially with lucrative NIL opportunities available. Various mock drafts project him as going in the middle of the second round.

He ended his breakout season, however, on a sour note. In a 73-72 loss to Iowa during the second round of the NCAA Tournament, he finished with zero points, one rebound and four fouls in 20 minutes.

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

Francisco parred the final hole — a daunting 397-yard par-4 — to cap a 3-under 67 at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida. She finished the tournament at 8-under 202 and two shots clear of Texas A&M’s Vanessa Borovilos and three others.

“It’s just something that you dream of, something that you work for all year,” Francisco said. “It’s just such an exciting thing.”

A junior from Spain, Francisco began the day three shots off the 36-hole lead of Ole Miss’ Mary Miller, who carded a 2-over 72. Francisco bogeyed the second hole, but birdied Nos. 5, 7, 13 and 17.

Borovilos also birdied the par-4 17th hole but bogeyed the No. 18 hole to finish 6-under, tied for second place with Miller, Texas’ Farah O’Keefe and Tennessee’s Madison Messimer.

By earning her second collegiate title, Francisco, who won the Gators Invitational in March, became the eighth Florida women’s golfer to win the SEC’s individual crown.

Ranked No. 11 in the nation, Franscisco finished seven shots ahead of top-ranked Maria Jose Marin of Arkansas, who recently won the prestigious Augusta National Women’s Amateur. O’Keefe is ranked second, Mississippi State Avery Weed, who finished seventh Sunday, is No. 4 nationally and Borovilos ranks 13th.

“It’s probably one of the best fields we play all year,” Francisco said. “You know that coming in. I think that the excitement I played with today helped me be more focused and more intentional with all my shots.”

Francisco’s performance included bogey-free play on the course’s back 9 each round Friday-Sunday on the 6,103-yard, par-70 layout. Her play helped carry the Gators, ranked third nationally, to the top of the leaderboard after 54 holes of stroke play.

A season after Florida finished as runner-up to South Carolina, the top-seeded Gators will hold the No. 1 spot when match play begins Monday as they seek the school’s first SEC title since 2017.

“We’ve been the one seed before,” longtime coach Emily Glaser said. “It starts all over.”

Florida entered Sunday 5-under and five shots behind Texas, but the Longhorns were 7-over Sunday while Florida was 4-under — a round bettered by only Missouri (6-under).

Oklahoma was three clear of Florida after 36 holes, but finished 5-over Sunday. Leading the Gators by a shot after Saturday’s round, Vanderbilt was 9-over during the final 18 holes.

“We have a very unselfish group who has really continued to lift each other up all year,” Glaser said. “They’re competing against each other at home and trying to get in the lineup and just handle that really maturely, which is why you can see them be successful in moments like that.”

Virginia graduate transfer Megan Propeck matched Francisco’s closing 67, despite a bogey at 18. Propeck finished the tournament 3-under and tied for eighth.

Sophomore Siuue Wu shot an even-par 70, with a triple-bogey 7 on the final hole. True freshman Katelyn Huber’s 72 was the fourth score to count among the five-player lineup. the Gainesville native finished the week 2-over and tied with Wu and others in 24th place.

Francisco’s showing, though, stood out from the rest. After the performance, Glaser reflected on her decision to leave home for Gainesville, where she has steadily developed into one of the nation’s top players.

“I’m not often one who probably makes big, over-the-top statements, but I would be lying if I said this wasn’t one of the proudest moments of my coaching career,” Glaser said. “Just knowing how Paula got to Florida; her evolution over the last three years. It’s incredibly rewarding. It’s not shocking, because I just know how good she is and always knew the future was going to be right for her.

“You just never know when things are going to go your way.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com.

Together, a diverse group of golfers spanning four countries joined forces in Gainesville. The global Gators arrive on the Florida Gulf Coast as the nation’s third-ranked team and the top seed entering this year’s SEC Tournament after being the 2025 championship’s biggest surprise.

A year after a runner-up finish as the No. 10 seed, longtime coach Emily Glaser’s squad won’t sneak up on anybody in this year’s SEC field featuring 11 of the nation’s top-25 teams at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair in Pinellas County. The tournament tees off Friday. 

“People know that we’re one of the ones that can do it,” Francisco said. “We didn’t have many expectations last year, which made it easier to manage the week. But we’re hungry.”

Francisco is the lone holdover from last year’s SEC lineup.

Three contributors from 2025 — Addison Klonowski, Jessica Guiser and Ines Archer — will not compete. Klonowski is an alternate, Guiser has battled injuries and Archer did not qualify.

“That tells you a little bit about our depth,” Glaser said.

Florida has won five tournaments in back-to-back seasons for just the third time in program history — including twice under Glaser, whose teams have captured 41 titles in 14 seasons.

But this group, she said, faced a much tougher schedule — and internal competition every step of the way. UF’s players continually pushed each other for one of the five coveted lineup spots.

“This is the first time that we have this level of competitiveness in this team since I’ve been here,” said Francisco, a junior from Spain. “It requires just a little extra from your side. You need to pay attention to your details. You have to be on your A game.

“That just makes us all better.”

Propeck has embraced and elevated that environment. The Virginia graduate transfer competed in the recent Augusta National Women’s Amateur and leads the Gators with six top-10 finishes, including her first collegiate win at October’s OU Intercollegiate. 

“Everyone is really bought into what we want to do,” she said. “There’s no slacking around here; there’s no complaining, either. We show up to tournaments, ready to go and play our game and stay really calm.”

No one is more consistently prepared than Francisco, Propeck’s roommate.

She leads Florida with a 70.7 scoring average and has recorded a team-leading 11 under-par rounds this spring. Francisco also owns eight top-25 finishes, including her maiden college victory at March’s Gators Invitational with her mother, Maria, in attendance.

“She’s one of the hardest workers on the team, and she’s really competitive and competitive with herself,” Propeck said. “She pushes everybody around her to be better, and that’s been a huge leadership piece.

“She’s gonna fight for every shot.”

Wu, a sophomore from Hong Kong, ranks second on the team with nine under-par rounds since January — though her demeanor contrasts her results.

“She’s our comedic relief,” Glaser said. “Everybody loves her. She’s got a great personality and a little swagger about her.”

Widjaja has diligently developed into a reliable option. The Indonesian sophomore competed in the 2025 NCAA Championships, but has moved in and out of the lineup, including a three-tournament stretch prior to the Clemson Invite, the regular season finale.

“She would be more of the quiet, resilient one,” Glaser said. “But has grown in confidence in her sophomore year.”

Huber, meanwhile, arrived last summer as anything but a fresh face. The 19-year-old Gainesville native has honed her game at UF’s home course, Mark Bostick Golf Course, since she was in middle school.

A fine-tuned game on a familiar course aided Huber’s transition to college. But she’s consistently delivered against better competition, posting seven top-25 finishes.

“It’s amazing, and I don’t think she realizes it,” Francisco said. “She brings such a fresh energy and such excitement. It’s for her a first time for everything.”

Huber will hit Florida’s opening tee shot Friday as the Gators begin 54 holes of stroke play. They hope it leads to Monday’s single-elimination match play — and ultimately the program’s first SEC title since 2017.

“I wasn’t a part of the squad last year, but it’d be a bit of redemption, Propeck said. “It’s gonna be tough, but we can do it.”

Francisco believes the team’s chemistry and approach could make the difference.

“Everyone different and brings characteristics to the team,” she said. “That give us the advantage. Each one of us has a role. We have a really good environment, which makes us work harder every day.

“We’re really lucky to have this team.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

The 21-year-old Australian announced his return on Instagram, with the words, “back to work” overlaying a photo of him. He also wrote, “one more” with an emoji of a gator and heart.

Condon entered his name into the draft following Florida’s 2025 national title run, but withdrew after uncertainty about being selected in the 20-to-35 pick range in the 60-player draft.

Rather than explore his professional options again this spring, the 6-foot-11, 236-pounder will lead another push for a national title in 2027 under coach Todd Golden.

Condon was at his best down the stretch, culminating with a disappointing 73-72 loss to Iowa in the NCAAs second round. He scored 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting — his sixth 20-point performance during Florida’s final 10 games — while adding seven assists and five rebounds.

A preseason first-team Associated Press All-America, Condon earned second-team All-SEC honors after finishing second on the team with averages of 15.1 points and 7.5 rebounds, while leading Florida with 48 blocked shots.

Still, there are areas to improve.

Condon shot just 17% (9-of-53) from 3-point range — down from 32.8% (19 of 58) the previous season — and finished at 64.9% from the foul line after hitting 5 of 9 against Iowa. He also had multiple high-turnover games as the Gators often ran their offense through him. He committed six turnovers in a season-opening loss to Arizona, five against Vanderbilt during a 91-74 loss in the SEC Tournament semifinals and had a season-high seven turnovers in a win at Georgia.

Condon’s return is a major boost to Golden’s efforts to quickly build his 2026-27 roster.

Guard Denzel Aberdeen also announced his surprising return after spending last season at Kentucky. The 6-foot-5, 195-pound former Dr. Philips standout has applied for an NCAA waiver for a fifth season as he aims to join a backcourt featuring Boogie Fland, Urban Klavzar, Isaiah Brown, AJ Brown and Alex Lloyd.

Aberdeen appeared in 12 games and logged just 41 minutes as a true freshman in 2022-23, making a case to be granted a fifth season.

Two major decisions loom: center Rueben Chinyelu and first-team All-SEC forward Thomas Haugh.

The 6-foot-10, 265-pound Chinyelu led power-conference players with an average of 11.2 rebounds and set a school-record with 19 double-doubles. Another season could help develop his offensive game and improve his first-round draft prospects.

The 6-foot-9, 215-pound Haugh was a third-team All-America selection who projects as a first-round pick in June after he averaged a team-leading 17.1 points, along with 6.1 rebounds. Yet, the Iowa loss and strong ties to the program could factor into his possible return.

UF did lose reserve center Micah Handlogten, who entered the transfer portal seeking a fifth season. The 7-foot-1, 260-pound Handlogten averaged 4.2 points and six rebounds — 2.8 on the offensive end — while also blocking 69 shots in 86 games, including 34 starts at UF.

Like Aberdeen, Handlogten seeks an NCAA eligibility waiver because he played in just 40% of Florida’s games two seasons ago when UF won the national championship.

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

Now a linchpin of coach Jenny Rowland’s lineup, Blakely is determined not to let it history repeat itself. The sophomore returns to her home state of Texas this week with Florida again among the favorites to win a national title.

The Frisco native has the talent, mindset and supporting cast to finally break through in Fort Worth. She watched her older sister, UF All-American Sloane Blakely, and the Gators fall to Oklahoma in 2022 and 2023 by a little more than a tenth of a point each time.

“Unfortunately, part of the sport is the ups and the downs,” Blakely said. “Those sort of losses just drive you and build up that fire in you. Definitely has inspired me to keep pushing and wanna be a part of that for this team and encourage others so we can just reach our max potential.”

At their best, Blakely and the No. 3 Gators will be difficult to beat, beginning with Thursday’s seminals. The top two finishers among Florida, LSU, Georgia and Stanford advance to Saturday’s finals to face the top two from Oklahoma, UCLA, Arkansas and Minnesota.

Florida’s potential was on full display at the March 21 SEC Championships. Blakely and junior Kayla DiCello delivered back-to-back 9.975s on the uneven bars before Selena Harris-Miranda’s perfect 10 sealed a narrow .025 victory over No. 1 Oklahoma.

“SEC Championships was probably one of the most memorable hands-down meets I’ve ever been a part of,” Rowland said. “We were truly so present in the moment, had no idea where the scores were, what was going on. For me to be as surprised, just like everybody else and to see this team’s pure joy — that is gonna be a core memory for sure.”

Florida followed the 198.175-point effort with 198.050 at the NCAA Regionals, extending a nation-leading streak of six consecutive scores above 198.

Rowland’s squad has rarely been better positioned to capture the program’s first national title since the Gators’ 2013-15 three-peat. 

A year after the Gators didn’t reach the NCAA finals for the first time since 2019, their longtime coach carries scars from years of close-calls, culminating in 2023 when a leg injury to record-setting star Trinity Thomas  limited her to just two events during Florida’s runner-up finish by .150. But the current group has shown a level of resilience Rowland believes is different.

“There have been many Gator teams over the past 10 years that have come very close,” Rowland said. “It’s easy when you’re on. It’s exciting when you’re on. And when you’re not, those valleys, those hard times .. this team just keeps getting back up and going again.”

Blakely embodies that persistence.

She delayed enrolling at Florida to pursue the 2024 Olympics and finished second to Simone Biles in the U.S. Championships in Fort Worth, positioning her for a spot in Paris. But a ruptured Achilles tendon at the Olympic Trials ended that dream and postponed her college career.

After competing in only the bars at the 2025 NCAA Championships, Blakely has emerged this season as one of the nation’s top all-around performers, capable of scoring a 10 in any event. Her 39.75 all-around mark trails Miranda-Harris’ best by just a tenth and edges DiCello’s best score by .025.

Blakely and Miranda-Harris each recorded multiple perfect 10s this season.

But athletic prowess alone won’t decide a championship.

“The talent is there,” Rowland said. “But they know you can’t rely on talent. They have to be the best version of themselves possible.”

Blakely will chase that standard this week surrounded by a hometown crowd. Family and friends will make the short drive from Frisco to Fort Worth, along with the family’s 9-year-old Scottish terrier, Syrus.

“Little legs, but he’s got a big personality,” the 5-foot-4 Blakely said.

A year removed from heartbreak and remembering her days as a frustrated spectator, Blakely now stands at the center of a historic pursuit she hopes to share with her teammates.

“It would mean so much to us,” she said. “There’s been so much hard work behind the scenes. I see each girl in here every day working hard through mistakes, struggles, hard days, good days, great moments. It would just truly be so heartwarming, and I would want that for each girl on this team.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

Up next …

NCAA Gymanstics Championships

When: 4:30 p.m., 9 p.m. Thursday

4 p.m. Saturday

Where: Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, Texas

TV: ESPN2/ESPN +, Thursday

ABC/ESPN +, Sunday

But a bright-eyed, eager crowd gathered hours before Saturday’s Orange and Blue spring game, energizing a coach who already has plenty to spare.

“This is a special place,” Sumrall said. “You can tell when you pull over to the Gator Walk today; there’s a decent number of people here at 9 in the morning for a noon kick that are ready to see these guys play. Very pleased with the support we’ve had here.

“This fan base is passionate.”

Sumrall plans to repay that passion with championship success absent for nearly two decades, dating back to Urban Meyer’s national title teams in 2006 and 2008. Since Meyer’s departure in 2010, Florida has reached 11 wins just twice (2012, 2019) — a mark Sumrall hit in three of four seasons as a head coach at Troy and Tulane.

The 43-year-old believes Florida still has the ingredients few programs can match: tradition, recruiting footprint, fan support and a gameday environment reflected in a a reported crowd of 47,100 Saturday in the Swamp.

Meyer has served as a sounding board for Sumrall and attended his coaching clinic April 3, alongside Super Bowl- winning coach Jon Gruden and Liam Coen of the Jacksonville Jaguars. On Saturday, Sumrall echoed a message from Gruden, who reminded players that Florida once ruled the SEC.

“We talked about — we’ve got to wake the beast up,” Sumrall recalled. “Like, it’s time we wake this thing up. This is a sleeping giant. I’m telling you right now, it ain’t a matter of if we’re gonna win here. It’s how fast we’re gonna win.

“It’s coming.”

Spring practices, culminating with the Orange and Blue game, provided Sumrall reasons for optimism and skepticism entering the offseason.

The Gators’ offense under Buster Faulkner flashed explosiveness in the passing game.

Quarterbacks Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. each threw two touchdowns of at least 20 yards — three of them exceeding 30 — a season after Florida produced an SEC-low 11 30-yard completions in FBS games.

Receivers totaled seven catches of 25 yards or more after just 19 in 2025. Aside from sophomore standout Vernell Brown III’s 31-yard touchdown, newcomers accounted for the rest.

Wake Forest transfer Micah May Jr. delivered the highlight of the day — a 75-yard touchdown from Jones — as he finished with four catches for 122 yards and two scores. Auburn transfer Eric Singleton Jr. and returning redshirt sophomore TJ Abrams led the team with six receptions apiece, with Singleton totaling 92 yards and a 38-yard score.

Georgia Tech transfer Baily Stockton, who played the past two seasons under Faulkner, had four catches for 24 yards and showed burst in space.

“We’ve got some speed there,” Faulkner said. “I think six or seven guys in that room are playing really good football. The hard part for us is going to be to make sure they all get a chance to touch the football.”

Sumrall also offered an update on promising Dallas Wilson, who set spring game records with 10 catches for 195 yards in 2025. The 6-foot-3, 218-pound redshirt freshman is recovering from offseason foot surgery, but could have played if needed.

“Was it the right move to limit him this spring so he can fully get to where he needs to be? Yes,” Sumrall said. “Because when he does, watch out.”

Defensively, UCLA transfer Kayne Clark had five solo tackles, while incoming defensive backs DJ Coleman (Baylor) and Cam Dooley (Kentucky) each had interceptions. True freshman edge rushers KJ Ford and JaReylan McCoy added a sack apiece.

The defensive line, in particular, earned Sumrall’s approval thanks to depth at tackle (Brendan Bett, Joseph Mbatchou, Jeremiah McCloud, DK Kalu) and length on the edge with Kam James, Emmanuel Oyebadejo and L.J. McCray, all listed at 6-foot-6.

“There’s a lot of guys in that room that I think can play winning football,” Sumrall said.

He’s far less certain about the offensive line.

Coaches continued to rotate players and experiment with multiple combinations Saturday, still searching for the right five-man unit.

“We’re nowhere near settled in that room,” Sumrall said.

Significant progress will be required during the offseason program under strength coach Rusty Whitt.

“Rusty does a lot of things well. What he does best is build lineman, and we need that,” Sumrall said. “Those guys have to have a freaking great summer or we got no chance. There’s gotta be a lot of growth that continues to happen — and they will.”

Sumrall sees enough roster gaps that he acknowledged he’d welcome a spring transfer portal, eliminated by the NCAA in 2025.

“I would love to be able to go out and have that little free agency period, and fix a couple spots a little bit more than we got fixed right now,” he said.

He now plans to meet individually with all 111 players to define roles and set expectations heading into the offseason.

After Saturday’s game, his message was already clear.

“We’re gonna wake up tomorrow, and we’ve got to get our ass back to work,” he said. “Spring practice may be over, but us getting better so we can try to win football games here is far from over.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com