Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators

National Signing Day ended with Florida holding the No. 8 class in 2025 in Billy Napier's fourth recruiting cycle. Four-star CB Onis Konanbanny's flip from Tennessee was the key addition. Meanwhile, Napier made two key hires, including his first to the Florida's fledgling front office, and discussed his decision to continue play-calling duties. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark discus...

Todd Golden was absolved during a Title IX investigation into claims of stalking and sexual harassment against the Florida men's basketball coach. Tremendous support and skepticism followed the decision. On the court, the No. 5 Gators are set to face their toughest two weeks, with a chance to separate themselves in a stacked SEC featuring 10 Top 25 teams. Meanwhile, Billy Napier enters his first o...

The college football season wrapped up Monday night with Ohio State beating Notre Dame. The back-to-back national titles for the Big Ten is the league's first since the Buckeyes' 2014 crown under Urban Meyer and put SEC dominance on pause. Speaking of Meyer, the former Gators coach sat down with a quartet of reporters, including Mark and Edgar, to discuss his recent election to the Hall of Fame an...

A day after reaching their highest ranking since 2017, No. 5 Florida was stunned by Missouri to end a 16-game home winning streak and put Final Four plans on hold. The Tigers out-toughed the Gators from the jump - to the chagrin of Todd Golden. The Gators now look to bounce back against Texas and keep pace in the stacked SEC. Meanwhile, all's quiet in football, a bit too quiet for many people's li...

Florida whipped top-ranked Tennessee in historic fashion as Todd Golden's team continues to dominate in the O'Dome and raise Final Four hopes. Meanwhile, football's offseason has been quieter than expected. That could change with upcoming staff moves and - fans hope - potential transfer portal activity. Mark, Edgar and Wesley return from a two-week hiatus to catch up on recent events during the la...

The Gators and DJ Lagway weren't at their best against outmatched Tulane, but didn't need to be during a 25-point Gasparilla Bowl win. But Florida's fortunes under Billy Napier will hinge on how he performs this offseason. The transfer portal closes soon, staff changes are likely pending and the implementation of a front office is inevitable. During an impromptu, holiday edition of Swamp Things, M...

Florida pushes to end 2024 on a four-game winning streak and complete an impressive turnaround in Billy Napier's third season. The Gators are two-touchdown favorites against a team without its starting quarterback, but Green Wave coach Jon Sumrall wants to avoid a season-ending three-game skid to cap a once-promising debut season. Meanwhile, a lack of  activity mining the transfer portal, the poss...

The SEC released the 2025 football schedule to lay out the uphill climb ahead for the Gators. But coach Billy Napier has plenty of immediate challenges to address, including a roster makeover and staff changes. Meanwhile, Todd Golden's top-10 basketball team will face its toughest test to date against Arizona State while the No. 3 gymnastics squad will take to the floor for the first time. During...

Florida is headed to Tampa to face Tulane Dec. 20 in the Gasparilla Bowl. The Gators' appearance in the 2021 game occurred under much different circumstances, with an interim coach and Billy Napier waiting in the wings to replace Dan Mullen. Florida now seeks its first four-game winning streak under Napier. Meanwhile, the Green Wave's starting quarterback entered the transfer portal in a sign of t...

Three weeks ago, the Gators' 2025 recruiting class was barely inside the top-50 and circling the drain. But since upsetting LSU, the Gators have flipped the script along with a dozen recruits committed to other schools. By NSD, the Gators had risen to No. 11,  and even briefly entered the top 10. Billy Napier credited UF AD Scott Stricklin's vote of confidence followed by the Gators' 3-game winnin...

Florida ended a two-game losing streak against archrival Florida State during a matchup with as much action following a 31-11 victory than during it. The game itself might have been ugly, but it was ultimately a thing of beauty to the Gators. A midfield flag planting, an ensuing scuffle and victory cigars in the visitors locker room demonstrated how much the win meant to the players. During the la...

An unexpected reversal of fortunes suddenly gives Billy Napier's surging Gators the upper hand against Mike Norvell's struggling Seminoles. UF is coming off consecutive wins against ranked opponents while FSU cracked 20 points for the first time in nearly three months against Charleston Southern. Florida is a 15-point favorite during the latest meeting between the in-state rivals as the Gators see...

Florida backed up an upset of LSU with another inspired performance to knock Ole Miss out of the College Football Playoff and end Lane Kiffin-to-Gainesville speculation. Billy Napier is pleased with his team's turnaround, but far from satisfied to merely scratch his first winning season at UF. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar discuss the Gators' winning formula and continue to gush a...

Florida hosts No. 9 Ole Miss looking to build on an impressive performance against LSU in a game that could prove a turning point for Billy Napier's program. Lane Kiffin has put together a senior-, transfer-laden team that leads the SEC in scoring and second in point allowed. But the Gators will have momentum and a sold-out Swamp behind them as they aim to knock the Rebels out of the College Footb...

Florida rose to the occasion against LSU to position the Gators for bowl eligibility and provide validation for Billy Napier's vote of confidence. Napier's team executed in all three phases and continued to show the resilience and buy-in UF AD Scott Stricklin praised when backing his embattled coach. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark break down a performance that could signal better d...

Two embattled Florida coaches square off this weekend against heated rivals. Golden's No. 20 Gators head to Florida State while Napier's squad will host No. 21 LSU. Golden's reception will be even more hostile than usual given accusations against him for stalking and sexual harassment. Napier returns to the Swamp off the Gators' worst loss during his three seasons and on the heels of a vote of con...

Basketball coach Todd Golden's Title IX investigation on heels of Billy Napier's vote of confidence was the ultimate 1-2 punch for Florida fans. Two days after AD Scott Stricklin's endorsement of his embattled football coach, Napier's depleted Gators suffered the worst defeat during his tenure, by 32 points at Texas. The accusations against Golden generated headlines, outrage and concerns. But UF'...

UF is standing behind its coach as the Gators enter the home stretch of his third season showing positive signs. Decision-makers are banking on 2025 to finally be Billy Napier's year. The vote of confidence comes as Florida heads to No. 5 Texas as 21.5-point underdogs with a third-string walk-on quarterback hoping to ride a solid running game, resurgent defense and two of the nation's top speciali...

Florida went toe to toe with the Bulldogs and had a chance late in the game despite relying on  third-string quarterback and a dwindling roster. The Gators' grit shined during a 34-20 loss and spotlighted their resilience under Billy Napier. The challenge only intensifies with a visit to No. 5 Texas ahead and walk-on QB Aidan Warner leading the way. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar r...

The Gators are coming off their best performance behind their true freshman quarterback, DJ Lagway. Billy Napier's team, led by Lagway, will need to be even better to have a chance against Kirby Smart's No. 2 Bulldogs, who are 16.5-point favorites and winners of three straight meetings. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar discuss the Gators' toughest test to date as they enter a dauntin...

No. 21 Florida is ranked in the preseason Top 25 for the first time since 2019. Todd Golden's team has the pieces to be the Gators best squad since the 2016-17 Gators made an Elite Eight appearance. UF opens the season Nov. 4 in Jacksonville, two days after Florida faces No. 2 Georgia in football at EverBank Stadium. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark talk hoops, with a little football...

Florida turned in its most complete performance of the Billy Napier era with a 4-touchdown rout of Kentucky. Led by a pair of true freshmen, QB DJ Lagway and RB Jadan Baugh, the Gators scored their most points under Napier during an SEC game. The defense continued its stellar play in October. Now the hard part: A November schedule featuring four Top 25 SEC teams. During the latest Swamp Things, Ed...

Coming off a crushing loss at Tennessee, the Gators look to end the recent dominance of Kentucky. The Wildcats seek their fourth straight win against Florida for the only time since Bear Bryant was their coach from 1948-51. Mark Stoops seems to have Billy Napier's number. Napier's days could already be numbered at UF; a homecoming loss could prove the final straw. During the latest Swamp Things, M...

Florida suffered a "gut punch," in Billy Napier's words at Tennessee, squandering a 10-0 second-half lead before falling in overtime on Rocky Top. But the Gators lost more than a game; veteran quarterback Graham Mertz suffered a season-ending injury as his college career came to an end. UF now turns to true freshman DJ Lagway full time. An inspired, improving defense will help, but the Gators are...

The Gators head to Rocky Top coming off a pair of convincing victories and now seeking a signature win in 2024. The rival Vols are 15.5-point favorites, but have not won consecutive visits from Florida since 1990 and 1992. Meanwhile, coach Billy Napier has not won consecutive road games at UF. Something's gotta give. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark discuss the matchup ahead of Hurri...