Gator Nation Sports Page: Wednesday, Apr. 29

We at gatorsfirst.com work hard to bring our readers the latest in sports news from around the Gator Nation. We check all the news sites, regional and national, and do all of the research for you. We understand that you're busy and don't want to be internet geeks like us. So look for the Gator Nation Sports Page, and stay current on the latest Gators sports news and sports opinions.

This Vols-Gators thing has been spilling over to MMA, specifically the Xtreme Fighting Championships.

I'm overly fascinated with the Dan Mullen experiment in StarkVegas, so here is a blog asking "can he win?" and another recapping his first spring as a HC.

While we're checking in on former Gators, here is a blog about Josh Portis and Cam Newton.

Oh, and I wonder if Jeremy Foley will cover my mortgage before writing Bernie Machen his check for $6 million.

I also recently covered a Jimmy Buffett concert for Eventchaser.

Here is everything you need to know since our last Sports Page.

Football

This Gainesville Sun blogs revives a Spurrier tradition by handing out some Spring Awards.

Urban Meyer wants John Brantley to play more next year. So do we, Urban, so do we. I hope that the slow starting days from the beginning of 2008 are way behind us. We certainly seem to have the depth to go to the bench often during blowouts.

Brantley had surgery. I guess that it's no big deal considering the previous quotes from Meyer.

Urban Meyer has asked for former players to stop criticizing the program. Pat Dooley says that he is walking a fine line. Mike Bianchi asks if he's trying to blackball Shane Matthews.

Urban Meyer tops this list of the nation's best coaches. It's hard to argue about the top four, though I'd flip Saban and Stoops. Jim Tressel has to have plummeted within the last three years; it's unbelievable to me he is No. 13. Also, Kirk Ferentz is far too high.

Florida's kicking game is the class of the SEC.

Here's a Q&A with Will Hill.

Our friends Gator Tailgating have a blog on tailgating Vol-style, but out of a garbage truck.

Former RB Eugene McCaslin was arrested in Tampa.

Professional Gators

The NFL Draft has been the source of most of the news around these parts lately. Here's a rundown of who signed as a free agent afterwards. This blog lists James Smith as a signee, as well. At this link are some more thoughts on the draft. The SEC led the nation in NFL Draftees.

I found myself nodding quite a bit with Dr. Saturday's "Ways the NFL Draft Could Make Sense to a College Football Fan." Note: it didn't. And not just because of Al "Sea Monster" Davis.

Percy Harvin is off the NCAA Football cover. CI backed his teammate's character. Urban Meyer and Charlie Strong stick up for Harvin. Is Meyer covering for Harvin, and did he throughout college?

Harvin could need additional foot surgery.

Cornelius Ingram looked ready before the draft. Then he was surprised that he fell to the fifth round. Pat Dooley says that he shouldn't be surprised.

Here's an interview with free agent signee Jason Watkins.

It's now time to look ahead to the 2010 NFL Draft, and an Orlando Sentinel blog on the topic.

This means that you'll see more articles about Tebow and the NFL. And my rift with Mel Kiper will continue to grow.

ESPN had a feature article on Joakim Noah in the NBA Playoffs.

Basketball

By now, you've most likely heard that Alex Tyus is coming back. Here are some final thoughts on Tyus in next year's lineup. The Dagger says that things aren't so bad, after all.

Here is an article on Allan Chaney's search for a new school, and a blog on the topic.

UF and Syracuse will play in Tampa as part of the SEC-Big East Challenge next season.

Billy Donovan and Rick Pitino will be at a Dick Vitale-hosted benefit. Women's head coach Amanda Butler was named to USA Basketball U-19 staff.

Total Sports Domination

It took 10 innings for Gator baseball to get by USF, with a bases-loaded, walk-off single. Before last weekend, the South Carolina series was called a stress test. Florida emerged with a sweep.

Lady Gator softball broke the school season HR record. Stacey Nelson threw a no-hitter as Florida swept Arkansas.

Golfer Billy Horschel was named SEC Golfer of the Year.

Here's a column that mentions Gators in the Boston Marathon.

Men's and women's tennis are both hosting NCAA matches.

Recruiting

Florida baseball signee Patrick Schuster tried for his fifth consecutive no-hitter last night. A double in the third inning ended the streak.

The Orlando Sentinel talks about the early commitments for Urban Meyer, and the way that this is different than years past. The Gainesville Sun is already predicting Florida's 2010 class will be the greatest recruiting class of all time.

Urban Meyer is on the twitter.

One recruit picked Georgia over Florida, then trashed his underwear. I'm pretty sure that they were a pair of these.

2009-2010 PG Eric Bledsoe is still unsigned, and likes UF.

You can find the original article here.

Written by James Brown, Gatorsfirst.com Co-Founder.