1 week Ago By Andrew Kulha, Yardbarker
There's been a huge deal made about several blue blood programs canceling their spring games this offseason. The stated reasons have been varied, but most seem to rightly think that paranoia has been driving coaches to hide their rosters from their competitors. Keep in mind, that the spring transfer portal opens up in a few days on April 16.
Notable programs that canceled their spring game include Nebraska, Texas, USC and Ohio State. Florida was not on that list, but notably, the Gators decided not to televise their spring game. Again, that seems like a paranoid move, but head coach Billy Napier explained after the fact what the Gators' reasoning was.
The first is that the game was not going to be on a national broadcast such as ESPN. “I think that once we didn’t necessarily get the call to be one of the prime (TV) spots, I think we felt like, ‘Hey, what are the advantages, disadvantages?'” Napier explained, according to On3 . “Gives us the freedom to just call everything.
” Napier didn't have to sit there wondering if Mike Norvell or Mario Cristobal were sitting on their couches at home and watching his playbook unfold. If they're going to get scouted by the opposition, at least make them work for it, right? There's a bit of paranoia in that statement, but the second reason Napier gave had to do with his team, as well as their fanbase. “We also felt like we’d get better attendance,” Napier said.
“People want to see the show. So in general, couldn’t ask for a better day. Then the basketball team wins the national championship and I think that just was the icing on the cake there from a decision-making standpoint.
" During a 30-minute break in the spring game fans were able to honor the 2025 NCAA National Champion Florida Gators basketball team. According to the team , 53,563 people were in attendance for the spring game. Perhaps fewer would have shown up for the moment if it was available to watch on TV.
Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports.
