Florida’s offense looked sharp in its 66-21 Week 1 win over Florida Atlantic, but the Gators may have taken a hit where they can least afford one.
Eric Singleton Jr. did not record a catch after leaving the game with an ankle injury, and ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that the wideout is doubtful for Saturday’s matchup with Campbell. Thamel wrote on X, "Florida wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. is doubtful for the Gators game against Campbell this week, per an ESPN source," and added, "Singleton left the FAU game on Saturday with an ankle injury.
"He's a transfer from Auburn/Georgia Tech with 2,002 career receiving yards."
That’s not a season-ender by any means, but it does trim some of the shine off a passing game that rolled in the opener. Aaron Philo made a strong first start at quarterback, completing 16 of 21 passes for 275 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Vernell Brown III paced the receivers with six catches for 117 yards and a score, while Dallas Wilson chipped in three receptions for 47 yards.
If Singleton is held out against Campbell, the bigger concern may be the Sept. 19 game against Auburn, where his status would matter a lot more.
After the opener, Sumrall struck an upbeat tone while still pointing to the details Florida wants cleaned up. "It was fun.
It was good. A lot of good in there," Sumrall said, via Gator County.
"Plenty of things to get better at, but I want our guys to have fun playing. I tell our team all the tie when you’re going up as a kid you never said I want to go work football today.
You always said I want to go play football.
"That doesn’t mean it doesn’t take hard work, but the work should be fun. Competing is fun.
Making plays is fun. You know, I will tell you the thing I’m most proud of tonight offensively is our perimeter blocking.
Our receivers blocked their ass off."
In Other News...
Florida Just Got An Early Recruiting Boost In The Swamp
Floridas home opener against FAU doubled as a recruiting showcase, with a sizable group of football commits and prospects taking in the game at The Swamp. The visit gave the program an early-season chance to sell the full Florida experience, and the setting appeared to do plenty of the work, with several attendees posting photos and videos afterward and leaving with strong impressions of the stadium and the atmosphere.
For a staff working to keep momentum on the trail, those kinds of visits matter almost as much as what happens on the field. The Gators want recruits to see packed stands, energy, and a place that feels different on game day, and this opener offered exactly that kind of stage. The social media reaction suggested the trip landed well, even if the longer recruiting payoff is still to come. [Read more 🡒]
Auburn Has Early Reason To Watch Floridas Eric Singleton Situation
Eric Singleton Jr. gave Florida an early scare in Week 1 when the receiver went down with an ankle injury against Florida Atlantic, and the initial read is not encouraging for the Gators. Head coach Jon Sumrall labeled him highly questionable, while offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner said the injury was a disappointment, a rough start for a transfer who was expected to play a major role in the offense this season.
The timing makes it worth watching beyond Gainesville, too, because Auburn already knows plenty about Singleton from his previous stop there before he moved on to Georgia Tech and then Florida. For the Gators, the immediate concern is simple: getting a key weapon healthy enough to matter early in the schedule, starting with Campbell, while the longer-term question is how much time this ankle issue might cost a player they were counting on to help shape the passing game. [Read more 🡒]
Florida Just Reopened A Gameday Tradition Debate Fans Know Well
The familiar Gator Bait cheer was back in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during Floridas season opener against Florida Atlantic, ending a stretch of more than six years without it on campus. The university had banned the chant in June 2020 over concerns tied to its historical racial associations, but it returned under new president Stuart Bell, who framed the tradition as something meaningful to the larger Gator community.
Its return adds another layer to a conversation Florida fans know well, especially because it comes amid bigger shifts inside the university. In 2024, Florida eliminated diversity, equity and inclusion positions, making the revival of a long-debated gameday call feel like part of a broader rethink of what traditions the school wants to preserve and why. [Read more 🡒]