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MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022

VOLUME 116 ISSUE 30 Not officially associated with the University of Florida

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Alachua County Public School’s racial achievement gap persists BLACK STUDENTS CONTINUE TO UNDERPERFORM IN ACPS

By Emma Behrmann Alligator Staff Writer

Ashleigh Lucas // Alligator Staff

UF and Santa Fe students bow their heads at a candlelight vigil held in solidarity with those who have lost their lives in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at Lake Alice on Thursday, April 7. Over 4.5 millions Ukrainians have fled and the death toll is estimated to be 7,600.

Alachua County Public Schools has the state’s widest achievement gap between white and Black students in both English language arts and mathematics. Segregation met its end in 1970 for Alachua County Public Schools, but disparities between Black student and white student performance afflict the district today. The district serves more than 30,000 students — 33% of which are Black and 41% of which are white. ACPS officials acknowledged this gap and crafted an equity plan in 2018, promising to eliminate the disparity by 2028, but the plan failed to narrow the difference in student performance. It outlined goals like

raising the performance of Black students in reading and math by three percentage points each year, but the gap widened as the district failed to implement any policy changes to meet its goal, said Tina Certain, school board member. The district can’t task its teachers with overcoming the achievement gap. Every district in the state has a gap, and factors outside the classroom are at play. The Alachua County Education Association’s service unit director Crystal Tessmann said years of systemic poverty and racism entrenched in society have aided the gap’s formation. The achievement gap is the difference between the percentage of white students who received a passing score — a level three — on the Florida Standards Assessment and the percentage of

SEE ACPS, PAGE 4

Law students, attorneys reflect on Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation

Jackson was confirmed as the first Black woman on the Supreme Court Thursday By Carissa Allen Alligator Staff Writer

Seven seconds. The amount of time it takes to tie a shoe, swipe on mascara, solve a riddle or make a good first impression. The length of a pause from Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman confirmed as U.S. Supreme Court Justice — when Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, asked if she believed babies could be racist. “Senator,” she paused. “I do not believe that any child should be made to feel as though they are racist, or though they are not valued, or though they are less than, that they are victims, that they are oppressors.” This was just one of many antagonizing moments in the barrage of questions Jackson faced throughout her four-day confirmation hearing in late March. The Senate confirmed Jackson Thursday in a historic 53-47 vote. Three GOP senators —

SPORTS/SPECIAL/CUTOUT New-look Gators to showcase

Story description finish with comma, pg# development at Orange and Blue game Florida’s annual spring game is set for Thursday night in the Swamp. Read more on pg. 12

Susan Collins, R-Maine, Lisa Murkowski, RAlaska, and Mitt Romney, R-Utah — crossed party lines to secure the simple majority vote required. Cheers cried out from the Senate chamber and across America. But for many Black law students and attorneys, the interrogations she faced leading up to this moment reflected their everyday struggles in and out of the legal arena. Some Black women like Janelle Rolle, a first-year student at UF Levin College of Law, believed the questioning highlighted the scrutiny that Black women endure despite their outstanding merit and qualifications. “For Black women to be these people who are so highly educated, and who are so worthy and capable, we're constantly being questioned and deemed as ‘less than,’ even though there's nothing that indicates that perspective should be held,” she said. Since the Supreme Court was established in 1789, 115 justices have served. Of those on

the bench, 108 have been white men. Jackson is the third Black justice to serve on the court. The American Bar Association’s 2021 Profile of the Legal Profession says that nearly all people of color are underrepresented in the legal profession compared with their makeup in the U.S. population. In 2021, 4.7% of all lawyers were Black compared to the U.S. population, which is 13.4% Black. UF Levin College of Law touts its “commitment to excellence and diversity,” but only 7.4% of its students are Black or African American as of 2022. Rolle perceived the hearing as a reflection of select GOP senators’ implicit bias. Their questions concerning critical race theory and her stance on pedophilia were targeted and inappropriate, she said. “It's very apparent that their issue is the fact that it's a Black woman because she's coming from the second highest court in the nation: the D.C. Court,” she said. “There should be no reason for the questions that are

Pivotal architecture showcase returns to campus After two years of digital PIN UPs, architecture students physically present their work, pg. 2

being asked.” Before being confirmed for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, she was a public defender, representing defendants who could not pay for a lawyer. She’s the first former federal public defender to serve on the highest court. The diversity that Jackson will bring to the court is extremely important to Rolle, who has lived for 23 years without a justice who looks like her serving on the bench. “To have all these laws that have been passed, and the Constitution read by all these eyes for all these years, and never, not once, has someone who has lived my experience even remotely … made any statements on what they feel the Constitution says or stands for is pretty astonishing,” she said. The Supreme Court is the court of last resort for legal issues that affect Americans'

SEE JAKCSON, PAGE 4

Conference room named after historic UF professor

Students orchestrated the naming ceremony of Enoch Marvin Banks conference room, pg. 6

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2 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022

Today’s Weather Pinned plans: Pivotal architecture showcase returns to campus

VOLUME 116 ISSUE 30

NEWSROOM:

After two years of digital PIN UPs, architecture students physically present their work By Fernando Figueroa Alligator Staff Writer

Hidden under the School of Architecture's atrium, John Eric Phipps sat with his model of one building in a global system of vaults that would store all human knowledge in the case of an apocalypse. The secret scene of organized chaos, accented with lonely Exacto knives and abandoned t-squares scattered across the atrium’s cement floor, may be unfamiliar to many UF students. But every Spring, second-year architecture majors face PIN UP, a daunting task that determines if they continue in UF’s architecture program. Phipps, a 20-year-old architecture sophomore, was joined by 106 students with boards showcasing their photos, sketches and models all laid out in unison underneath the atrium. From above, the atrium looked like a mosaic of white rectangular tiles. This year, 15 faculty members will pick between 90 to 96 students to progress in the program next year. With cut fingers bandaged with tape and a napkin, Phipps pinned up his best work on a white 48-by-90 inch board. Architecture’s creative nature grants him opportunities to create vivid narratives through the buildings he designs. “I can see myself doing so many things with this degree,” Phipps said. “There's a whole sector of architecture that's not

physical architecture, like in video games or in movies.” Once students were satisfied with their boards, they placed them in the School of Architecture’s gallery and along the hallways that meander through the building. The gallery was open on April 6 and 7. Noah Kartagener, a 20-year-old UF architecture sophomore, spent a week composing his board. He set aside a day to sift through the box of old works he’d archived under his bed. His board spotlights his favorite model: a World War I memorial built at a battle site in the French countryside. Kartagener plans to pursue a master’s degree in architecture. Kartagener often spends about 40 hours a week on his craft, which can lead to the occasional burnout. “It’s a full-time job,” he said. Adjusting to in-person classes and events after isolation during the pandemic has challenged architecture sophomores who were not able to see older students’ boards, UF’s School of Architecture undergraduate coordinator Mark McGlothlin said. “This group didn't have that kind of institutional legacy to build on, which I'm sure they would say has some penalties,” McGlothlin said. The pandemic-induced intermission has had some benefits, though. Not being able to reference boards from previous years meant students presented more

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candid representations of their work without outside influence, he said. The basic PIN UP process hasn’t changed in several years, architecture professor Lisa Ryzhikova said. She graduated from the UF School of Architecture in 2016 and has taught at the university for one year. When she was a student, there was not as much digital work, she said. The boards back then were composed mostly of pencil sketches. The program’s shift online in 2020 changed that. Since the return from the pandemic, Ryzhikova said she noticed more mental health awareness on campus. Although students are still adjusting to inperson classes and the anxiety that might come along with it, she said they are also more comfortable with their professors. Ryzhikova was only able to build these student-professor relationships in graduate school. For professor McGlothlin, being able to see students faceto-face has been gratifying. Seeing students help one another despite the competitive nature of the event has been the most rewarding part of PIN UP, he said. @fernfigue ffigueroa@alligator.org

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UF architecture sophomores prepared for the PIN UP gallery, an annual event that determines whether they will continue in the program in the School of Architecture’s atrium on Monday, April 4.

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Ashleigh Lucas // Alligator Staff

Under Construction

Dimetri Lonardo and Ray Winko, UF architecture majors, work on a construction project inside the College of Design, Construction and Planning on Thursday, April 7.

Man’s Best Friend

Eye of the Artist

Ashleigh Lucas // Alligator Staff

Winnie Yun, UF art major, draws a lanscape scene for a class assignment outside of the College of Arts on Thursday, April 7.

Ashleigh Lucas // Alligator Staff

UF students play with Hannah, a local therapy dog, at Lakeside Residential Complex on Sunday, April 10.

Ashleigh Lucas // Alligator Staff

Hannah, a local therapy dog, visits UF students at Lakeside Residential Complex on Sunday, April 10.

FILM SCREENING: MONEY AND HONEY

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UF CHINESE TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE FLORIDA GAINESVILLE TAIWANESE ASSOCIATION DANCE PERFORMANCES ART TOURS ART MAKING FREE FOOD

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FREE ADMISSION harn.uﬂ.edu/museumnights

#HarnMuseumNights image: Unknown Chinese artists, Embroidered Theatrical Hanging 刺繡戲劇人物掛毯, Qing dynasty (1644–1911), c. 1890–1911 Sponsored by UF Student Government and the OOce of the Provost. Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural AAairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. Presented with the support of the UF International Center and in partnership with the UF Sustainable Online Network for Global-Cultural Studies (SONGS).

4 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022

County failed to meet its equity plan goals ACPS, from pg. 1 Black students who received a passing score. The reality of separate, but not equal during segregation translated into this achievement gap, Tessmann said. “It just got a different name and kept disenfranchising and hurting the kids who needed the most,” she said. She taught at Metcalfe Elementary for nine years, which is home to an 84% Black student population, according to schoollevel demographics. Last year, 18% of its fourth graders passed the English Language Arts FSA, below the district’s 51%. She loved her time teaching there and made score gains with her students. When the state came in after the school received an F for its grade as a result of low FSA scores, state coaches made teachers feel as if they could never do enough. “Sometimes it comes off that it’s the teacher’s fault that the achievement gap is happening,” Tessman said. “Instead, it needs to be how can we empower teachers to fight the achievement gap?” Of Florida’s 75 districts, Alachua’s gap remains the largest

with a 47 percentage point difference in ELA and a 46 percentage point difference in math. Miami-Dade follows with a 39 percentage point gap in ELA and a 40 percentage point gap in math. The district is trying to tackle this divide. Although the district has not created another equity plan, new programs began this August that aim to improve student achievement, Certain said. These contrast the lack of policies initiated with the 2018 equity plan. One of these new programs resulted from a partnership with University of Florida’s College of Education: the University of Florida Literacy Institute, or UFLI. This program trained teachers last summer and was implemented in every kindergarten through second grade classroom districtwide. It’s a research-based phonics curriculum that teaches students to read with multi-sensory activities such as hand motions and chanting. Read the rest online at alligator.org.

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‘She’s an inspiration to all of us’ JACKSON, from pg. 1

everyday lives, but it has never included a Black female justice in its 232 years of decision-making. A cornerstone of U.S. democracy, the highest court is now more representative of America, which lends it more legitimacy in the eyes of Kristen Hardy, a legal skills professor at UF Levin College of Law. “[The] confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson wasn't just a great day for Black women, or Black women lawyers, but it was a great day for the democratic institutions in this country and in the perception of fairness and equality in the judicial system,” she wrote in an email. Hardy watched the confirmation hearing in between meetings and teaching classes. She expected a certain degree of vitriol but was not prepared for the divisiveness, disrespect and lack of civility, she wrote. Racism in the legal field is still a reality she endures, and she understands the pain on the receiving end of the GOP’s questions. “I was watching it with my mom, who, like Judge Jackson's mom, is a school principal,” she added. “We were overcome with emotion as we sat there and watched Judge Jackson endure such behavior with grace and dignity.” Judge Jackson maintained her composure during attacks on her background as a federal public defender and her stance on crime. She worked on the front lines of the criminal justice system, exposed to the everyday struggles of Americans. In a government of the people, by the people, for the people, citizens like Kennedy Simon believe

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it’s crucial to have a justice in the Supreme Court who thinks about criminal law with a unique perspective. Simon, a 20-year-old UF psychology major and African American studies minor, is planning to apply to law school in the Fall. She hopes to become a criminal defense or civil rights attorney. There’s unimaginable pressure being the only Black person in the room sometimes, she said. But Judge Jackson is a reminder to persevere. “I had to have a hard conversation with myself that, ‘You know what, a lot of people aren't going to see the value in my life, but that doesn't mean that I shouldn't keep going,’” she said. “That’s a hard reality to have.” Raised by parents that came of age during the civil rights movement, Nouvelle Gonzalo, a 39-yearold U.S. and international corporate lawyer based in Gainesville, was reminded of a similar maxim. “That’s something we were always told growing up,” she said.

“That ‘You have to remember you are going to need to work twice as hard, you're going to need to put in twice as much work just to get the same opportunities, many times.’” The U.S. has come a long way since the 1960s and ’70s, though, and Gonzalo said she has worked with plenty of professionals who look at the quality of work rather than skin color or socioeconomic background. She has learned to walk in her passion for law and pursue it with intensity, refusing to be discouraged, just as Judge Jackson has. Jackson addressed the country Friday for the first time since her confirmation. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris stood alongside her on the sunny White House South Lawn. “In my family, it took just one generation to go from segregation to the Supreme Court of the United States,” she said in her speech. “We’ve made it. All of us.” @carissaallenn callen@alligator.org

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El Caimán

LUNES, 11 DE ABRIL DE 2022 www.alligator.org/section/elcaiman

La brecha de rendimiento de las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Alachua (ACPS) separa el desempeño estudiantil LOS ESTUDIANTES AFROAMERICANOS CONTINÚAN TENIENDO UN RENDIMIENTO INFERIOR EN ACPS, Y LAS NUEVAS INICIATIVAS APUNTAN A REDUCIR LA MAYOR BRECHA DE RENDIMIENTO EN EL ESTADO

Por Emma Behrman Escritora del Caimán

Traducido Por Marian Hernandez Escritora del Caimán

ACPS tiene la brecha de rendimiento más amplia del estado entre estudiantes blancos y negros tanto en artes de lenguaje como en matemáticas. La segregación llegó a su fin en el 1970 para las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Alachua, pero las disparidades entre el desempeño de los estudiantes negros y blancos afligen al distrito en la actualidad. Este distrito atiende a más de 30.000 estudiantes, el 33 % de los cuales son afroamericanos y el 41 % son blancos. Los funcionarios de ACPS reconocieron esta brecha y elaboraron un plan de equidad en el 2018, prometiendo eliminar la disparidad para el 2028, pero el plan no logró reducir la diferencia en el desempeño de los estudiantes. Describió objetivos como aumentar el rendimiento de los estudiantes afroamericanos en lectura y matemáticas en tres puntos porcentuales cada año, pero la brecha se amplió porque el distrito no imple-

mentó ningún cambio de política para alcanzar su objetivo, dijo Tina Certain, miembro de la junta escolar de ACPS. La brecha continúa dividiendo a los estudiantes blancos y afroamericanos en la búsqueda del éxito educativo. El distrito no puede encargarles a los maestros el cierre de la brecha de rendimiento. Todos los distritos del estado tienen una brecha y factores fuera del aula están en juego. La directora de la unidad de servicio de la Asociación de Educación del Condado de Alachua, Crystal Tessmann, dijo que años de pobreza sistémica y racismo arraigados en la sociedad han ayudado a la formación de la brecha. La brecha de rendimiento es la diferencia entre el porcentaje de estudiantes blancos que recibieron un puntaje de aprobación, un nivel tres, en la Evaluación de estándares de Florida y el porcentaje de estudiantes afroamericanos que recibieron un puntaje de aprobación. La realidad de separados, pero no iguales durante la segregación se ha manifestado en esta brecha de rendimiento, dijo Tessmann. “Simplemente recibió un nombre diferente y siguió privando de sus derechos y lastimando a los niños que más lo necesitaban”, dijo. Ella enseñó en la escuela primaria Metcalfe durante nueve años. Metcalfe es el hogar de un 84% de la población estudiantil afroamericana, según la demografía a nivel escolar. El año pasado, el 18 % de los alumnos de cuarto grado aprobaron la FSA de artes de lenguaje,

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por debajo del 51 % del distrito. Le encantaba su tiempo enseñando allí y mejoró las calificaciones con sus alumnos, pero cuando el estado intervino después de que la escuela recibiera una F como resultado de las bajas calificaciones en la FSA, los entrenadores estatales hicieron que los maestros sintieran que nunca podrían hacer lo suficiente. “A veces resulta que es culpa del maestro que la brecha de rendimiento esté ocurriendo y, en cambio la pregunta debe ser ¿cómo podemos empoderar a los maestros para luchar contra la brecha de rendimiento?” dijo Tessman. De los 75 distritos de Florida, la brecha de Alachua sigue siendo la más grande con una diferencia de 47 puntos porcentuales en ELA y una diferencia de 46 puntos porcentuales en matemáticas. Miami-Dade le sigue con una brecha de 39 puntos porcentuales en ELA y una brecha de 40 puntos porcentuales en matemáticas. El distrito está tratando de abordar esta división. Aunque el distrito no ha creado otro plan de equidad, en agosto comenzaron nuevos programas que tienen como objetivo mejorar el rendimiento de los estudiantes, dijo Certain. Estos contrastan con la falta de políticas iniciadas con el plan de equidad de 2018. Uno de estos nuevos programas fue el resultado de una asociación con la Facultad de Educación de la Universidad de Florida: el Instituto de Alfabetización de la Universidad de Florida, conocido como UFLI. Este programa capacitó a los maestros el

verano pasado y se implementó en todos los salones de clases de jardín de infantes a segundo grado en todo el distrito. Es un plan de estudios de fonética basado en la investigación que enseña a los estudiantes a leer con actividades multi-sensoriales, como movimientos de las manos y cantos. En lugar de mediar a los estudiantes una vez que alcanzan las calificaciones de las pruebas como estudiantes de tercer grado, Certain dijo que el distrito puede desarrollar las habilidades de alfabetización de los estudiantes para evitar la necesidad de remediación. Sin embargo, ella espera que la brecha de logros permanezca igual o incluso se amplíe debido a las pérdidas de aprendizaje relacionadas con la pandemia, que afectan particularmente a los estudiantes de color. Los estudiantes de color no estaban en las aulas cuando COVID estaba en su apogeo, dijo Certain. Muchos eligieron aprender de forma remota o fueron puestos en cuarentena a menudo debido a la exposición, por lo que se espera una pérdida de aprendizaje. Incluso si la brecha sigue siendo la misma o se amplía después de las pruebas de este año, el programa UFLI sigue siendo prometedor. A través del monitoreo del progreso del distrito, los estudiantes de jardín de infantes a segundo grado muestran mejoras, dijo la portavoz de ACPS, Jackie Johnson. Al principio, estos estudiantes estaban detrás de sus grupos de compañeros de años anteriores, pero han progresado más allá de donde estaban sus grupos de

Survivor UF holds first two seasons on ‘Gator Island’ The club brings the challenges of “Survivor” to campus, pg. 8

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compañeros en este momento el año pasado. “Atribuimos mucho de eso al éxito del programa UFLI”, dijo Johnson. “Y, por supuesto, enseñar a los niños a leer y asegurarse de que para el tercer grado hayan aprendido a leer y puedan comenzar a leer para aprender, eso es enorme”. Las habilidades de lectura reciben un énfasis porque el éxito tanto en lectura como en matemáticas en las evaluaciones estatales depende de la capacidad del estudiante para leer y comprender la pregunta presentada. El distrito implementa otros programas de tutoría llamados Beyond the Bell y High Dose. Beyond the Bell es un programa extracurricular disponible para todos los estudiantes e impartido por los maestros del distrito, que ofrece ayuda con la tarea en todas las materias. La tutoría High Dose atrae a los estudiantes que tienen dificultades principalmente con la lectura en todos los niveles de grado para recibir tutoría individual o en grupos pequeños con un paraprofesional. Los estudiantes que refuercen tales habilidades a una edad más temprana podrían ayudar a cerrar la brecha de rendimiento, que afecta de manera desproporcionada a las escuelas predominantemente afroamericanas en el lado este de Gainesville.

6 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022

Conference room named after historic UF professor

Students in Phi Alpha Theta orchestrated the naming ceremony of Enoch Marvin Banks conference room By Elena Barrera Alligator Staff Writer

The Plaza of the Americas is surrounded by some of UF campus’ oldest buildings, making the area rich with history. Keene-Flint Hall, nestled in the outskirts of the square, was built in 1910, but history is still in the making for this old brick building. A conference room on the ground floor of the hall was named Thursday afternoon after one of UF’s first history and economics professors Enoch Marvin Banks. In 1911, Banks published an article in The Independent calling on the South to admit its wrongdoings for trying to secede from the Union during the Civil War. It angered

many Confederate societies, and they pushed to have Banks fired. Ultimately, Banks complied and gave in his letter of resignation. His name, however, was not forgotten in the history department. With a nameless conference room and a burning sense of justice, a three-person committee of the UF history honor society Phi Alpha Theta members initiated the naming of the room with guidance from Steven Noll, a history professor and the society’s faculty advisor. In his Florida history class, Noll assigns “Free Speech at the University of Florida: The Enoch Marvin Banks Case,” a reading on Banks. After reading the article, one of Noll’s students, Kayla Cook, a UF alumna, wanted to honor the

former professor. Cook, joined by Morgan Peltier and Briana Wiggins, advocated to make amends for the former professor in this century. Within the last academic year, UF has been under fire for issues such as denying professors the right to testify in court cases and not allowing courses to include the words “critical race theory” in the title. Recent academic freedom struggles at UF have coincidentally emulated the censorship Banks experienced since students chose him to be the room’s namesake, Noll said. “I think his story has unbelievable relevance today, even more than it had when these guys started the story,” he said. “This is one reason why I think it’s important to have his name out there and have people talk about him.” Banks was forced out because he shared his viewpoint, and this form of censorship did not end with him, Wiggins, a 22-year-old history and international studies senior, said. He was the first in a pattern of people to be forced out of the community for using his right of free speech. Father John Francis Conoley was another who was condemned by the Gainesville community for his beliefs, Wiggins said. Conoley was the founder of the Catholic campus ministry at UF who was antagonized by a local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan for his religious teachings, she said. Klan members successfully advocated to ban him from campus and even physically attacked him. Academia is about the freedom of ideas, discussion and academic thought, she said. “I think [Banks’] story is really a warning of what happens when you let too much local politics take over academia,” she said. Getting the history department to approve the naming of the room has taken two years, Noll said. COVID-19 slowed the three students’ traction, but their efforts finally came to fruition Thursday. An intimate gathering of seven people met outside the conference room to watch Noll hang the plaques identifying the room.

Esha Nair // Alligator Staff

Briana Wiggins and professor Steven Noll pose for a portrait outside of the newly named Enoch Marvin Banks conference room on Thursday, April 7.

Students can clean up the Santa Fe River in Earth Day celebration REGISTRATION FOR THE APRIL 22 RIVER CLEAN-UP CLOSES FRIDAY

By Lucille Lannigan Alligator Staff Writer

Students will be hopping in canoes and paddling along the Santa Fe River, cleaning up trash to celebrate Earth Day. For more than 20 years, environmental organizations have called attention to the threats pollution and over pumping pose to the Santa Fe River. The river is home to more than 30 springs and provides habitat for a wide range of diverse flora and fauna. The Spring Fling event, hosted by several environmental conservation organizations, including Stand Up 4 Springs and the Public Interest Communications Student Association’s Florida Springs project, hopes to combat some of the damages. It will take place April 22 starting at 8:30 a.m. at Canoe

Launch in Canoe Outpost High Springs. Santa Fe and UF students can register and secure their canoe via a link on the Stand Up 4 Springs Instagram until Friday. The first 100 to sign up are guaranteed canoes. Along with cleaning, volunteers will learn about the river’s features from guides. In the afternoon, a celebration in High Springs’ O’Leno State Park, will feature food trucks, music and more. The organizations, including Florida Springs Council and Current Problems Florida, chose to host this inaugural event on Earth Day to celebrate and promote protection of the Florida Springs, Cassie Huffman, president of the PICSA, said. “Our intent with the Spring Fling is to have a day where UF students and the community can really come together and get their hands dirty and pick up trash,”

Huffman said. Huffman began her work supporting the “Boycott Ginnie Springs” movement, created to inform people about the water bottling operations that extract water from the local springs. The overextraction of water leads to water depletion and salt intrusion, Huffman said. Nearly a million gallons are being pumped by Seven Springs Water Company a day, and the Santa Fe River is flowing about 30% below what it should be, according to Our Santa Fe River. “It’s really important that people in Florida are responsible for their environmental impact,” she said. Brenda Wells, communications director for the Florida Springs Council, which focuses on pushing policy change or legal fixes to combat threats to the spring, remembers when the river was more clear than it is today. Along with the over pump-

ing of water, springs in Alachua County face nitrate pollution from fertilizer runoff, Wells said. “Those springs just don’t have the flow that they used to,” she said. “There’s just too many demands on the water, and currently our water management districts are not doing a very good job of saying no to some of those demands.” She hopes people will feel pushed to remain up to date on issues concerning the springs after the event. “When someone gets out there and sees these springs they more often than not fall in love with them,” she said. Kim Hurd, a 21-year-old UF public relations senior, first heard about the Spring Fling through her friends and social media. “I thought the cause was very, very interesting,” Hurd said. “So I just thought it was really important to learn about that and then to attend this event.”

@elenabarreraaa ebarrera@alligator.org

When Hurd first heard about the threats to the springs, she was surprised, she said. Although she had never been, she knew they were popular sites for students. She is now participating in the boycott of Ginnie Springs. Hurd believes this event is important to spread awareness about issues concerning the springs, especially to students. “As college students, we just think everything is fun and don’t think about the deeper meaning behind things,” Hurd said. “We’re giving our money to these places that are taking advantage of resources.” She’s excited to attend the cleanup and experience the springs for the first time “in the right way.” “Come out,” Hurd said. “It’s a great way to celebrate Earth Day because you’re giving back and then you’re also getting to … admire these beautiful resources and state parks that we have the opportunity to go to.” @lucillelannigan llannigan@alligator.org

MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022 www.alligator.org/section/the_avenue

CULTURE

Afro Roots Fest celebrates culture

Ashleigh Lucas // Alligator Staff

performer speaks to a crowd of Afro Roots Fest attendees A on Friday, April 8.

Ashleigh Lucas // Alligator Staff

The UF Pazeni Sauti Africa Choir drummer plays at Afro Roots Fest at Bo Diddley Plaza on Friday, April 8.

Keep up with the Avenue on Twitter. Tweet us @TheFloridaAve.

Ashleigh Lucas // Alligator Staff

The UF Pazeni Sauti Africa Choir performs at Afro Roots Fest at Bo Diddley Plaza on Friday, April 8.

Pro Gators: Ranking each active NBA player from UF

Seven NBA players donned the Orange & Blue in their collegiate years, pg. 11

Scan to follow the Avenue on Spotify

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Download the FREE TapRide App to Get a Ride! or call 352-392-SNAP (7627)

Be a part of something

GIVE Blood.

BIG Photo by Photography 35

Over 1,000 people gathered to form one of the largest human blood drop formations in the country. LifeSouth’s North Florida district needs just as many donors per week to meet the need of our community hospitals. Be a part of something big and give blood today.

For more information, call 888.795.2707 or visit www.lifesouth.org.

Connecting our donors to our patients

8 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022

ENTERTAINMENT

Outwit, Outplay, Outlast: Survivor UF holds first two seasons on ‘Gator Island’ THE CLUB BRINGS “SURVIVOR” CHALLENGES TO CAMPUS

By Caleb Wiegandt Avenue Staff Writer

Zack Casella wanted to face off island competitors in challenges like the CBS American reality television show “Survivor.” Instead, the applied physiology and kinesiology senior brought it to Gainesville. “Survivor” has been a staple of American TV on CBS for more than 20 years now, but this Spring UF saw the first iteration of a Gator copycat of the Emmy-winning program. Sitting at home last summer, Casella never thought he wanted to be the one to start a club at UF. Then again, he didn’t want to spend all his time studying for the MCAT either. A longtime fan of the survival-of-thefittest-type reality show, Casella took Twitter cues from other universities across the country, such as the University of Michigan and the University of Maryland, and decided that UF deserved its own “Survivor” chapter. He posted an application for “season one” of Survivor UF and advertised it on Facebook, Instagram and Reddit. He also printed out physical flyers to post around campus. On the application, Casella asked potential contestants to relate their personalities to past “Survivor” contestants. The application also featured a mock puzzle question for applicants to prove themselves in the face of the tough challenges ahead. From there, those who survived the application round moved on to the interview stage, with Casella and his team conducting them to further explore their personalities and determine their fit for a place in the cast. Jump ahead to January, and the birth of Survivor UF Season 1: Gators at War came to fruition, in Broward Hall’s basement.

Nonetheless, 15 contestants participated in a one-day, eight-hour event hosted by Casella, competing in various challenges, making teams and voting each other out. “We wanted to see how everything was ran and solve any kinks beforehand, having a bigger season,” Casella said. Luckily for students, the wait between seasons was much shorter than the CBS version’s May-and-December cycle. Season two, Survivor UF: Gator Island, was filmed April 1 and 2 in a similar format — both seasons are in post-production, according to the club’s Instagram. This time, applications soared to about 40 submissions for season two, nearly double the 22 applications received for season one. The chosen applicants, another group of 15 contestants, returned to Broward, but this time expanded the season into a twoday affair. “It’s just really awesome to see so many people interested and wanting to participate in our club,” Casella said. “We had some people who had never even watched a single episode of ‘Survivor,’ but they still want to participate for the challenges and socialization aspect of it.” A mental math relay challenge, a jousting challenge, a marble-balancing challenge and the classic who-can-build-the-tallestfreestanding-spaghetti-tower challenge were just a few of the intense trials contestants tested their skill with. “Season two ran a lot smoother because now we knew what we’re doing,” Casella said. “Any issues that arise with season one, now we knew what to fix.” Alexandra Hickson, UF biology and classical studies junior and Survivor UF’s merchandise chair, said she placed third in the inaugural season. She praised the club’s ability to replicate the reality show, even with small beginnings. “The challenges were real: It was complicated and hard,” Hickson said. “Everything that we did on the one day was very authentic to the beginning of ‘Survivor.’” More importantly, Casella is excited

about the connections contestants can form from their experiences “on the island.” Many contestants are still friends with each other, and the club’s first couple groups have formed a tight-knit bond lasting well after the last person was voted off. Every Wednesday night, the club files into Casella’s apartment and turns on CBS for a “Survivor” watch party. Watching the pros weave their way through the physical and mental challenges helps the group reflect on their performances together and turn teammates and rivals into friends. “They were socializing with each other, and even though they just voted the person out, you could see that they were still smiling, laughing,” Casella said. “It’s really great to see the connections that are formed from one season alone.” Kristin Deaver, a UF zoology sophomore, was season one’s runner up and serves on Survivor UF’s recruitment and social media

team. A one-time applicant for big-league “Survivor,” she hopes to start working on fulfilling a dream she has had since she was 11 in Gainesville. “I think most of us here love the show,” Deaver said. “I know my dream and one of Zach’s dreams is to actually be on the show.” In season two, Deaver served as an “idol,” a game-maker of sorts in conjunction with Casella who mediated challenges and evaluated contestants. After a dominant performance last season, she was ready for a new challenge in administering the “Survivor” experience for others. “I was like ‘I did my job. I made it to the end.’” Deaver said. “But it was so much fun just getting to see people that have the same passion for ‘Survivor’ that I do.” @CalebWiegandt wiegandt@alligator.org

Minca Davis // Alligator Staff

MUSIC

Local artist “Zzz” signed to Grade A Production The record label that signed “Juice WRLD” and “the Kid LAROI” took on a UF student By Alexis Carson Avenue Staff Writer

Grade A Productions made international stars out of rap artists like Juice WRLD and The Kid LAROI. The U.S. production company’s next big name could be one of UF’s own. Sam Zelaya, an 18-year-old UF business administration freshman — better known by his artist name Zzz — was signed last week to Grade A Productions. Zelaya’s style of music is a fusion of rap, pop and R&B, with his work being streamed exclusively on SoundCloud. After only a week of meeting, 27-year-old co-founder of Grade A Productions, Brandon Dickinson, also known as “Lil Bibby” Dickinson signed Zelaya to Grade A Productions. Already on the come-up, Dickinson recently shared that an

unreleased song of Zelaya’s made the Top 25 on the SoundCloud charts. “He’s about to be one of the biggest artists in the world,” Dickinson said. Zelaya said it’s crazy to be a part of a team that he was always interested in working with. Working under Grade A Productions has been a long time goal. “Two years ago, my sister asked me: ‘Where do you see yourself in two years?’ And I said, ‘I just want to sign with Grade A,’” Zelaya said. Dickinson came across the young singer’s work in March when someone on his Instagram Live stream was listening to Zelaya. Impressed by Zelaya’s musical talent, Dickinson was determined to look into the Miami native’s work to begin working with him. After getting into contact with

Zelaya and listening to his songs like his unreleased track “5 minutes” and newer release “demo,” Dickinson was instantly reaffirmed in his mission to work with Zelaya. Dickinson flew Zelaya out to Los Angeles to begin recording songs. Dickinson said Zelaya’s music is unlike anything he’s heard before, and his R&B sound in his music is what really made him stand out. Zelaya had offers from other management companies, but he never signed with them because it didn’t feel like the right time until now. “I was waiting for that time to get something I was really confident in,” he said. “This is that time for sure.” Since going to Los Angeles, Zelaya said he’s been going to the studio everyday. He said he

recorded about 15 songs in three days. Dickinson plans to bring Zelaya to New York City soon to meet more people in the music business. Although Zelaya’s time is filling up with recordings and meetings, he is still making school a priority. “I’m still going to get my degree,” he said. “I’m going to finish college.” Xavier Smith, a 17-year-old Canadian in eleventh grade and fan of Zelaya’s, discovered him on social media through the Rap by RapTV Instagram account. Smith said he instantly became a fan, listening to all of his songs after he heard that Zelaya had been signed to Grade A Productions. Smith describes Zelaya’s music as being “unique” and noted that his voice flows well in every song.

“It’s like Juice level,” he said. “It just touches your soul.” Zelaya’s brother, Benjamin Zelaya, believes the recent signing with Grade A Productions is his younger brother’s success coming full circle. For the first year of the pandemic, the brothers didn’t leave the house. They used their time making music. Now, that time spent working on music is paying off. “That’s pretty much like when he really tapped into his craft and he’s always been a very humble, hard worker,” he said. Over the past few years, Benjamin’s role in Sam’s music has shifted from assisting him to produce beats to serving as a figure in his life to give advice. Benjamin went on to say how proud he was of his younger brother. “It shows that hard work really does pay off,” he said. “I’m very excited because I know that he’s going to take this super far.” @Alexis_Carson99 acarson@alligator.org

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4 5

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“General Hospital” from 1982 to 1984.

BONUS

How to play

Complete the crossword puzzle by looking at the clues and unscrambling the answers. When the puzzle is complete, unscramble the circled letters to solve the BONUS. 2022 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

ANSWERS: 1A-Armada 5A-Olive 6A-Tempo 7A-Snared 1D-Amount 2D-Moisten 3D-Dreamer 4D-Second B-Demi Moore

Send comments to TCA - 160 N. Stetson, Chicago, Illinois 60601 or DLHoyt@HoytInteractiveMedia.com

solution on page 10

answer on page 10 Release Date: Monday, April 11, 2022 Release Date: Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Los Puzzle Los Angeles Angeles Times Times Daily Daily Crossword Crossword Puzzle Edited Lewis Editedby byRich RichNorris Norris and and Joyce Joyce Nichols Nichols Lewis

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ANSWER PREVIOUS PUZZLE: PUZZLE: ANSWER TO PREVIOUS

04/04/2022 04/05/22

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04/05/22 04/11/22

10 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022

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PURPOSE: Regular Business Meeting of the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization for the Gainesville Urbanized Area A copy of the agenda may be obtained by visiting our website at www.ncfrpc.org (click Metropolitan Transportation Planning) or may be seen posted at 2009 NW 67th Place, Gainesville, Florida one week prior to the meeting. Due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization for the Gainesville Urbanized Area will conduct a hybrid on-site and virtual meeting via communications media technology. Public participation on-site for this meeting is accommodated, but is limited due to social distancing requirements. On-site public participants are encouraged to wear a face-covering mask at all times. Live public comment is taken on-site only. For on-site public comment, participants will be prompted and should follow the direction of the Chair to participate. In addition, the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization for the Gainesville Urbanized Area accepts written comments received no later than one business day prior to the meeting through email (escalante@ncfrpc. org) or postal mail (2009 NW 67th Place, Gainesville, Florida 32653). On-site participants should state their names and limit comments to three minutes. The public is encouraged to submit any written or photographic documents prior to the meeting to escalante@ncfrpc.org. Any questions regarding participation should be directed to the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization for the Gainesville Urbanized Area Office at 352.955.2200, extension 114. Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, familial status, religious status, marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Michael Escalante at 352.955.2200, extension 114, at least 48 hours prior to the public meeting. 4-11-1-20

MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022 www.alligator.org/section/sports

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Pro Gators: Ranking each active NBA player hailing from Florida SEVEN INDIVIDUALS CURRENTLY IN THE NBA DONNED THE ORANGE AND BLUE IN THEIR COLLEGIATE YEARS

By Jackson Castellano Sports Writer

Florida basketball is a storied program with a rich history of iconic moments, players and success. Although a program’s prestige is usually a combination of on-court performance and the number of banners hanging from its arena’s rafters, another key factor is its NBA pipeline. UF is no stranger to this type of success. Gainesville has been the platform for 33 NBA players to make their next step into the big leagues. Names like Jason Williams, Chandler Parsons and Joakim Noah come to mind as former Gators who dug out a role in the Association. Currently, seven Florida players hold an NBA roster spot, tied for eighth-most amongst all NCAA programs. That begs the question: Who is the best? This power ranking serves as a guide to the current Gator pros and where they rank among each other. Of course, not all of these players were drafted at the same time. This list will account for the age gap between each athlete by accounting for career achievements, the current 2021-22 NBA season and potential for future growth.

1. Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards

The easiest choice on this list is the No. 1 spot. Bradley Beal’s NBA resume easily stands above the rest of his former Gator counterparts. Beal has been productive in each of his 10

NBA seasons. Since being drafted third overall in 2012, Beal has 22.1 points on 45% shooting. He’s been named to an All-Rookie team, an All-NBA team and is a three-time NBA All-Star. No Gator on an NBA roster today boasts the same kind of numbers and achievements. Although Beal missed half of this season with injury, many are intrigued about where he may head in the offseason as a free agent. Beal could finally turn the numbers into playoff success in a new situation away from Washington. One thing is for certain amongst all the rumors: Beal tops the list of pro Gators.

pro ball in France before signing with Miami. UD earned a spot on the All-Rookie second team in his first season and spent the next 18 in South Florida. Those 19 seasons with one franchise is tied with Tim Duncan and John Stockton for third all-time, sitting behind Kobe Bryant at 20 and Dirk Nowitzki at 21. It’s the longest active streak in the NBA. Haslem has been on three championship rosters and, despite receiving minimal playing time throughout his career, has cemented himself as a locker room favorite and Miami Heat legend.

2. Al Horford, Boston Celtics

4. Tre Mann, Oklahoma City Thunder

This is where it gets difficult. There are multiple Gators deserving of this spot on the list. All things considered, Al Horford is the rightful owner of the No. 2 ranking among active Gators. Horford was drafted third overall in 2007 by the Atlanta Hawks after winning back-to-back national championships with Florida. The 6-foot-9-inch center was named to the All-Rookie team the same year. He has also been named to an All-NBA and All-Defensive team during his career, as well as appearing in five All-Star games. Beyond career accolades, Horford’s current play is a main factor in his ranking. He’s averaging a solid 10 points and eight rebounds for the Boston Celtics this year, a strong contribution to the current No. 3-seed in the Eastern Conference.

3. Udonis Haslem, Miami Heat

There are plenty of Gators fans who are Heat fans, which means plenty of Gators fans love Udonis Haslem. He spent a year playing

Tre Mann’s case for fourth on this list comes from a much smaller sample size than those ranked above him. The rookie and former Florida standout has just 60 professional appearances under his belt after being drafted 18th overall in the 2021 draft. Despite his inexperience, Mann has shown plenty of potential. The 21-year-old guard is averaging 10 points and 40% shooting on just 22 minutes per game. It’s a long road ahead in the NBA for Mann, but he has shown early on that he may be a solid backcourt option for years to come.

5. Dorian Finney-Smith, Dallas Mavericks

After transferring from Virginia Tech and playing his final three years of college ball at Florida, Dorian Finney-Smith entered his name into the 2016 NBA Draft. His name was never called, embarking him on a more treacherous road to his role with the Mavericks today. Finney-Smith signed with the Mavericks as an undrafted free agent that same offseason

and secured an opening-night roster spot after a good impression during the Summer League. The forward struggled with injury and finding minutes during his first few seasons before showing signs of steady improvement. Now, Finney-Smith is having the best year of his career thus far, averaging 11 points in 33 minutes on a playoff team.

6. Chris Chiozza, Golden State Warriors

After becoming a campus hero for his game-winning shot in the 2017 Sweet 16 against Wisconsin, Chiozza has had a quieter NBA career. The guard went undrafted in 2018 before joining the Washington Wizards’ Summer League roster. Since then, Chiozza has bounced around many NBA franchises and its G-League affiliates. The 26-year-old currently holds a two-way contract with Golden State, appearing in 34 games and averaging two points.

Rounding out the list is the other rookie selected out of Florida in the most recent draft, Scottie Lewis. Lewis was taken with the 56th overall pick in the second round by the Charlotte Hornets, signing a two-way contract to split time with the team and its G-League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm. Lewis has only appeared in two games for the Hornets this season, but has averaged 12 points and two assists in 30 minutes per game in the G League.

BASEBALL

Wyatt Langford proves his coach right every day THE GATORS LEFT FIELDER IS HAVING A SEASON THAT IS MAKING BASEBALL FANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TAKE NOTICE

By Ethan Budowsky Sports Writer

In a roller coaster start to the year for Florida baseball, there has been one constant: Wyatt Langford. The sophomore from Trenton, Florida, is in the midst of a tremendous season, posting a team-leading 1.103 on-base-plus-slugging percentage along with a .417 on-base percentage and 10 home runs. He has been the Gators’ best and most consistent hitter, and somebody they can always rely on to spark the offense.

However, Langford has not had a smooth ride in his time at Florida. He has traversed through rough terrain since arriving in Gainesville. Langford struggled to find playing time in his first season on campus, appearing in just four games. Then he had to battle for the starting job in left field this year with four extremely talented freshmen, eventually winning out due to his prowess with the bat. “It’s been awesome just being able to play this year,” Langford said. “Kinda got used to not playing baseball last year, just watching a lot of it so it’s been a lot of fun.” Head coach Kevin O’Sullivan put his trust in Langford and it is paying huge dividends. O’Sullivan, who is in his 15th season at Florida, said the left fielder’s transformation in the offseason helped earn him the

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starting job. “I don’t know if I’ve seen a player change his body and change the athleticism as much as [Langford] has,” O’Sullivan said. “He’s spent a lot of time in the weight room and a lot of time on his nutrition, and he’s transformed himself into a really good player from hard work.” Langford attributes that transformation in part to moving in with teammate Colby Halter. He said living with the junior second baseman helped him stay focused on his training and nutrition. “No twinkies at all,” Langford said with a smile. Clearly the change in his body — gaining 10 pounds of muscle since last season — has paid off big time in the power department. Langford’s .684 slugging percentage is second on the team to center fielder

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7. Scottie Lewis, Charlotte Hornets

Jud Fabian, as are his 11 home runs. Scouting expert Spencer Morris of Diamond Dreams Baseball said that Langford is somebody that began catching his eye while focusing on other Florida prospects. Now, he has quickly emerged as one of UF’s best. “I'm sure I don't need to tell anyone that he also packs some serious raw power,” Morris said. “The fact that he's already lifting the ball effectively against SEC competition as a teenager is a great sign for its continued growth. Langford is not eligible for the MLB Draft until next season, but Morris said he is someone who is rocketing up boards. His pedigree as a prospect and the reputation of success for guys like Langford has him projected as an early round pick in 2023.

@jaxacastellano jcastellano@alligator.org

“This is a well-regarded prep player who is blossoming at a very early age against the upper echelons of college baseball talent,” Morris said. “Those types of players have a very strong track record in the pros, and he more than looks the part.” Part of the reason Langford was able to earn himself a starting job is because he changed positions. He came to Gainesville as an infielder/ catcher and was stuck behind experienced guys, unable to get any playing time. Once he changed his body, he also changed positions, switching to a full-time outfielder. This allowed Langford to compete for the open spot in left field and quickly find himself in the starting lineup.

Read the rest online at alligator.org/section/sports.

For updates on UF athletics, follow us on Twitter at @alligatorSports or online at www.alligator.org/section/sports.

@ethanbudowsky ebudowsky@alligator.org

12 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022

FOOTBALL

New-look Gators to showcase development at Orange and Blue game Florida’s annual spring game is set for Thursday night in the Swamp By Topher Adams Sports Writer

New Florida football head coach Billy Napier will man the sideline for the first time Thursday as the program hosts its annual Orange & Blue Spring Game under the lights of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The exhibition will be played at 7:30 p.m. and is open to the public. It was originally scheduled for Saturday, but Napier and the Gators staff want to energize the student body to create a lively environment for recruits. “This is going to create an opportunity for us to engage the student body for the first time,” Napier said. “We’re going to have some of the best recruits in the entire country here to show them what the University of Florida and Gator Nation are all about.” The Orange & Blue game is the culmination of a month of practice for the former Louisiana head coach and Furman quarterback as he starts his first season at the helm of a major SEC program. Napier was hired in December, and spent the first three months building a recruiting class that finished 17th in the 247Sports Composite rankings. Thursday marks the first chance for fans to see first hand what Napier is doing on the field. Since spring practice started on March 15, Napier and the revitalized

Gators coaching staff have worked to instill new principles and ideas to the players. “As a coaching staff, our No. 1 goal is to put our players in a sound concept, eliminate gray areas and make it blackand-white so they can play fast,” Florida defensive coordinator Patrick Toney said. All eyes will be on redshirt sophomore quarterback Anthony Richardson. The Eastside High School product dazzled in moments last season for the Gators. In the season opener against Florida Atlantic, Richardson broke multiple tackles before vaulting over another defender to cap off a 160 yard rushing performance with a 73-yard touchdown run, leaving an energized stadium in awe. Thursday will also be the first time fans see former Ohio State quarterback Jack Miller behind center for Florida. The Scottsdale, Arizona, native played in seven games for the Buckeyes last season before transferring, but only has 14 college pass attempts. “I think [they] take a step forward each day,” Napier said. “Those guys are doing really well, they’re coming in extra … I see improvement so I’m pleased with that group.” Florida’s top running backs in 2021, Malik Davis and Dameon Pierce, are chasing NFL dreams while last season’s leading receiver Jacob Copeland has transferred to Maryland, giving plenty

of opportunities to young skill position players to earn opportunities in the Fall. Running backs redshirt freshman Demarckus Bowman and redshirt senior Lorenzo Lingard, both former five-star recruits in high school before transferring to UF, played sparingly last season, but are getting significant looks in spring practice. Senior receiver Justin Shorter, one of a few veteran offensive players, leads the new look receiving corps. Toney and the new-look Gator defense will look to improve upon the fourth-worst scoring defense in the SEC last season, and the new scheme is already drawing rave reviews from players. “[It’s] breathtaking,” senior safety Trey Dean III said. “In the Fall, it’s going to be a show.” Dean leads a promising secondary, now under the helm of renowned defensive backs coach Corey Raymond, who joined the Gators from LSU Dec. 9. Sophomore cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. impressed in moments as a true freshman and is poised for a breakout second season, while junior safety Rashad Torrence II thrived at times next to Dean in the defensive backfield. “Oh I’m excited about our group,” Toney said. “I think we’ve got a couple veterans back. I think we’ve got some young players that are ready to be tested.” Dean and the rest of the team will prove themselves in the intrasquad scrimmage,

Samantha Harrison // Alligator Staff

Louisiana transfer and running back Montrell Johnson hauls in a pass from Ohio State transfer Jack Miller. which will be broken into four, 15-minute quarters with a running clock. The clock will stop for the last four minutes of each quarter and after penalties, scores and changes of possession. Thursday night’s exhibition will stream live on SEC Network+. @Topher_Adams tadams@alligator.org

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