Seven Thursdays. Thirty-five Gators. One undeniable answer.
This summer, WRUF 98.1 counts down the 35 greatest athletes in University of Florida history — live, every Thursday from 2 to 3 PM, across seven consecutive weeks. Football, basketball, swimming, softball, golf, soccer, baseball, track and field — every sport that has defined what it means to be a Gator.
The list is not being released in advance. Five athletes revealed per episode, week by week, moving from #35 toward #1. Every reveal is an argument waiting to happen. That’s the show.
Running alongside the countdown all summer is the Greatest Gators Moments Bracket — a listener-voted competition to crown the single greatest moment in UF athletics history. Sixteen all-time moments seeded and bracketed. The bracket is revealed one quadrant at a time each Thursday. You vote. Results announced live on air. Champion revealed on the July 2 finale.
Every Episode, Every Week
Every 60-minute show runs four segments: the weekly countdown reveal with listener texts and YouTube live chat, a one-on-one interview with a Gators legend, the Bracket Report with live results from the Greatest Gators Moments vote, and open phones for you to call in.
The 35 — Revealed So Far
Five athletes revealed each Thursday. The list moves from No. 35 toward No. 1. Check back every week as the countdown continues.
Episode 1 — The Forgotten LegendsMay 14, 2026
35
James Bates
Football · Linebacker · 1992–96 • Senior captain of the 1996 national championship team
Football · Quarterback · 1984–87 • Walk-on to 1984 SEC Player of the Year as a freshman
32
Ike Hilliard
Football · Wide Receiver · 1994–96 • Three TDs in the 1997 Sugar Bowl, including the iconic “stop and pop”
31
Shane Matthews
Football · Quarterback · 1990–92 • Spurrier’s first QB • Two-time SEC Player of the Year • Led the 1991 SEC Championship
Episode 2 — The Championship BuildersMay 21, 2026
30
Errict Rhett
Football · Running Back · 1990–93 • Florida’s all-time leading rusher (4,163 career yards) • Sugar Bowl MVP
29
Brandon Spikes
Football · Linebacker · 2006–09 • Two-time BCS National Champion • Two-time consensus All-American (2008, 2009)
28
Cris Collinsworth
Football · Wide Receiver · 1977–80 • Three-time first-team All-SEC • Threw a 99-yard TD pass as a freshman — tied for the longest in NCAA history
27
Reggie Nelson
Football · Safety · 2004–06 • Consensus first-team All-American • Anchor of the 2006 BCS National Championship secondary
26
Kyle Pitts
Football · Tight End · 2018–20 • 2020 John Mackey Award • Highest-drafted tight end in NFL history (No. 4 overall, 2021)
Episode 3 — The Standard SettersMay 28, 2026
25
Rex Grossman
Football · Quarterback · 2000–02 • 2001 AP National Player of the Year • Lost the Heisman by 62 points
24
Wes Chandler
Football · Wide Receiver · 1974–77 • 21.3 career yards per catch — still a Florida record • College Football Hall of Fame
23
Carlos Alvarez
Football · Wide Receiver · 1969–71 • “The Cuban Comet” • SEC sophomore receiving records still stand after 55 years • College Football Hall of Fame
22
Percy Harvin
Football · Wide Receiver/Running Back · 2006–08 • Two-time BCS champion • Most total TDs by a Florida WR (32) • 2009 NFL Offensive ROY
21
Billy Horschel
Golf · 2005–09 • Two-time SEC Player of the Year • 2014 FedEx Cup champion • Two-time BMW PGA champion
Episode 4 — The Difference MakersJune 5, 2026
20
Lomas Brown
Football · Offensive Tackle · 1981–84 • Consensus All-American • Jacobs Blocking Trophy • College Football Hall of Fame • 7× Pro Bowl
19
Jevon Kearse
Football · Defensive End/Linebacker · 1995–98 • “The Freak” • 1998 SEC Defensive POY • 1999 NFL Defensive ROY (14.5 sacks)
18
Pete Alonso
Baseball · First Base · 2014–16 • MLB rookie HR record (53) • 2019 NL Rookie of the Year • 5× All-Star • Mets all-time HR leader
17
Brad Wilkerson
Baseball · Outfield/Pitcher · 1996–98 • 1998 National POY (Rotary Smith Award) • First in NCAA history: 20 HR, 10 wins, 20 SB in same season
16
Wilber Marshall
Football · Linebacker · 1980–83 • Two-time consensus All-American • Florida records: 343 tackles, 58 TFL, 23 sacks — all still stand • CFB Hall of Fame
Episode 5 — The Program PillarsJune 11, 2026
15
Al Horford
Basketball · Center/Power Forward · 2004–07 • 2× NCAA champion • 5× NBA All-Star • 2024 NBA champion
Football · Quarterback · 1993–96 • 1996 Heisman Trophy • 114 career TDs (Florida record) • 1996 National Champion • CFB Hall of Fame
12
Lauren Haeger
Softball · Pitcher/First Base · 2012–15 • 2× National Champion • 71 HR & 73 wins — only Babe Ruth has done both • 2015 National POY
11
Billy Donovan
Basketball · Head Coach · 1996–2015 • 2× NCAA champion (2006, 2007) • 467 wins (Florida record) • Only coach to repeat with same starting five in modern era
Episode 6
June 19 • No. 10–6
The Mount Rushmore Conversation
Episode 7 ⚡
July 2 • No. 5–1
The Greatest Gator of All Time
Listener Vote • Revealed Weekly
Greatest Gators Moments Bracket
Sixteen all-time Gator moments. A new matchup every Thursday at 2 PM. You vote. Champion revealed live on July 2.
