As the Florida Gators take on the Kentucky Wildcats, leave it to the SEC Network broadcast that YouTube TV subscribers can't access to drop a bombshell on Florida fans:
Sophomore WR Tank Hawkins has opted out of the rest of the 2025 campaign in order to preserve his redshirt status.
For a guy who was wide open for a TD last week against Georgia and was a guy we had hyped up ever since he committed to Florida, this is disappointing. It's also a reminder of the realities of the modern era in college football.
Tank Hawkins has opted out, according to ESPN
If you are not the most tuned-in Florida Gator fan, it is understandable why you wouldn't know who Hawkins is. He's a four-star prospect out of West Virginia who ran a 10.37-second 100-meter dash as a junior in high school.
He wound up at IMG and committed to the Gators under Billy Napier.
But Hawkins never found a consistent home at Florida during his first year and a half and was seldom seen on the field.
Given the injuries to the wide receiver group over the past couple of weeks, there was a pathway for Hawkins to make an impact against Kentucky, but the annouers on the SEC Network dropped a nugget that seemingly hadn't been prior knowledge before the game:
Tank Hawkins is opting out for the rest of the 2025 season to perserve his redshirt.
Hawkins has only appeared in four games prior to tonight, and since he has appeared in more than four games in 2024, he still had the option to sit out and preserve a year of eligibility.
It's disappointing considering the speed Hawkins brings to the table.
It's also the reality of the modern college football era, even if it is one that nobody has to like.