In some way, Denzel Aberdeen’s return to Florida feels like something out of a 2000s WCW storyline when they were obsessed with swerving people. Aberdeen was a good guy/face who was waiting in the wings to be the star, but then he became the bad guy/heel and switched to Florida’s mortal enemy, all while his dad cut a scathing promo on the way out the door, all for Aderdeen just to switch back to being a face and return to the spot he could have had in the first place.
If you don’t follow wrestling and would like this saga in simpler terms, fans have a right to feel frustrated and annoyed at the constant flip-flopping of teams, as some will claim, “There is no loyalty in college sports anymore.”
They are not wrong, but this is the new reality of college athletics to stay competitive.
Denzel Aberdeen set to return to Florida
It was reported yesterday by multiple outlets that Aberdeen is set to transfer back to Florida for the 2026-27 season, pending getting a waiver for a 5th year. Aberdeen’s argument is that he only played 41 minutes as a freshman and that shouldn’t wipe out an entire year of eligibility.
Assuming he does get cleared and is back, it bookends a rather awkward year between Aberdeen and Florida’s fan base. Aberdeen was the main rotational guard for Florida during its national title run and was on the court during the final minute against Houston, shooting free throws in a one-point game.Â
But once the confetti stopped falling, Aberdeen jumped ship to Kentucky. Indications were that the Wildcats were willing to pay him double what the Gators were. And frankly, if Aberdeen’s camp had just left it at a chance for a big payday, most Gator fans would have grumbled but would have understood that turning down $2 million isn’t exactly an easy choice.
It was the comments by his dad, Ian Aberdeen, on the way out the door though that really put a sour taste in everyone’s mouth.
So with that backdrop, why would Todd Golden take Denzel Aberdeen back?
Do what you have to do to win in 2027
Golden and the rest of Florida’s players were mostly complimentary of Aberdeen all year, whenever his name was brought up. While there may have been a couple of small jabs here and there, most within the program seemed to take the approach that business is business.
And while some can take the approach that once one leaves they aren’t welcomed back, the reality is that throughout the 2025-26 season, Aberdeen felt like the missing piece that would have rounded out Florida’s roster.
In crunch time this past season, the Gators just didn’t have a go-to scorer to close out games. So the options are:
A. Welcome Aberden back and potentially win a national title in 2027
B. Get knocked out by Iowa again in the second round
Once the ball tips off and the season begins, most fans put aside the backstories of where players came from. Because while Aberdeen might not be loyal, almost no one in college basketball is anymore. Three of Florida’s five starters in 2026 were transfers. Does that mean those guys aren’t loyal to their original school?
We said when Aberdeen left that if you ain’t a Gator, then you are Gator Bait.Â
Well, Abderdeen is back being Gator, and so we welcome him back to Gator Nation.