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Two former Florida players are now at odds after ugly UFL hit

Elijhah Badger took a late hit from Trey Dean
ByBenjamin Henderson|
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Dec 20, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Elijhah Badger (6) runs with the ball against the Tulane Green Wave during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Dec 20, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Elijhah Badger (6) runs with the ball against the Tulane Green Wave during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Elijhah Badger and Trey Dean never formally crossed paths during their time with the Gators. Badger was only with Florida for the 2024 season, while Dean was a mainstay from 2018 through 2022. Both players went undrafted, and both players had brief looks by the NFL, but ultimately, both players have settled in the UFL, a spring league that tries to ultimately give players a pathway to the NFL.

Badger’s Orlando Storm and Dean’s St. Louis Battlehawks squared off over the weekend and the end result left Badger not being much of a fan of Dean.

Gator on Gator beef defines UFL’s weekend

During the second half, Badger caught a pass for a first down and was then nudged out of bounds by St. Louis defenders. It was at this point, as Badger was standing at a complete standstill out of bounds, that Dean came in with a full head of steam and blasted Badger with a late hit that immediately drew reactions from everyone involved.

Dean was ejected for the hit.

After the game, Badger took to social media and simply replied to the clip with a set of emojis that implied “trash.”

But Badger wasn’t done, and he then dug up one of Dean’s more infamous moments as a Gator during the 2020 SEC Championship Game. Badger pulled up the play where Dean made an interception, only to get blasted by Alabama wide receiver John Metchie, causing a fumble right back to the Crimson Tide.

Par for the course

Let’s be honest, this UFL incident doesn’t shock anyone who watched Dean over the years at Florida. He was a hard, physical player who tended to value the big hit over playing sound defense. He loved to flex on opponents even after the other team would get a first down, and even by his senior year, his coverage busts did him no favors.

Badger felt like a guy who should have gotten a better shot at the NFL than the one he got with Kansas City last year. He has emerged as Orlando’s top wide receiver with 308 yards and two touchdowns in five games for the 4-1 Storm.

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