Skip to main content
Florida

DL Stephon Shivers dismissed from the Florida Gators after arrest

On3 imageby: Zach Abolverdi06/16/25ZachAbolverdi
Stephon-Shivers-Florida-Gators
Florida DL Stephon Shivers. (Keith Niebuhr)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida true freshman defensive lineman Stephon Shivers has been dismissed from the football team after his recent arrest, Gators Online confirmed on Monday. Shivers is no longer listed on UF’s 2025 roster.

Shivers, 17, was arrested on a third-degree felony charge of false imprisonment (dating violence) after a physical altercation on June 1 with an alleged female victim, who reportedly spoke at his first appearance.

Shivers was placed under house arrest on June 4. The judge allowed for him to attend school and football obligations but imposed a strict no-contact order with the alleged victim, according to The Gainesville Sun.

The arrest report, which was obtained by The Sun, said there was a physical altercation between Shivers and the alleged victim over her cell phone. The alleged victim accused him of choking and hitting her, blocking the doorway so she couldn’t exit the room and throwing her phone, the police report said.

After being read his Miranda Rights, Shivers denied choking the victim and preventing her from leaving the room, according to the report. He admitted to police that he threw her cell phone. The report states that arresting officers noticed lacerations and wounds on the alleged victim’s face.

The maximum penalty for false imprisonment in the state of Florida is up to five years in prison and a fine of $5,000. 

Stephon Shivers background

Shivers was committed to Georgia for much of 2024 before reopening his recruitment last November. That led to Florida receiving an official visit down the stretch and ultimately landing him. 

He totaled 90 tackles (20 TFLs) and 11 sacks in the 2023 season while also seeing snaps at running back and offensive tackle. He also played basketball at Brentwood Academy in Humboldt, Tenn.

Shivers was a three-star recruit and ranked the nation’s No. 51 defensive lineman in the On3 Industry rankings. He’s 6-foot-4 and 399 pounds.

“Big Shivers. We’re losing big Des in camp. I think we were looking for a big man in there that could play nose,” Florida coach Billy Napier said after Shivers signed. “I think a big, long guy. When is the last time you’ve seen a 380-pound guy run a 75-yard touchdown? The guy is running the ball on Friday Nights. Just a big, athletic guy. Guy scored 1,400 points in basketball now. Elite basketball player. Just a unique situation there and an athlete. Got a lot of upside.”

You may also like