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Florida WR Tank Hawkins opts out for rest of the season to redshirt

On3 imageby: Zach Abolverdi5 hours agoZachAbolverdi
Tank-Hawkins-Florida-Gators
Florida Gators wide receiver Tank Hawkins (10) runs with the ball against the UCF Knights during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. (Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

The Florida Gators have lost another wide receiver for the season. The latest loss is sophomore Tank Hawkins, but this time it’s by choice.

Hawkins has decided to opt out for the rest of the 2025 season to redshirt and preserve his year of eligibility, Gators Online has confirmed. UF interim coach Billy Gonzales confirmed the news after Saturday’s 38-7 Gators loss to Kentucky.

“Tank came up, very professional,” Gonzales said. “He came out and asked if he could preserve his redshirt. Absolutely. I said I 100 percent honor it. So at this point yes.”

The news was first reported by SEC Network play-by-play announcer Tom Hart, who revealed it during the first quarter of the Florida-Kentucky game.

Hawkins has appeared in four games this season with two catches for 16 yards. It’s unclear if he intends to transfer after the portal opens on Jan. 2.

The Gators are also without redshirt sophomore Eugene Wilson III and freshman Dallas Wilson, who’s out for the rest of the season with a foot injury.

“I think everybody has an opportunity to excel, and that’s a spot that’s somebody is vacated a little bit based on injury,” Gonzales said of the WR position. “So you look for the guys to step up … hopefully the guys that are behind them, whether it’s Naeshaun [Montgomery], TJ [Abrams], Muizz [Tounkara], the guys that are behind, that haven’t had a lot of playing time. In my opinion, they should be ready for Week 11.”

The 5-foot-9.5, 178-pound Hawkins appeared in seven games as a true freshman last season. He made 10 receptions for 100 yards and one touchdown while rushing three times for 11 yards.

“Man, I like Tank,” former Florida coach Billy Napier said of Hawkins. “I think he’s tough for a little guy. He’s really worked on his stature. I think he’s added some density to his frame. He plays big, he plays tough. He’ll put his face in there. He’s really done a nice job improving as a punt returner. And then his route tree, his detail. I think we saw that in the back half of the year, and in spring, he just kept putting good routes on the tape.

“I think the skill level has improved. So, he had a nice day in the stadium the other day (in preseason camp), caught a couple good balls. So, we need Tank to come alive here to create some depth in that room. He can create explosive plays. We’re talking 10.3 100-meter, and he plays fast. So, we need him to keep bringing that toughness and that detail in his route running.”

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