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Matt Baker - Colleges and Recruiting Reporter

Colleges and Recruiting Reporter

I love college football more than everything but my son, my wife and my dog, so I have the perfect job covering the sport for the Tampa Bay Times. Even though I grew up in a basketball state (Indiana) and graduated from a non-football power (Northwestern University), I’m fascinated by the game, the traditions and the pageantry. I joined the Times in July 2011 after stops at the Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader and Tulsa (Okla.) World. Since then, I’ve covered almost everything — high schools, the Bucs, the Rays, the Lightning and auto racing — before becoming a full-time college sports reporter before the 2015. When I’m not working, I’m usually on a run, chasing a toddler around and waiting for kickoff.

  1. DJ Uiagalelei played against Florida State for Clemson and has joined the FSU football team this offseason.
  2. Kevin Sumlin was arrested on a DUI complaint in Hillsborough County in October. He pleaded no contest to a lesser charge this week.
  3. USF has had the biggest collective improvement in football and men's basketball of any team in the nation.
  4. Florida State and the ACC continue their lawsuits against each other.
  5. Florida Gators executive head coach Ron Roberts was one of Billy Napier's big personnel moves this offseason.
  6. The ACC and Florida State remain in litigation.
  7. Josef Newgarden won IndyCar's season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
  8. Gulfport driver Nikita Johnson and Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev celebrate Johnson's USF Pro 2000 race win at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Sergachev is a family friend of the Johnsons.
  9. Nikita Johnson is seen on pit lane before the start of the USF Pro 2000 race Saturday in downtown St. Petersburg.
  10. The No. 10 IndyCar of Alex Palou makes its way to the track for the start of a practice session Friday in downtown St. Petersburg.
  11. Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) is one of the top recruits in program history. He made his UF debut in Thursday's spring practice.
  12. Six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon will try to win the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in his 20th attempt.
  13. Florida Gators receiver Tre Wilson is among the young players who gained valuable experience for Billy Napier last season.
  14. USF football has started its second spring practice under Bulls coach Alex Golesh.
  15. IndyCar returns this week for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
  16. IndyCar, St. Petersburg and the Grand Prix have changed a lot since the 2005 event.
  17. USF football fans learned the Bulls' 2024 schedule Thursday.
  18. Jon Bon Jovi is scheduled to participate in the upcoming Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, the IndyCar season opener.
  19. Florida State football coach Mike Norvell received a $2.5 million raise this year.
  20. The USF men's basketball team has cracked the top 25 in both polls for the first time ever.
  21. FSU football added Roydell Williams through the transfer portal from Alabama. He's one of five former Crimson Tide players who jointed Florida State.
  22. Florida is discussing how high school athletes could make name, image and likeness (NIL) deals.
  23. Sports betting had an immediate presence at the Daytona 500. The Hard Rock Bet app had signs just through the gates.