In the world of college athletics – which right now is both confusing and rewarding – careers are made by decisions.
It starts early with athletes deciding where they will visit, then where they will commit and finally where they sign. Nowadays, it’s a yearly decision about whether to stay or jump into the transfer portal.
Finally, it’s a decision for the elite (and some not so elite) to turn pro early or use all of their eligibility.
Trinity Thomas is facing that decision even though she has been amazing for four full years. Because she has a pandemic year she can still use, Thomas could return for a fifth season and use it as a bridge to the next Olympics.
Thomas would be one of those athletes in Florida history who could choose to leave and we would all say, “Thanks.” The voice would be loud, too, because she is in the argument for greatest gymnast ever at Florida and perhaps the NCAA.
We’ll wait for her to announce, but while we do that, let us look at 10 UF athletes who left early and most Gator fans just wanted to give them a hug and wish them well. They had done enough.
Today, the first five of the top 10 of those athletes. Tomorrow, the second five plus a few that we were wondering what they were thinking.
Tracy Caulkins
Porter Binks-USA TODAY NETWORK
Caulkins (now Tracy Stockwell) followed her sister Amy to UF and was as dominant a swimmer as you could be, especially because she excelled in all four strokes.
She won 16 NCAA titles and earned 21 All-American honors while leading Florida to the 1982 national title. She gave up her senior season to concentrate on the Olympics and ended up winning three gold medals during her career.
Grant Holloway
James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Holloway had an amazing three years at Florida and was unbeatable in the 60-meter hurdles, in which he is the world record-holder for the indoor event.
In the six NCAA Championships Florida had with…
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