Todd Golden insists NCAA is causing chaos, says 2022 athletes ‘deserve to play’
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Todd Golden took a definitive stance on the issue of Class of 2022 athletes seeking an extra year of college eligibility Wednesday morning while speaking at the annual SEC Tipoff ahead of the start of the 2026-27 college basketball season.
The Florida Gators head coach accused the NCAA of causing the very chaos they are attempting to prevent by stopping 2022 athletes from gaining an extra year of eligibility, consistent with the NCAA’s own newly passed 5-in-5 eligibility model.
“I truly just believe the class of 2022 athletes deserve to play,” Golden said, via ESPN’s Myron Medcalf. “At this point, the NCAA is saying they’re trying to prevent chaos, but they’re actually causing it.”
Now, it’s important to mention that Golden absolutely has a dog in this race. Kentucky transfer and former Gator Denzel Aberdeen is a 2022 standout currently seeking an extra year of eligibility, and his veteran presence for the Gators would be absolutely massive as Florida chases another national title.
According to Golden, Aberdeen has “the best facts” of any player seeking a 5th season. Aberdeen appeared in 12 games but only played a combined 40 minutes for the Gators his freshman year in 2022-23.
Golden also mentioned that he’s confident Aberdeen will suit up for the Gators in 2026-27 while once again pointing the finger at the NCAA.
Florida is set to open its 2026 campaign on Nov. 2 against Miami in Tampa, Florida.
Ethan Stone is a Saturday Down South News Editor and an advocate for the return of the Seattle Supersonics.
