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Florida Dismisses DL Stephon Shivers Following Arrest

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jordan Merritt | Last updated Jun 16, 2025 2:38 PM ET

The Florida Gators have dismissed defensive lineman Stephin Shivers from the program following his arrest, according to On3's Gators Online, which cited a team spokesperson.

It comes over two weeks after Shivers was arrested on a third-degree felony charge of false imprisonment on June 1, following a physical altercation with an alleged female victim. However, the program appears to have cut ties with the freshman, who has been removed from the roster. The maximum penalty for false imprisonment in the state of Florida is up to five years in prison and a fine of $5,000.

Shivers was a 2025 recruit who committed to the Gators after previously being committed to the Georgia Bulldogs. He was a three-star prospect and ranked No. 51 among defensive linemen in the On3 Industry rankings. In his season at Brentwood Academy College in 2023, he finished with stats of 90 tackles (20 TFLs) and 11 sacks.

The Florida Gators had previously released a statement following the incident earlier in the month, in which he was also placed on house arrest.

"We are aware of the situation with one of our student-athletes. We will continue to gather facts, cooperate with and monitor the legal and administrative processes," via a team spokesman.

Big things were expected of Shivers this season, with head coach Billy Napier believing he could make a significant difference in 2025 on the defensive line, saying he had a lot of upside."

"When was 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," Napier said during spring camp.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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