7-Foot-9 Florida Basketball Player Fails Football Tryout for Kick Block

Florida Gators basketball player Olivier Rioux, standing at 7-foot-9 and known as the world’s tallest teenager, recently tried out for the football team in an effort to block field goals and extra points using his height and wingspan. Despite the innovative attempt by football head coach Billy Napier, Rioux's limited 11-inch vertical leap prevented him from effectively blocking kicks, leading to disappointment from the coaching staff. Basketball coach Todd Golden praised the creative effort but confirmed Rioux will continue focusing on basketball, where his height remains a significant advantage. Rioux took a redshirt year in the 2024-25 basketball season and was part of Florida’s national championship run, although he did not play in games. The experiment highlights the Gators’ willingness to explore unique strategies on special teams, but ultimately Rioux’s skill set fits better on the basketball court. Meanwhile, recruiting battles for other top athletes, such as defensive tackle Elijah Golden, continue to draw attention in college football.