Off-Field Turmoil: Florida Parts Ways with Freshman DL Stephon Shivers After Arrest
Unfortunately, we have some tough news to report, the kind nobody wants to see. Florida freshman defensive lineman Stephon Shivers is no longer with the team following a recent arrest, according to a report by Graham Hall of 247Sports. This is a concerning development for both Shivers and the Gators program.
The Incident and Charges
Shivers was reportedly arrested two weeks ago on a third-degree felony charge of false imprisonment. While an Alachua County judge had placed him on house arrest, allowing him to attend classes and team practices, Florida has now made the decision to part ways with him, at least for the time being.
The alleged incident occurred on June 1. According to a Gainesville Police Department report, the situation escalated after Shivers reportedly found information on the alleged victim's phone, which then turned physical. The report further alleges that Stephon Shivers held the victim down on a bed, shook her, and then got on top and began choking her to the point she could not breathe. The Gainesville Sun highlighted the significant size difference, noting that "at close to 400 pounds, the accused outweighed the alleged victim by more than 200 pounds."
The alleged victim then attempted to leave, but Shivers reportedly blocked the doorway and subsequently threw her black iPhone 16 Pro against the wall. While Shivers admitted to police that he threw the phone, he denied choking the victim or preventing her from leaving. However, "arresting officers noticed lacerations and wounds on the face of the alleged victim that were still visible and bleeding."
Florida's Response and Shivers' Background
A Florida spokesman acknowledged the arrest when contacted by the Gainesville Sun, stating, "We will continue to gather facts, cooperate with and monitor the legal and administrative process."
Before enrolling at Florida, Stephon Shivers was a three-star prospect, ranked as the No. 497 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class. He was considered the No. 51 defensive lineman in his class and the No. 17 overall player from Tennessee, hailing from Brentwood Academy in Humboldt.
This is a serious situation, and while the legal process is ongoing, the immediate consequence for Shivers is his separation from the team. We'll continue to monitor this developing story.
