Florida head coach Billy Napier decided to get creative prior to the 2025 college football season and tried to transform college basketball phenom Olivier Rioux into a kick-blocking specialist. The extremely tall center recently joined the Gators on the gridiron for something of an experimental tryout.
It did not go as planned.
Rioux, who does not have any prior experience playing college football or any level of American football, does not jump high enough to be effective. His vertical held him back.
Who is Olivier Rioux?
At 7-foot-9, Rioux was recognized as the “world’s tallest teenager” during his high school basketball career in Canada. He later moved to Florida to play for IMG.
Gators head basketball coach Todd Golden put on the full-court press throughout the recruiting process and ultimately received his commitment. They decided, together, that he would redshirt last season.
Although Olivier Rioux did not see the court in 2024-25, his presence in the gym was overwhelming. The true freshman made his (large) teammates look minuscule upon arrival to campus. He barely fits on the bench. He did not need a ladder to cut down the nets after the SEC or national championships.
Can he play football at Florida?
There is nothing to stop Olivier Rioux from playing more than one sport for the Gators. Two-sport athletes are not uncommon. Football players often join the basketball program after their season comes to an end. This kind of transition would not be out of the ordinary.
However, it does not sound like that is going to happen with the 7-foot-9 19-year-old.
Rioux recently worked out with Florida’s football team and took snaps on special teams. According to ESPN, he wore a helmet and everything. It was a full-blown tryout.
The thought was that his height could be used to block extra points and field goals. Every point matters!
Nope. He doesn’t jump high enough.
At 305 pounds, Rioux jumps only 11 inches off of the ground. So even with his height and wingspan, he was unable to block a single kick.
Olivier Rioux is going to stick to basketball. The Gators return their entire frontcourt from a year ago so his minutes will be limited but you should expect to see him on the hardwood. Not the gridiron.