Skylar Draser was one of three athletes removed from the gymnastics team at Florida. She released a lengthy statement on Instagram to address some of the false rumors about the sudden roster change.
A tangible reason for this surprising ouster has yet to be released by the university.
With the college gymnastics season just a few months away, there are glaring issues in Gainesville. What happened?!
Three gymnasts were kicked off of the team at Florida.
The 2027 college gymnastics season is set to begin on Jan. 9, 2026— exactly three months and two days after the unexpected shakeup at the University of Florida. Senior Skylar Draser and juniors Ly Bui and Lily Bruce were removed from the roster on Wednesday, Oct. 7. It is unclear as to why. A reason for the surprising release has not been shared publicly.
Head coach Jenny Rowland gave the following statement:
“We wish them well moving forward. Our focus remains on supporting our athletes and maintaining a team culture built on accountability, respect and commitment.”
That was it. No further information was provided. All we know is that Draser, Bui and Bruce are no longer on the team.
The timing is unfortunate. The Gators are ranked No. 3 in the USA Gymnastics preseason rankings. They received four first place votes. All three athletes that were removed from the roster were supposed to play an important role in 2027.
Bui was an all-around gymnast who competed in vault, bars and beam. She hit a career high of 9.925 on the vault before she hyperextended her knee and missed the rest of last season. Bruce was more of an alternate.
And then there is (was?) Draser. The true senior competed in all four events and led off on the beam at most meets. She hit career highs of 9.95 on both vault and beam, and contributed heavily to Florida’s top-four finish in 2026— especially as a leader.
All three athletes won’t compete for the Gators in 2027. Why? Nobody knows.
Skylar Draser shut down the rumors.
Given the cryptic nature of this sudden split, there were a lot of theories about what happened. Rumors ran wild on the internet. Were the athletes kicked off of the team for bad behavior? Did they leave on their own accord?
We still don’t know those answers. However, Skylar Draser released a statement to set the record straight. Kind of. It did not provide a lot of clarity.
With that being said, Draser specifically used the words “stepping away,” as if it was her decision to leave. Never did she expect to not compete for the Gators during her senior season of college gymnastics.
“Three years ago, I came to Florida with a dream. Looking back, I never could have imagined everything these years would bring.
“This journey gave me some incredible memories, friendships, and experiences of which I am so grateful for while also challenging me in ways I never expected. There were moments that tested my confidence and strength, but my love for this sport never wavered. Every challenge, setback, and moment of uncertainty has shaped who I am today.
“If you told little Skylar who committed to Florida in 8th grade that this is how this chapter would end, she never would have believed you. Simply put I made my commitment to UF at such a young age and gave EVERYTHING to the best of my ability to stay true to that commitment even when I questioned my happiness and whether this was truly where I belonged.
“I never imagined that stepping away from Florida in the middle of my final year would mean seeing my name circulating online attached to so many hurtful, and disturbing false narratives. It is heartbreaking to see people create stories about situations they know nothing about. While I cannot control what others choose to say or believe, I know the truth, I know my character, and I know what I gave to this program. I am also so blessed to have the best family support through one of the most challenging times in my life.”
Draser is not done with the sport. Just Florida.
“As difficult as this chapter has been, I refuse to let it define me. I will learn from it, hold myself accountable, grow through it, and come out stronger. I have learned how to keep showing up when things are hard, find strength in uncertainty, and believe in myself when the path ahead looks nothing like I imagined. This sport has shaped me in countless ways, but it does not define my worth or who I am. I know who I am, I know what I deserve, and I am proud of the person I am walking away as.
“With that, I will graduate in December and have decided to enter the transfer portal as a graduate transfer, with this season and my fifth year of eligibility remaining.
“I know I still have so much more to give to this sport. I am excited for the opportunity to continue competing at a high level, experience a new environment, build new relationships, and continue growing as both a gymnast and a young woman.
“Although this chapter did not end the way I once dreamed it would I am leaving Florida with lessons I never expected to learn, strength I never knew I had, and a renewed belief that everything happens for a reason. I’ll forever be grateful for the memories, the lessons and the people Florida brought into my life. I’m closing this chapter with gratitude and walking into the next one with an open heart, a lot of faith and so much excitement for what’s ahead
“Here’s to new beginnings, finding where I belong, and giving everything I have to a program that believes in its athletes as people, supports them through adversity, invests in their growth, and holds everyone to the same standards.”
Notice that last sentence. Draser took a direct shot at the Gators coaching staff, which apparently does not believe in its athletes, support them, or hold them to the same standards.
To make things even more intersting, former Florida gymnast Payton Richards commented on Draser’s Instagram post:
She responded: “if only people knew the truth about gator gym you’re amazing my girl” with a bunch of emojis. But what does it mean? We still don’t know!