Spring Break With a Plan: 16 UF Players in Vegas Through GatorMade

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — For many college football players, the focus is simple: perform well enough to reach the NFL. Strength, speed and physical development dominate the daily routine.

At the University of Florida, players are encouraged through the GatorMade program to develop professional skills and leadership qualities that can shape both their football careers and their lives post-football.

During UF spring break, 16 Florida football scholar-athletes are in Las Vegas as part of the GatorMade initiative, a professional development program designed to expose players to industries, networking opportunities and leadership experiences outside the football field.

The group will spend its time visiting several organizations across the city from March 14-18:

Las Vegas Metro Police Department – city safety and careers with law enforcement.

NASCAR during Pennzoil 400 – many pit crews are made of former collegiate athletes; growing athlete ownership of racing teams.

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority – operations behind the many events that come to the city, including the 2026 CFP National Championship.

Las Vegas Raiders – careers beyond playing for an NFL team, such as operations and front office staff.

AGS – former player Adam Whitehurst to share in the tech side of gaming and coordinate a networking mixer of former college athletes who now work in the city.

Colliers – commercial real estate giant.

UFC – visiting the Performance Institute for the resources provided to athletes and the many careers that support and organize the competitions.

For Gators offensive line coach Phil Trautwein, a former UF player who won two national championships with the program, opportunities like this represent something he never had during his playing days.

"I think it's something that I wish we had," Trautwein said. "It could have helped a couple of the guys I played with."

Trautwein, who returned to UF as one of head coach Jon Sumrall's first hires, views GatorMade as a way to help players develop a broader perspective while they are still competing.

"Life is bigger than just football," he said.

That message extends beyond trips like the one to Las Vegas. Trautwein frequently invites his offensive linemen to his home, creating an environment where players can build relationships away from the structure of practices and meetings. Those moments, he believes, help players see each other as individuals rather than simply teammates preparing for the next opponent. For players participating in the Las Vegas trip, the experience offers both professional exposure and a chance to strengthen those connections. Redshirt junior offensive lineman Caden Jones will be among the players traveling west.

A sports management major, Jones said he is particularly interested in visiting the Raiders organization and learning how a professional football franchise operates beyond the field.

"When I'm done with football, I want to run businesses," Jones said.

While playing in the NFL remains a lifelong goal, Jones explained that seeing the business side of sports can provide a valuable perspective for the future. Understanding how organizations operate is something players rarely encounter during their playing careers.

Defensive lineman Sebastian Scott is also making the trip and said the opportunity to connect with professionals in different industries played a major role in his decision to participate.

"I want to improve my professional development and improve my networking skills," Scott said.

Scott previously participated in a GatorMade trip to Dallas. He explained that he learned to introduce himself in a professional setting and improved his public speaking skills, which haven't come easily to him.

Scott shared that he is most personally excited about the NASCAR visit, stating that many NASCAR pit crews are made entirely of retired athletes.

Scott also emphasized that the lessons from programs like GatorMade can also influence players' football futures. Professional teams increasingly evaluate athletes based on more than just on-field performance. Leadership ability, communication skills and how players present themselves in professional settings can all play a role in shaping opportunities at the next level.

"The NFL wants to see how you are as a person," Scott said.

Learning how to communicate, network and represent oneself professionally, he added, can help athletes develop the qualities organizations look for when evaluating potential players and leaders.

Beyond the professional development opportunities, the trip also provides something players do not always get during the intensity of a football season: time together away from the facility.

"When you spend time with each other outside of the building, that's when you really grow and trust your teammates," Scott said.

Getting to know teammates on a more personal level can deepen relationships that matter in the heat of the moment on Saturday afternoons.

"The more you know about someone outside of football, the harder you work for them on the field," Scott said.

The trip to Las Vegas gives Florida players a chance to step outside their normal routine, gain insight into different industries, careers, and professional environments, and benefit from the natural team bonding that is sure to carry over to the field.

For the 16 Gators making the trip, their spring break has a more intentional purpose than just having fun on the Vegas Strip.

Click here to read article