Florida's 7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux, the world's tallest teen, works out for Gators' football team

Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel on Jul 25, 2025

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Gators 7-foot-9 center Olivier Rioux might one day have the makings of a two-sport athlete, just not yet.

Special teams coach Joe Houston figured it was worth finding out whether the world’s tallest teenager could become a secret weapon on the gridiron.

Rioux took a break from basketball, where he remains a long-term project for UF coach Todd Golden, to try his hand at blocking field goals and extra points for the Gators’ football team. The 19-year-old Canadian’s tryout didn’t earn him a role for the 2025 Gators, but there still could be time.

“I like the idea,” Golden said Thursday night. “I give them credit for trying it.”

A video shared by a UF assistant coach showed the 305-pound Rioux in an orange helmet struggling to time his modest 11-inch vertical leap and Condor-like wingspan — good enough to nearly touch a 10-foot rim without jumping — with the football sailing overhead. But he was unable to block any kicks during the workout.

Neither did the 2024 Gators. In Napier’s three seasons, UF has managed just three blocks, one reason Rioux likely was given a look.

“They were a little disappointed,” Golden allowed.

For now, Rioux can place his sole focus on basketball, where much work remains.

The native of Quebec, who attended at IMG Academy in Bradenton, recently played for the Under-19 Canadian national team. He averaged 1.6 points, 2 rebounds and 0.6 blocked shots in 9.1 minutes during the team’s seven games.

Rioux enters his redshirt freshman season with the Gators pushing to even get on the court during mop-up time when games are decided.

“Both our program and him understand that it’s a long road for him,” Golden told the Orlando Sentinel at the SEC Spring Meetings in late May. “His best basketball might be down the road.”

The ever-inventive, cutting-edge Golden, 40, could potentially play Rioux in special situations.

During a matchup with the U.S. U-19 squad, Canada coach Ramon Diaz had Rioux cover the inbound passer just before halftime, leading to a turnover and buzzer-beating 3-pointer for his team.