We’re less than three weeks away from the unofficial first week of college football. One of the premiere games on that Saturday, September 2 will be a Texas-sized showdown in Arlington between the Michigan Wolverines and the Florida Gators.
Michigan is already a slight favorite as it stands on Sunday. However, some big news could really change that line right quick. Florida has announced the suspension of seven players for that season opener against the Wolverines.
#Gators suspended star WR Antonio Callaway, six others for season opener vs. Michigan – https://t.co/RejI0sXwVV pic.twitter.com/5xscGTE3A4
— Thomas Goldkamp (@ThomasGoldkamp) August 13, 2017
As Thomas Goldkamp points out, the biggest notable name on the suspension list is junior wide receiver Antonio Callaway. The former 3-star prospect led the team in receiving yards (721) and tied in touchdown catches (3) for what was, at times, an offensively-challenged Gators team in 2016.
Head coach Jim McElwain had this to say in a formal statement:
“We have a small group of players that have made some choices that are extremely disappointing,” coach Jim McElwain said in a press release. “Action has been taken – they have missed some practice and will miss the Michigan game. We will use this as a learning opportunity and we will have some players step up as we move forward.”
Here are the other players suspended for the opener against Michigan on September 2 (with 2016 stats):
- DE Keivonnis Davis – 27 tackles, 1.5 sacks
- OL Richerd Desir-Jones – Played in two games
- LB James Houston – First year at Florida
- LB Ventrell Miller – First year at Florida
- DL Jordan Smith – Redshirted as FR last season
- OT Kadeem Telfort – First year at Florida
Reasons for the suspensions handed down have not been formally announced, but sources are saying it has to do with “misuse of school-issued funds intended for specific use.”
