Callaway will play in opener, others suspended against UMass
During his Monday press conference, Jim McElwain said that Antonio Callaway will play in Florida’s season-opener against UMass and that Tyrie Cleveland and Rick Wells will miss the game.
Callaway, who was found not responsible in his Title IX sexual assault hearing, has been a full participant in fall camp and returned to team activities in June after being suspended for spring practices.
“He should be ready to go,” McElwain said Monday. “That guy’s a pretty good player. I think that’s pretty good.”
In Callaway, Florida has perhaps its most dynamic offensive weapon at receiver and a key contributor in the return game. Callaway caught 35 balls for 678 yards and four touchdowns while scoring twice on punt return touchdowns as a true freshman.
McElwain learned from the university on Friday that Callaway would be available for the opener.
“We’re fired up to have Antonio in the lineup,” quarterback Luke Del Rio said Monday. “He’s done a tremendous job in practice. He’s been consistent every day, he’s worked really hard to get in shape. When he came back, we embraced him with open arms and he did a great job of getting back into the groove. It can be difficult for some people. Definitely going to be an advantage to have him out there because he’s such a great player on offense and on special teams. It’ll be pretty fun.”
Added UMass coach Mark Whipple: "Callaway scares you. We don't have the guys that Alabama has, and he runs through those guys like sliced cheese."
Meanwhile, Cleveland and Wells have missed recent practices with hamstring injuries but also have had legal trouble currently hanging over their heads. Both players were arrested in July for property damage and criminal mischief involving an incident with BB guns on UF’s campus at Keys residential housing. The case still remains open.
Cornerback Jalen Tabor and tight end C’yontai Lewis also remain suspended for the season-opener because of their practice altercation in fall camp.
McElwain also said that a senior who "made some choices" would miss the UMass game but didn’t clarify who that was.
INJURY UPDATE
McElwain said that wide receiver C.J. Worton (high ankle sprain) would practice Monday but with limited reps.
"We’ll kind of see how he is," McElwain said. "Too early to tell really on Worton yet, but he hadn't gone in a long time, so this first three days will be the telling thing. I'll let you know on Wednesday on that for sure."
McElwain said that running back Jordan Cronkrite (concussion) and offensive tackle Andrew Mike (hamstring) are both back practicing after missing time with their respective injuries.
Meanwhile, tight end DeAndre Goolsby is "still a little banged up," according to McElwain. "I’m expecting him to be able to go as we get going through later in the week," he added.