With Florida delivering stunning news on Sunday, announcing that seven players would be ruled out of the season opener against the Michigan Wolverines - Jim McElwain discussed his take on the matter on Monday.
“First and foremost, obviously, we had some news come out this weekend about some guys disciplined due to their actions and choices,” explained McElwain. “It’s something that, you know, obviously, I’m very disappointed and at the same time, swift and quick action was taken. With that, we’ve had some guys not with us, been suspended from team activities, will not go to Michigan [game in Dallas] and will not play in that game. Anything further from there, obviously, we’ve got a of time now between then and whatever the next thing is. At that point, you guys read the statement and know what’s happening, we’ll kind of move from there.”
One of the players missing action is wide receiver Antonio Callaway, along with offensive lineman Kadeem Telfort, defensive lineman Jordan Smith, Keivonnis Davis, Richerd Desir-Jones, and linebackers James Houston and Ventrell Miller.
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McElwain says that his team has countered the negative news by showing great effort and intensity in Friday’s closed scrimmage in The Swamp.
"But I will say this, sometimes through some adversity or when things are a little rocky, it’s really interesting how you kind of see your team kind of gel together,” said McElwain. “And what do I mean by that? We had an unbelievable scrimmage on Friday and some guys really stepped up. It was great to see. There were some really good performances on both sides of the ball. I saw a unit, or a team unit, that you know what, really stepped up and played. And probably where I was more excited than anything was the actual day after the scrimmage which I talked to the guys about, even showed film of the past, where that next day guys were kind of moping around and feeling sorry for themselves from the 100 or whatever plays we were able to get in. And yet, you know what, they chose to come to the field and get better. That was really exciting. I think part of that is the youth we have and really that youth seeing an opportunity to get in and play. We had some guys make the team in that scrimmage and really the practices afterward.”
After being cleared of a sexual assault charge in a Title IX case in 2016, Callaway has dealt with drug-related issues off the field, the latest incident being cited for possession of marijuana in May of this year.
McElwain feels confident about his receiving corps and really believes when one man goes down, another man has to step up.
“Really, to see where we were in that scrimmage and then Saturday and Sunday, and to see the guys that have stepped up in those spots,” explained McElwain. “I thought Brandon Powell really showed up, especially in that scrimmage, which was great to see. Part of that is the quarterbacks got them the ball, right. And that’s part of it. I think when you look at Freddie (Swain) and Josh (Hammond) and what they have done, being able to cross-train now a little bit with Dre (Massey), who is back to 100 percent. It’s great to see him running. And Kadarius Toney, this guy is something. He needs to touch it. It’s pretty cool to see him out there.”
Injury Report
McElwain says that defensive lineman Jordan Sherit practiced in full-team activities over the weekend.
Gators defensive back McArthur Burnett will join the team for the first time this fall after dealing with an unspecified illness, which will be a boost to the depth of a very young secondary.
McElwain also said that the coaching staff held offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor out of Friday’s scrimmage due to a leg injury, but will be fine to rejoin the team for practice.
Defensive back C.J. McWilliams has been out with a hamstring issue and Quincy Lenton’s foot has flared up from an injury sustained in 2016.
Linebacker Kylan Johnson has dealt with a hamstring issue, but should be back soon, and McElwain says Garrett Stephens will be out for an extended amount of time.
Running back Mark Thompson suffered a minor shoulder injury on Sunday, that will keep him out of action today.
The Gators will add another weapon to the offense, as tight end C’yontai Lewis will be back at practice this afternoon.
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