Florida Gators Head into Spring Ball without Top WR Callaway and 2015 Starting QB Harris
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The Florida Gators roster is sure to look completely different when the 2016 season starts as opposed to the 2015 campaign. Starting running back Kelvin Taylor and his 1,000 yards entered the NFL Draft, six-game starting quarterback Will Grier has transferred and now the other eight-game starter Treon Harris along with leading wide receiver Antonio Callaway have been suspended.
The reality for Florida, a lot of players have left the roster for the NFL including All-American cornerback Vernon Hargreaves, defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard, defensive end Alex McCalister, and strong safety Keanu Neal – but that is the defensive side of the ball where the Gators have been strong for years and should be stout again in 2016. The offensive side of the ball has been the problem in recent years and the loss of key player personnel expected to contribute in 2016 makes life even tougher for head coach Jim McElwain.
McElwain addressed the media on Tuesday, the day before spring ball is set to begin, announcing the suspension of Treon Harris and Antonio Callaway. McElwain addressed it and then cut the conversation short stating, “We’re without a couple of guys who haven’t been with our team since January in Treon and Antonio. They’re still doing some school work and that kind of stuff but they haven’t been with us since January and they won’t be with us as we’re rolling, so you won’t see those guys out there at practice. Guys, that’ll be the last that we talk about that.”
McElwain refused to answer any questions about the suspension of Harris or Callaway only leading to speculation as to why. Per reports, neither player has been arrested or is currently part of a criminal investigation in the Gainesville area. Due to federal and state privacy laws, both players could be under investigation of university code of conduct violations waiting for a hearing without the general public knowing the details of the situation.
Gator fans may not be as upset about Harris’ suspension, he was already set to move from quarterback to wide receiver before spring practices began. Callaway on the other hand, his loss would be a big blow to Florida’s passing attack should he not return to the team this year. Playing as a true freshman in 2015, Callaway had 35 receptions for a team-leading 678 yards with a tied team-high four touchdowns. Callaway’s loss would be compounded after Damarcus Robinson left the team in the offseason as an early NFL Draft entry. Robinson had a team-high 48 receptions for 522 yards with two scores. Another pass catching threat, tight end Jake McGee is also off to the NFL. McGee was a team leader with 41 receptions for 381 yards with four scores.
Adding a little bit more to the loss of a big playmaker, Callaway lead the team with 28 punt returns covering 435 yards with a long of 85 yards taking two in total back for scores.
Junior receiver Brandon Powell is the most experienced receiver returning having pulled in 29 passes for 390 yards with three scores in 2015.
Photo credit: orlandosentinel.com; No. 81 Antonio Callaway breaks free against Kentucky.