A University of Florida spokesperson has confirmed that Florida Gators defensive lineman Nick Alajajian’s college career is over.
The senior missed the entire season after suffering a fractured knee early in fall camp. He likely would have been granted a medical hardship had he applied as he had not used a redshirt season.
Alajajian reportedly did not make the trip with the Gators to the Sugar Bowl, a 33-23 loss against Louisville in New Orleans last Wednesday.
It initially appeared Alajajian was trying to return based on a couple of his recent tweets.
On Sunday, the day before the team was scheduled to begin offseason workouts, Aljajian tweeted “ALMOST GRIND TIME!” from his @BigNick58 account.
Then on Jan. 4, he tweeted, “Like my dawg @EOrange25 said 2013 a big year for us. #2013comebackyear LETSSGETITTT”
On Dec. 31, he tweeted: “Cant wait to prove so many people wrong!!! #Focused like i got two brainnnssss!!! #BigManSwagg…”
The back on Dec. 13, he tweeted, “Jus gotta get right n bounce back n shock the world!!!”
While those tweets appeared to suggest Alajajian was planning to return, it apparently was not meant to be.
Alajajian switched from offensive line to defensive line in the offseason after making his only career start at left tackle in the 2011 Gator Bowl. He appeared in 32 career games, mostly on special teams and as a back-up offensive lineman.
He was a U.S. Army All American out of Naples, Fla. Rivals ranked him as the No. 4 offensive tackle in the country and Scout rated him a five-star prospect.