ORLANDO — The Florida Gators will be without freshman running back Jordan Scarlett when they take on the Michigan Wolverines this Friday in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl. Scarlett, who didn’t make the trip to Orlando with the rest of the team was cited for misdemeanor possession of marijuana under 20 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia on Keys dormitory on December 19.
“He’s not going to play in the game but he’ll be back with this team,” head coach Jim McElwain said on Tuesday. “He’s a great kid and handled it the way you should handle it. Stood up, honest, and I’m proud of him for that. But he’ll be back with us as we get going for winter classes.”
Scarlett is missing out on an opportunity to put his best foot forward heading into next season. The freshman was fifth on the team in carries behind Kelvin Taylor, Treon Harris, Jordan Cronkrite and Will Grier, but could have used the bowl game as a step forward.
Instead, Scarlett’s sophomore campaign will begin by watching his teammates play in a bowl game and when he rejoins the team on January 5, JUCO running back Mark Thompson will be on campus, chomping at the bit to get going.
It’s all part of the culture change that Jim McElwain and the Gators are
Bringing about in Gainesville. For Scarlett, a missed opportunity but the door won’t close on his career in Gainesville.
“You’re held to the same standard as he is, as I am, as we go through life,” said McElwain. “We’re all held to a certain standard. Our standards are becoming very clear and guys are doing a great job with it.”