Add Jordan Scarlett and Rick Wells to the already long list of Florida Gators who are suspended for the season opener against Michigan.
UF announced on Wednesday that Rick Wells, who is injured, and starting running back Jordan Scarlett, were “immediately suspended from team activities” and would not play this week against Michigan.
“Early this afternoon we were made aware of a couple of more guys, and obviously one of those is Jordan Scarlett that won’t be going with us this week and won’t be part of any team activities, as the other guys have not been until, you know, whatever it is resolved,” McElwain said following Florida’s practice on Wednesday.
These two new suspensions are related to the seven suspensions handed down on August 14, for alleged misuse of school funds. New information came to light on Wednesday after McElwain’s weekly SEC teleconference obligation and he acted swiftly to suspend both players. In total nine players (Antonio Callaway, Keivonnis Davis, James Houston, Ventrell Miller, Richerd Desir-Jones, Kadeem Telfort and Jordan Smith) have been suspended for their involvement in this misuse of school funds. Freshman receiver James Robinson was also suspended after being cited for possession of marijuana, the second such citation he’s received in an eight-month span.
“I didn’t expect these. I don’t expect any more,” said McElwain. “But at the same time, if there is, it will be dealt with. Like I said, some places, who knows, you might try to figure it out and yet at the end of the day, the positive is we’re going to handle what it is and not run and hide.”
This is the second suspension for both Scarlett and Wells. Scarlett was suspended, coincidently, the last time Florida and Michigan played in 2016 after he was cited for misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Wells was suspended for the season opener last year after. Five of the 10 suspended players have had more than one instance where they have been suspended.
“I’ll also be there to help them. I don’t believe you throw anybody away,” McElwain said. “I don’t believe that. Yet, there will come a time when enough’s enough.”