The Florida Gators have suspended seven players for the team's season opener against the Michigan Wolverines for making improper charges on their cost-of-attendance credit cards at the school bookstore and then selling those items for cash.
A school official told ESPN that the charges were various electronic devices.
The suspended players are star wide receiver Antonio Callaway, offensive lineman Kadeem Telfort, linebackers James Houston and Ventrell Miller, and defensive linemen Jordan Smith, Richerd Desir-Jones and Keivonnis Davis.
“We have a small group of players that have made some choices that are extremely disappointing,” Florida coach Jim McElwain said in a statement. “Action has been taken – they have missed some practice and will miss the Michigan game. We will use this as a learning opportunity and we will have some players step up as we move forward.”
Callaway is the only one of the seven players who are projected to be starters for the Gators, though Davis did play a role in Florida's defensive line rotation last year.
This also isn't the first time that Callaway has been facing punishment from the school due to an off-field incident. He was suspended last year after facing sexual assault allegations, but a Title IX investigation cleared him and allowed him to be reinstated to the team. However, the federal government has opened another Title IX investigation that his case appears to be at the center of.
He was also cited for marijuana possession in the spring.
Callaway is Florida's top receiver and had 54 catches for 721 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore last season. He also serves as the team's punt returner.
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