The suspensions keep adding up for the Florida Gators ahead of Saturday's opening clash against the Michigan Wolverines.
Michigan football is breaking in an almost entirely new starting lineup on both sides of the ball because of graduation and the NFL draft. Florida, on the other hand, is scrambling because of 10 suspensions that have come the month before opening weekend.
Recommended Videos
The latest announcement came Wednesday, when Florida head coach Jim McElwain suspended star running back Jordan Scarlett and backup receiver Rick Wells.
Head Coach Jim McElwain has announced that Jordan Scarlett and Rick Wells are suspended from all team activities.
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) August 30, 2017
Jordan Scarlett
Scarlett was by far Florida's top running back last season, carrying the ball 179 times for 889 yards and six touchdowns.
The Gators haven't had much of a passing game over the last several years, so most of the offensive production fell on Scarlett's shoulders. He averaged a solid 5 yards per carry and led the offense in scoring.
Rick Wells
Wells hasn't caught a pass at Florida, but he was a solid recruit in the class of 2016 out of Jacksonville.
Wells was ranked as a three-star recruit and the No. 85 wide receiver in his class. His loss isn't devastating to the Gators, but with the depth issues that have arisen from all the suspensions, it's possible he could have seen the field.
Antonio Callaway
Despite Florida's struggles at quarterback last season, Callaway caught 54 passes for 721 yards and three touchdowns. He led the team in catches and receiving yards, and tied for the most receiving touchdowns.
Without Scarlett and Callaway, Florida is without its top two returning offensive weapons.
James Robinson
Robinson was cited for marijuana possession last week, so McElwain said he is unavailable to play in the opener against Michigan.
The No. 14 wide receiver in the nation and a four-star recruit, Robinson is clearly a talented player. With Callaway out, the freshman won't be among the players making up that production.
Kadeem Telfort
Telfort is one of seven players who were suspended earlier this month for misusing funds that were issued to them by the university.
Callaway, Telfort and the five players below were among the original suspensions, and it appears Scarlett and Wells were suspended because they were linked to the scheme.
Telfort is a true freshman who committed to the Gators as a four-star offensive tackle. He was the No. 24 offensive tackle in the nation.
Keivonnis Davis
Davis started five games on the defensive line for the Gators' dominant defense last season and saw the field in all 13 games. He made 27 tackles, three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
Florida is replacing a few key players on defense who moved on to the NFL, so losing Davis hurts from a depth perspective. He has the ability to get into the backfield, so Michigan's young offensive line caught a break.
Ventrell Miller
Miller is a true freshman linebacker who committed to Florida as a three-star and the No. 36 outside linebacker in the nation.
Miller probably wouldn't have played against Michigan this weekend.
Richerd Desir-Jones
Desir Jones played in two games last season as a backup offensive lineman before sitting out the rest of the year and redshirting.
Desir-Jones' suspension isn't a huge blow to Florida.
Jordan Smith
Smith might have gotten into the mix on Florida's defensive line this weekend after redshirting as a true freshman.
He was a four-star defensive end commit last season and ranked as the No. 25 player at his position.
James Houston
A true freshman outside linebacker, it's unlikely Houston would have been a difference maker against Michigan. He was the No. 43 outside linebacker in the nation when he committed to the Gators.