Scholarship reduction begins

[NOLAGATOR]

Our best coaches in history have come in and made it a point to maintain what we had, even with players they maybe didn’t like, at least until they could fill the roster with their replacements. They knew they needed these guys to reach that next level. The worst coach we’ve had in our lifetime did this, then spent his third season complaining about not having enough bodies. I like a lot of what BN is doing, but this is risky and generally backfires.

We're still over 85...Plus this sends a message...Buy In or you're out. That's a breath of fresh air.

 

[Bullag8r]

I just saw this in the Ocala Star Banner ~ I don't know if this is old news or not. I don't even know if this is the right thread to post this.


The Florida football roster was missing the names and profile pages of three players Wednesday afternoon, signaling an end to their time with the program.

Fenley Graham Jr., Mordecai McDaniel and Chris Thomas Jr. are no longer listed on Florida's roster as of June 22,ot and a source close to the program confirmed the players are no longer with the team.

All of the players participated in spring practice under first-year UF coach Billy Napier.

Originally Marcus Burke's profile also was not visible, but UF said that was an error. The Jacksonville native, who also participated in spring practice, is expected to contribute in a depleted wide receiver room after hauling in a pair of receptions as a freshman.

Graham, an athlete out of Lakeland, was in line to compete at wide receiver, in addition to the role of either kick or punt return specialist for the Gators. He played primarily on special teams and as a reserve defensive back during his first two seasons in Gainesville.

Thomas, a redshirt freshman out of Tallahassee, made his collegiate debut Dec. 23 against UCF in the Gasparilla Bowl, and he was competing for a reserve role on UF's defensive line.


McDaniel appeared in 23 games over two seasons, including each of UF's contests during the 2021 season, albeit in a reserve role.

Despite the departures, the Gators are still above the 85-man scholarship limit, meaning there's still some work to be done when it comes to trimming Florida's roster for the upcoming season.

 

[Oklahoma Gator]

Thank God

 

[AlexDaGator]

There was a game last year, I think Burke played a little, and he really popped off the TV screen.

He looked like a legit deep threat--rangy, fast, with ball awareness.

I think that was Burke.

Dunno if including him was a mistake or not, but he's 404 page not found on our roster right now.

Alex.

 

[soflagator]

We're still over 85...Plus this sends a message...Buy In or your out. That's a breath of fresh air.

As I said there is a balance. I’ve used the Meyer/Dee Webb situation as an example many times. It was widely known that Urban hated him and didn’t want him in the team. The post-Usce blowup in the plane was supposedly largely about him. But he put up with him in 2005 because we had Reggie Lewis and Vernell Brown on the other side and no other depth. He got what he could out of him, had no argument with Webb leaving early and added better players through recruiting. But we needed Webb that season to get us where we needed to be in recruits’ eyes. As I said, some of those names aren’t too critical. Burke(apparently incorrect) and Graham struck me as risky.

 

[soflagator]

There was a game last year, I think Burke played a little, and he really popped off the TV screen.

He looked like a legit deep threat--rangy, fast, with ball awareness.

I think that was Burke.

Dunno if including him was a mistake or not, but he's 404 page not found on our roster right now.

Alex.

It was the USce game. Caught a deep pass in Q1 on a difficult play with defenders draped all over him. First collegiate catch. Mullen, in true Mullen fashion, then immediately pulled him and handed him a Nintendo Switch to play the rest of the night from the bench. I believe we lost a close one.

 

[AlexDaGator]

It was the USce game. Caught a deep pass in Q1 on a difficult play with defenders draped all over him. First collegiate catch. Mullen, in true Mullen fashion, then immediately pulled him and handed him a Nintendo Switch to play the rest of the night from the bench. I believe we lost a close one.

Yup. That was it. Had a couple of nice catches, looked like the real deal, then promptly disappeared on the bench so Jacob "couldn't catch covid in a NYC nursing home" Copeland could get his drops.



My first thought was "where has this kid been all season, he looks like a star, why hasn't he been playing?" He looked like our best WR out there.

Then he just disappeared.

Alex.

 

[LagoonGator68]

Players leave around this time of the year for a veritable plethora of reasons.

 

[TN G8tr]

We'll see how the rest shakes out, but it's a strong message rather than the same ole same. Have no problem with it. If they don't buy in, it can lead to a cancer in the locker room. With all cancer, get rid of it asap!

 

[G8trwood]

No insider info from the new connected guys? Did someone give them access to the PF

 

[oxrageous]

No insider info from the new connected guys? Did someone give them access to the PF

What "inside info" really matters here? The guys are gone. What difference does it make what the reason is?

 

[maheo30]

No insider info from the new connected guys? Did someone give them access to the PF

1. Burke was going to be cut. However, a few team leaders went to CBN and convinced him to give Burke another chance (per Nick de la Torre).

2. From an insider who has proven reliable. The guys who were cut were told they had to meet certain expectations. They didn't. In the past regime these same threats were made but not followed through. CBN had to send a message. Mordecai being cut is the one that shocked everyone. But, according to the insider, CBN doesn't play favorites. He is Mr. Consistent.

3. Brace yourselves as more could be coming.

 

[GatorJ]

Graham may have had issues in the classroom. Looks like Team leaders may have went to BN and pleaded for leniency for Burke. He’s been given a month to get his **** straightened out.

 

[soflagator]

Graham may have had issues in the classroom. Looks like Team leaders may have went to BN and pleaded for leniency for Burke. He’s been given a month to get his **** straightened out.

I guess the good news is it will be July, not February.

 

[neteng]

Graham doesn't go to class.
Im not going to repeat what was said about McDaniels because its something that is bad and without any substantial proof of it I dont want to propagate it.
Thomas is supposedly checked out and not bought in.

 

[Oklahoma Gator]

Players leave around this time of the year for a veritable plethora of reasons.

 

[LagoonGator68]

You are 40, jefe?

 

[Back Alley Gator]

Im not worried. We have to cut the dead wood to make room for all the new 4 and 5 stars we have coming. We gon git errrrybody. We gon shock the world.