Florida WR Paul Wilson's mounting injuries have forced him to give up football.

The redshirt sophomore from Lakeland will apply for a medical hardship, Florida athletic officials said.

"Paul Wilson probably won't play football again,'' UF coach Urban Meyer said. "I was counting on him for special teams. He's had some tough injuries. He had the wrist issue, he's had a couple of leg issues. And the foot that he re-broke, because of what our receivers are asked to do as far as planting and pushing off, he's been advised not to play football again. He's a great kid. We wish him all the best obviously we're going to pay for school. That's real tough on him because he wanted to play.''

Wilson broke his foot last September and missed the remainder of the season. He was a member of Lakeland's Class 5A state championship team, along with Gator teammates Mike and Maurkice Pouncey and Chris Rainey. 

Meyer said his heart especially goes out to Wilson, who has done all the right things.

"The guys that really put in the hard work, go to class, live right and take care of themselves, all the things that Paul Wilson does, a guy like that deserves a chance to live his dream,'' Meyer said. "But at the end of the day, there are a lot of things worse in life than getting a degree from a college like the University of Florida.''

Gator OL Mike Pouncey said Friday his heart goes out to Wilson, whom he's known since their childhood days in Lakeland.

"It's real tough,'' Mike Pouncey said. "I talked to him the other day. He has a good spirit right now. He said he's going to try and talk to the baseball coach and try and do baseball. But as far as football, he won't be able to take all that pounding on his foot. I wish the best for him. That's my friend. I love him to death. I want the best for him.''