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Gators' Jim McElwain has little to say about Antonio Callaway

 
Florida receiver Antonio Callaway’s status is up in the air after offseason issues.
Florida receiver Antonio Callaway’s status is up in the air after offseason issues.
Published July 11, 2017

HOOVER, Ala. — Gators coach Jim McElwain said little Tuesday about the status of WR Antonio Callaway for the season opener against Michigan. The question remains whether Callaway will face a possible marijuana-related suspension.

Callaway was cited on a complaint of marijuana possession back in May, according to an Alachua County court record. Before that, Callaway was suspended last spring during a sexual assault allegation for which he was ultimately found not responsible. During a hearing for that case, Callaway said he was high on marijuana at the time of the incident.

The University of Florida's marijuana policy calls for a suspension for two failed drug tests, but, technically, that doesn't apply to Callaway because he didn't fail any tests (as far as is publicly known).

During a media scrum at SEC media days with a small group of journalists who cover the Gators, McElwain was twice asked about Callaway's status for Michigan, but offered little other than to say, "He's going through some things right now, and so far he has been doing a good job. … At this juncture, there's no reason to even speculate."

A junior from Miami, Callaway is one of the Gators' most explosive offensive weapons. Last season, he caught 54 passes for 721 yards and three touchdowns.

Georgia on his mind

The biggest upset of the SEC football season didn't happen on the field. It was when Georgia running back Nick Chubb, against all expectations, decided to return for his senior season.

But since he made his decision in December to come back for one more college season, Chubb hasn't thought twice about it.

"No regrets at all," Chubb said. "I'm feeling good about my decision."

So is Georgia.

With 3,424 yards, Chubb goes into the season as Georgia's second all-time leading rusher, behind the great Herschel Walker (5,259). Chubb would love to break Walker's record, but he has other goals, too. He wants revenge on Georgia Tech, who tore up the famed hedges at Sanford Stadium after beating the Bulldogs last season. He also wants to do something Georgia hasn't done since Chubb has been in Athens: beat Florida.

Winning a national championship wouldn't be bad either.

"Every year you want to win a championship," Chubb said. "Winning a championship would be a great way to end my career at Georgia."

Men in stripes

SEC head of officiating Steve Shaw updated the media on rule changes for 2017. Among the highlights, Shaw said the league will penalize coaches who come on to the field to argue with officials, flagging them for unsportsmanlike conduct. Also, the SEC will crack down even more on targeting and will make it illegal to run forward and jump over the offensive line in an attempt to block a kick.

Quick slants

Alabama's Nick Saban will meet with the media this morning. … A few members of the media tried to get McElwain and a few of his players to say LSU is now Florida's biggest rival. While the LSU rivalry has picked up in intensity, it still seems not quite as bitter as Florida's rivalry with Florida State, Georgia and maybe even Tennessee.