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Mystery surrounds absence of Treon Harris, Antonio Callaway from Gators

 
Treon Harris, left, and Antonio Callaway, right, haven't been with the Gators since January and won't join the team when spring practice starts Wednesday. [LOREN ELLIOTT | Times; The Orlando Sentinel]
Treon Harris, left, and Antonio Callaway, right, haven't been with the Gators since January and won't join the team when spring practice starts Wednesday. [LOREN ELLIOTT | Times; The Orlando Sentinel]
Published March 9, 2016

GAINESVILLE — Florida football coach Jim McElwain said junior Treon Harris and receiver Antonio Callaway haven't been with the team since January and won't join the Gators when spring practice starts today.

But McElwain said little else about the absence of last season's starting quarterback and one of the SEC's top returning skill players.

"They're still doing some school work and that kind of stuff," McElwain said. "But they haven't been with us since January, and they won't be with us as we're rolling, so you won't see those guys out there at practice. Guys, that'll be the last we talk about that."

McElwain said he didn't know whether they might return this spring. Callaway remains enrolled as a full-time student, according to UF's registrar's office. But that office said it was not authorized to release any directory information about Harris.

This incident marks the third suspension for Harris. He missed last season's Tennessee game for what ESPN reported was a failed drug test. He was also suspended against LSU in 2014 after he was accused of sexual assault by another student. He was reinstated after the woman dropped her complaint.

The Miami native battled for UF's starting quarterback job last year as a sophomore and inherited it full time after Will Grier was suspended for failing an NCAA drug test. He completed 119 of 235 passes for 1,676 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions. Harris also started six games as a freshman, going 4-2. He was expected to convert to receiver this spring.

"Possibly. We'll see," McElwain said of a position change, if Harris is reinstated. "We'll talk about it when it happens."

Callaway's absence is the bigger loss for UF. The Miami native caught the game-winning touchdown pass against Tennessee and led the Gators in receiving yards (678). He finished with 35 catches, four touchdown receptions and two punt return scores.

Contact Matt Baker at mbaker@tampabay.com. Follow @MBakerTBTimes.