Smith subject of police investigation Knights land transfer cornerback

GAINESVILLE — UF DL Jordan Smith is being investigated by the Gainesville Police Department. He is the only player under investigation thus far among seven Gators suspended Sunday by coach Jim McElwain.

Spokesman Ben Tobias said GPD opened an investigation Thursday into Smith, a redshirt freshman from Georgia. The information was forward to GPD detectives.

Smith allegedly used stolen credit-card information to pay his rent, according to a report by “The Read Optional” based in Nashville.

Smith is the least known of the seven Gators suspended for the season opener against Michigan for reportedly misusing school-issued funds. WR Antonio Callaway headlined the group while DE Keivonnis Davis is a valuable reserve. Offensive linemen Kadeem Telfort and Richerd Desir-Jones and linebackers James Houston and Ventrell Miller are the other players.

McElwain reiterated the players are suspended from team activities until the matter is resolved. As for Smith, McElwain said, “I haven’t gotten anything from the authorities.”

Next game: UF vs. Michigan (Arlington, 2, 3:30 p.m., ABC

Edgar Thompson Texas), Sept.

UCF, seeking immediate experience and impact at cornerback, gained the services of junior-college transfer Mike Hughes on Friday.

Hughes, a 5-foot-11, 185-pounder, played at Garden City (Kan.) Community College last year and was a teammate with another UCF transfer, LB Gabe Luyanda.

Reached via e-mail, Garden City head coach Jeffery Sims wrote, “Great player, impactful … will take time because he just got there.”

Hughes came out of North Carolina’s New Bern High in the Class of 2015 as a highly regarded prospect and he signed with North Carolina. He played his first season at UNC, appearing at corner and on special teams. He recorded 10 tackles and had three pass break-ups as a freshman, but left UNC in February 2016 after being charged with misdemeanor assault inflicting serious injury following an altercation at a UNC frat house on Oct. 4, 2015.

He completed community service and all of the charges were eventually dropped.

Last season he played a big part in helping Garden City win the junior-college national title. He was named NJCAA All-American and had committed to South Carolina. He was unable to finish his associate’s degree in time for enrollment and ultimately landed at UCF.

He will be available immediately as a junior two years of eligibility remaining.

Next game: UCF vs. FIU, Aug. Network

Chris Hays 31, and p.m., CBS have Sports