Suspended Gators reach agreement Bulls’ Johnson returns to lineup
GAINESVILLE — The credit card scandal that led to the suspensions of nine Florida Gators in August and 62 felony complaints last month is nearing an end for most of the players involved.
Star receiver Antonio Callaway and six others have agreed to enter a pretrial intervention program that would lead to the dismissal of third-degree felony credit card fraud charges for each.
Alachua County State Attorney Bill Cervone filed paperwork with the court on Thursday, but said each defendant and his case will be presented to the court over the next few weeks for formal approval by a judge.
The program essentially is voluntary probation during a 12-month period. Charges will be dropped for those who comply with the guidelines, which include community service, court costs and restitution.
Thursday’s news is unlikely to impact the players’ status with the team. Each will have to face UF’s Student Code of Conduct Committee, UF coach Jim McElwain said Thursday.
Callaway, Scarlett and seven other Gators — defensive lineman Keivonnis Davis, defensive lineman Richerd Desir-Jones, linebacker James Houston, linebacker Ventrell Miller, receiver Rick Wells, defensive end Jordan Smith and offensive tackle Kadeem Telfort — were accused of transferring money from stolen credit cards into their UF bookstore accounts to purchase items.
Next game: UF vs. No. 3 Georgia, Saturday, 3:30 CBS
Edgar Thompson p.m.
TAMPA — In the war of attrition that is late October, USF is getting freshman LB Keirston Johnson back just in time for Houston and its 33rd-ranked passing offense (270 ypg), which comes to Raymond James Stadium on Saturday.
Johnson, who had been sidelined since taking a hard hit to the chest against Temple on Sept. 21, practiced again Wednesday and is expected to play Saturday, Bulls defensive coordinator Brian Jean-Mary said.
“Everybody is in the same situation when you start getting closer to November,” Jean-Mary said. “The more bodies we can have this time of year, it’s always a plus.”
Before his injury, Johnson had at least one tackle in each of the four weeks he played — including at least one a game.
“It’s whatever bodies you have available,” Jean-Mary said. “Not even fully healthy bodies, but bodies who are able to play.”
With a minimum five games remaining this season, senior DT Bruce Hector already has 10 tackles for loss, only five fewer than his college total entering 2017.
His four sacks also lead the Bulls. Hector and DT Deadrin Senat have accounted for 48 tackles so far for a run defense that ranks ninth nationally (94.4 ypg).
“Obviously, I think our offense is one of the top offenses in the country,” Jean-Mary said. “So if you’re able to be productive against them, then you feel like you have a chance to be productive against other opponents . ... I think he’s playing unbelievable and at a level where he’s one of the better defensive lineman in the country.”
Joey Knight, Tampa Bay Times