Florida’s Mullen provides no clarity on absent DB Huggins

GAINESVILLE, FLA. >> Florida coach Dan Mullen insists he has “great clarity” regarding absentee defensive back John Huggins. Not many others do.

Huggins has missed every practice during fall camp because of what the Gators say is a “family issue.” Mullen declined to elaborate, but said Tuesday it has nothing to do with the sophomore allegedly choking a female student last year.

“That’s all been handled,” Mullen said. According to a police report released this week in response to public records requests, a 19-year-old Florida student said Huggins choked her during a tutoring session last October. Huggins was upset because the tutor took his phone in hopes of ensuring he would stay for the entire session, the report said.

The woman had previously been uncomfortable because Huggins pulled her hair in another session, the report said. She did not pursue a criminal case, and no charges were filed from the battery complaint.

Mullen said Huggins was punished; he missed five games following the alleged incident and is currently enrolled at the school.

Nonetheless, the latest police report means three of Mullen’s players and one of his assistants have been named in incidents involving violence against women in a span of seven months.

“I mean, how many of them are actually charged?” Mullen said.

No charges were filed in any of those cases. Three of the four men have since left the program.

Cephus says returning to school top priority following trial

MADISON, WIS. >> Former Wisconsin player Quintez Cephus says going back to school is his top priority after a jury found him not guilty last week of sexual assault charges.

The wide receiver told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he doesn’t know if he will return to the University of Wisconsin. The 21-yearold from Macon, Ga., was suspended from the team last summer and expelled last semester after being accused of sexually assaulting two women. A jury found him not guilty on Friday.

Maryland receiver lost for season

COLLEGE PARK, MD. >> Maryland sophomore receiver Jeshaun Jones will miss the season after suffering a knee injury during the first practice of training camp.

Jones, who was hoping to build on a solid freshman season, tore his left ACL on Monday.

Jones had 22 catches for 288 yards and ran 18 times for 173 yards last season.