The Gators will be without a couple important pieces on Saturday when the Vols come to Gainesville (3:30 pm ET, CBS) this weekend.
Quarterback Treon Harris, who is listed as a co-starter, but was expected to be the backup to Will Grier, and cornerback Jalen Tabor will both be out against Tennessee. Coach Jim McElwain elected not to call it a suspension for that duo, but rather a “choice” that Harris and Tabor made that will keep them out.
Harris has completed 19-of-27 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns so far this season. He came on in relief of former Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel in Knoxville and helped lead the Gators to a come-from-behind win against Tennessee in 2014. Vanderbilt graduate transfer Josh Grady, who has split time between receiver and quarterback, will be the backup for Grier on Sunday.
Tabor has 10 tackles, one interception with a return for 39 yards and four pass breakups so far in 2015. He recorded a sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery against the Vols in 2014 on a cornerback blitz. Quincy Wilson, who is listed as a co-starter with Tabor on the depth chart, will likely get the start opposite Vernon Hargreaves III on Saturday.
Tabor also lashed out on Twitter following the news in a tweet he later deleted and apologized for.
Morale is high in Gainesville pic.twitter.com/aJVmqIDZsI
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) September 24, 2015
McElwain said DE Alex McCalister, who some rumors and reports circulated about on Wednesday, is probable with a shoulder injury. The Gators are also expected to be without linebackers Alex Anzalone and Jeremi Powell as well.
The line for the game, which initially opened at -3 for Florida was slowly creeping in Tennessee’s favor throughout the week, moved all the way to -1 (per Vegas Insider) for Tennessee following the news of the suspensions on Wednesday evening.
