In June, it was reported that Antonio Callaway‘s suspension had been modified. Now, it appears that, at least football-wise, the wide receiver has crawled out of the University of Florida’s doghouse.
The Gainesville Sun, citing a source close to the situation, is reporting Wednesday that Callaway is eligible to not only practice with his Gator teammates but play in games as well. Ahead of the start of camp Thursday, head coach Jim McElwain will meet with the media and is expected to address Callaway’s status at that time.
Callaway has been suspended not only from the team but from the university since late January for a violation of the Student Conduct Code. In March, Huntley Johnson, a lawyer well-known in and around Gainesville as the go-to attorney for Gator student-athletes who run into legal issues, issued a statement in which he claimed that the allegation against his non-client “has no merit.”
It remains unclear just what Callaway is alleged to have done to merit a suspension in the university’s eyes.
Johnson’s attorney released a statement in early June in which he stated that the modified suspension would permit his client to attend classes on campus as well as allow him to use the football team’s practice facilities. While it’s not expected that the Student Code of Conduct case that led to the initial suspension will be resolved by the Sept. 3 opener against UMass, it appears the signs are pointing toward a favorable conclusion for the junior receiver.I’ve been hearing that Callaway is expected to get a favorable ruling in his case. Just a matter of time now.
— Robbie Andreu (@RobbieAndreu) August 3, 2016
Getting Callaway back for the season would/will be a tremendous boost for the Gators’ offense.
Last season in his first year with the Gators, Calloway led the team in receiving yards (678) and tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns (four). His 19.4 yards per catch led the squad, while his 35 receptions were good for third.
At the end of the regular season, he was named to the All-SEC Freshman team.
UPDATED 2:28 p.m. ET: McElwain confirmed that Callaway will be permitted to practice with the team, but that’s as far as he would go in updating the receiver’s status.