Report: Florida Gators dismiss starting DE Alex McCalister for team rules violation

By Adam Silverstein
December 19, 2015

Starting defensive end Alex McCalister, who has been sidelined with a foot injury for the last month, has been dismissed from the Florida Gators for a violation of team rules, according to The Gainesville Sun’s Robbie Andreu.


A redshirt junior who totaled 6.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss in nine games, McCalister was expected to at least consider leaving the team early and declaring for the 2016 NFL Draft, though the severity of his injury and how that might impact his draft status was never revealed by the school.

Florida has not confirmed McCalister’s dismissal as of press time, and the rule that McCalister violated was listed as unspecified by The Sun. McCalister was previously suspended for UF’s season opener against New Mexico State on Sept. 5.

Head coach Jim McElwain also refused to confirm or deny McCallister’s reported dismissal when presented with the question on Monday.

“He’s going to go on into the NFL. He was injured. At times, I really don’t quite get it, but that’s your choice to say what you want. He’s not going to play. But if you choose to throw something out there, that is hearsay or whatever, that’s your choice,” McElwain said, referring to the media. “I’d never do that to a guy. I’m here to support these guys in every way, shape or form.”

Earlier on Saturday, the Gators confirmed that redshirt freshman quarterback Will Grier, who led Florida to a 6-0 start this season and looked to be the team’s answer behind center, decided to transfer away from the program while serving his year-long NCAA suspension for use of a banned substance.

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