The Florida Gators have suspended sophomores quarterback Treon Harris and cornerback Jalen Tabor for Saturday’s game against the Tennessee Volunteers, head coach Jim McElwain announced after Wednesday’s practice.
According to ESPN, Harris was suspended for a failed drug test, while Tabor was suspended for refusing to take a drug test. Both are violations of university policy.
“They chose not to play in this ballgame. Jalen Tabor and Treon Harris won’t be with us this week, which simply means we’ve got to have some guys step up,” McElwain said, refusing to provide additional details or refer to their absences as suspensions. “Each one of us have choice, and they made a choice to do whatever. It hurts because we’ve got a lot of guys that really care about this team, and some of the guys will step up and play.”
As to how he felt about the duo being suspended? “It hurts. I’m not angry at them at all. It’s a choice,” he said. “They were choices; they weren’t suspensions. They made choices and that’s the way it goes. That’s really all we’ll talk about it.”
Both Harris and Tabor will be active for the team’s following game against Ole Miss. “They’ll be back the following week,” McElwain said.
With Harris suspended, redshirt freshman Will Grier will be firmly entrenched as the starting quarterback in the contest. Redshirt senior transfer Josh Grady will serve as the backup. Sophomore Quincy Wilson will start in place of Tabor.
“I’m excited for the opportunity for some other guys,” McElwain said. “On the offense part, obviously that thins you out at the quarterback position, but that’s why we … have some packages for Josh to be ready to go in. Feel good about that.
“Defensively, again, we’ve got some guys really where we’re going to get hurt a lot probably there is the depth in the special teams. Deiondre Porter‘s got to step up, and he’ll be wearing the sombrero this week in our special teams stuff, and he’s got to have a big game. Looking forward to seeing some guys play, so that’ll be it on that.”
Harris, who started the Gators’ season opener only to play sparingly in Week 2 and not see the field last Saturday, was previously suspended one game during the 2014 season while being investigated for an on-campus incident.
Tabor was previously cited for possession of marijuana, and both players were cited last December for an incident in which Harris was driving with a suspended license while Tabor and a former Florida player were passengers. Police found marijuana in the vehicle but not on any of the players’ person, so no one was arrested for possession or suspended for the Gators’ bowl game.
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Ugghhhh really guys? We’re gonna need everything we have to beat tennessee this year. Sigh.
Seriously. Talk about disappointment. If you want to be a starter Treon, you have to be a leader on the team, by your freaking actions. Give that ish up for the season. Just do it. You’re not some third/fourth string schmuck on the practice squad. Same applies for you Tabor.
Good lord man. Last thing we need.
So much for team first. It’s bad enough we’re thin and inexperienced but guys keep getting suspended.
Adam, any update on Grier’s ding from last week? And does this mean our 4th string QB is now the backup this week?
Say it ain’t so! Ughhhh we’re toasted
seriously guys? WTF………
Sigh. Any idea why they were suspended?
soul destruction. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbjHOBJzhb0
Haha! That movie was crazy!
Grow up if you want to play big time college football. Never happened to Wuerfell or Tebow.
Not saying that Tebow ever did anything wrong but a lot of top guys got passes during Meyer’s years.
Listen to Jesus Treon and Jalen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbjHOBJzhb0
This is the right one Treon and Jalen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFZCpSVTWCs
Big time bummer; others will step up.
GO GATORS!!!
I guess we now officially have a starting QB due to stupidity. 2 suspensions within 12 months for Harris, you can’t have someone at that position that can’t stay out of trouble.
Tabor is even more stupid. He has top round NFL talent and he probably just lost a bunch of money over smoking weed. Hope it was worth it.
As we all know, the NFL is the National Felon League, I am sure they will have no issue drafting Tabor at all as he is a unique talent like VH3, he just isn’t as smart, apparently. I bet that by this and next year he will get it and learn that life isn’t the hood and smoking dope if you want to be successful.
Any drug related suspensions will follow him into the draft and knock him down the selection lists. The pro execs and coaches are tired of having to deal with dumb asses failing tests and losing valuable playing time. The time and money it costs to bring someone else on (or promote) up to speed is a killer. That’s the dollars aspect of what Tabor has done. His only hope get is to stay completely clean from here until draft day.
the “drug culture” that so many have today is so bad. Many don’t even realize how much they are hurting themselves in life, but thankfully Coach MAC is saying this isn’t right, and you all need to straighten up and respect yourselves and your team.
I have been laughed at and ostracized by some folks here for pointing out how negative this is, but apparently Coach Mac also agrees, not to mention it is illegal. I hope he continues to turn these boys into men with a moral foundation and an ability to move forward in life.
I understand people smoke. Especially college kids. What I don’t understand is why they aren’t smart about it afterwards. There are ways to flush that stuff out quickly.
I worked for a very strict drug free employer. I didn’t smoke regularly but an occasional smoker at a concert, party, etc. I made sure that I bought the “Golden Seal” tea at GNC and drank it. Never tested positive. Now… I heard there are other better methods than the tea. Kids know how to beat the system.
What did you just say? Did you just advise them on how they can better mask their use of an illegal substance? Evidently these kids didn’t know how to beat the system. Unless you happen to live in a state that has legalized weed the best advise is just to not do it. Sheesh!
No confirmation if Mac suspended them, it sounds like the UAA suspended them. Also, while they did break the rules and deserve the suspension for not following them, smoking weed and failing a drug test (which is most likely what happened) is not hurting yourself more than drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes does to you health wise. Most college students would not pass those drug tests either.
Most college students were not given a scholarship with the expectation that they will win a SEC championship and compete for a NC. These two were.
That is the responsibility they accepted. They need to ask themselves how committed they are to that goal.
Harris can’t seem to stay away from trouble. A trend is emerging.
He does not do us any good if he is suspended. Is he a follower or a ring-leader? Neither scenario is good.
Minus an injury, he probably should kiss the starting job goodbye. If he does not change his ways, it may be time to part ways. We cannot afford to let this attitude affect the rest of the team.
I’m not arguing that their not dumb, but it’s weed. Who gives a shit.
The NFL gives millions of shits about weed. Not like these guys will make big money with their degrees.
You just nailed it. It’s the dumb part that is a problem.
I have no problem if athletes chooses to smoke a plant…however, if the weed is causing the athlete to perform less than stellar, then they need not to smoke. To me, the inconsistency from Harris might be the weed and there lies the problem. I just want to win!