The Florida Gators will look to get their season back on track against Kentucky this week. The Gators will now likely have a key member of the Florida defense to do so.
Sophomore defensive tackle Jeramiah McCloud is back practicing with the team after his suspension. Last week, the team announced that McCloud was suspended for "conduct detrimental to the team," and he did not play against Oklahoma.
Jon Sumrall confirms Jeramiah McCloud is back with team following suspension
Head coach Jon Sumrall confirmed that McCloud is back practicing with the team ahead of the road trip to Kentucky. Via his weekly presser:
"Yeah, conversation went good," Sumrall said on Monday. "You know, made sure he understood that our desire was for him to return, but his return was going to be on my terms, not his terms, and the program's terms and his teammates' terms and our leadership council's terms. No one individual is bigger than the program. That includes myself or anybody in the building.
And so his conduct, maybe the front of last week, was not becoming of what it takes to be a part of this team. He owned it, and he was back with us today. He rejoined us today. We met yesterday afternoon, and he's with us and will be a full participant this week. And I've got a lot of confidence that he'll understand what that accountability component looks like. And he was great with me yesterday and had a good practice today and have nothing but high hopes for how he handles this moving forward."
McCloud has had 22 total tackles with 11 quarterback pressures and a pair of passes defended so far this season. Against Oklahoma, the Gators gave up 350 yards of offense to the Sooners, including 144 yards on the ground.
When pressed about whether or not McCloud will definitely start on Saturday, Sumrall didn't exactly give a straight answer.
"He'll be available," Sumrall said. "I mean, I think he's going to play. I mean, he's got practice this week. You know what I mean? Today's Monday. In my mind, on Monday, everybody's questionable. You know what I mean? But, yeah, I think he's going to play. I mean, barring something that doesn't need to happen, happening, he's going to play."
Florida will need all the help it can get going on the road to face a 7-2 Kentucky team that's led offensively by quarterback Kenny Minchey, his leading receiver Kenny Darby and running back CJ Baxter.
Saturday's game will kick off 6:15 p.m. ET and air live on ESPN.
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