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Florida Football: Antonio Callaway regains eligibility

By Patrick Schmidt

Nov 21, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Antonio Callaway (81) catches the ball over Florida Atlantic Owls defensive back Raekwon Williams (23) as he scores a touchdown during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Antonio Callaway (81) catches the ball over Florida Atlantic Owls defensive back Raekwon Williams (23) as he scores a touchdown during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Florida Gators saw the return of the team’s best offensive player with Antonio Callaway rejoining the team and will play in 2016.

Florida wide receiver Antonio Callaway has been cleared to practice with the team and is eligible to play in games in 2016, according to The Gainesville Sun.

Callaway has been away from the team and campus after a possible student conduct code violation in January that also involved former quarterback Treon Harris. Callaway had to take online courses for the spring and first part of the summer semester and was able to take part in player-run team activities.

Head coach Jim McElwain offered a vague response at SEC Media Days last month when asked about Callaway’s status with the team and if he’d be eligible to play in 2016. And remained coy at Wednesday’s press conference.

The possible student conduct code violation is unlikely to be resolved before the season starts according to the report, but he will be out there with his teammates when the Gators begin training camp on Thursday.

His return to the team is s significant one after he led the Gators in receiving yards and touchdowns last year with 678 yards and four touchdowns on 35 receptions as a freshman in 2015. Callaway was also the team’s primary punt returner with 30 returns for 435 yards and two touchdowns.

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If Florida hopes to repeat as SEC East champions, Callaway will have to be an integral part of the team’s success this year. With Florida breaking in Luke Del Rio as the likely starting quarterback, he’ll be looking in Callaway’s direction often to make big plays.

Florida opens their season against Massachusetts on September 3.

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