As it was reported last week, Antonio Callaway’s suspension, which kept him out of spring practice, has been modified to allow him to be on campus to take classes and use the facilities. That’s the first step in him returning to the Gators’ football team.

Dec 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Antonio Callaway (81) celebrates after returning a punt for a touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second quarter of the 2015 SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

What does it mean for the Gators on the field?

WHAT IT MEANS NOW

Callaway has likely been using a gym on his own time, and he might have found opportunities to work with the quarterbacks, but getting back for summer workouts is a big step toward getting ready for the 2016. Coach Jim McElwain won’t get on the practice field with the Gators again until fall camp in August, but the team will be busy with summer workouts, led by strength and conditioning coordinator Mike Kent.

By missing spring practice, it means Callaway has yet to work with the majority of Florida’s quarterbacks. Since Luke Del Rio, the probable starter, was on campus for the 2015 season, he certainly threw to Callaway some last fall, but not as much as the quarterbacks who were eligible to play. The other three quarterbacks for 2016 – Austin Appleby, Feleipe Franks and Kyle Trask – are all newcomers.

Player-run summer activities are not a substitute for spring practice, but getting to work with the quarterbacks in June should lessen the chance of rust in the fall.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE FALL

While not officially out of the woods yet, the return to campus and permission to use the team facilities certainly implies that Callaway will be on the team for 2016. Whether that means eligible for Week 1 remains to be seen.

Assuming Callaway is back, it means the Gators have a proven playmaker on offense, something that can’t really be said to describe anyone else wearing orange and blue. Whether it’s getting behind cornerbacks for the deep ball, or weaving his way through the defense, Callaway is the biggest scoring threat in the passing game. Put simply – get the ball in No. 81’s hands and good things happen for the Gators.

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

Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Getting Callaway back, however, does not solve all the passing game’s questions for 2016. Callaway benefited from having Demarcus Robinson, now a Kansas City Chief, on the field last season. While defenses quickly learned of Callaway’s ability to take it to the house on any given snap, Robinson could not be ignored. While Callaway led the Gators in receiving yards (678), Robinson made the most catches (48).

Assuming Callaway sees the field this fall, opposing defenses will be keyed in on him. In these situations, the Gators need to find another receiver to step up, particularly on the opposite side. Still, it should be much easier to find one exterior threat than two.

If the spring game is any indication, Florida’s passing game will depend on quick decisions made by the quarterback – a stark contrast from Treon Harris’ tendency to extend a broken down play with improvisation.

While Callaway and Harris had obvious chemistry, it’s worth remembering that on one of Callaway’s most famous plays, the 63-yard touchdown reception against Tennessee, only three seconds ticked off the clock before Will Grier hit Callaway on a curl route.

Grier is at West Virginia now, but Del Rio will similarly be looking to make those decisions after a quick scan of the defense. In the spring game, Del Rio was quick to identify where the ball needed to go on all 11 passing attempts, which resulted in 10 completions and a throw-away praised by McElwain and broadcaster Greg McElroy.

If Del Rio and Callaway can create more pitch-and-catch magic, the Gators will be in business.