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Which Florida receivers can take advantage of Antonio Callaway’s absence?
By Andrew Olson
Published:
The indefinite suspension of WR Antonio Callaway is a huge blow to the Florida offense, and especially bad news for the new crop of quarterbacks looking to work on timing and routes with the top returning pass catcher.
But it could be good news for a few Gators receivers. The absence of Callaway provides opportunities for some of the veterans buried on the depth chart and incoming freshmen to get extra attention this spring.
For various reasons, these Florida wideouts are in the best position to take advantage of the situation.
Ahmad Fulwood
The former four-star recruit has regularly seen the field – he’s played in 38 games – but only has 35 career catches to show for it entering his senior year. Fulwood is not one to burn defenders like Callaway, but his size (6-foot-4, 211 pounds) makes him a natural fit for the role of possession receiver.
Fulwood’s familiarity with the offensive system should give him the chance to earn WR1 status and provide the quarterbacks – two transfer walk-ons and two freshmen – a reliable target in spring drills.
C.J. Worton
Worton made only five catches last season in limited action, but his acrobatic 46-yard touchdown reception against Alabama in the SEC Championship Game was arguably the most impressive catch of the year by a Gators receiver.
The junior wideout (6-foot, 194 pounds) measures similarly to Callaway (5-foot-11, 195 pounds). If Worton can step into Callaway’s role as the deep threat, he could see a significant increase in snaps.
Freddie Swain/Josh Hammond
With spring practice barely underway, freshmen early enrollees Swain (6-foot, 180 pounds) and Hammond (6-foot-1, 184 pounds) are unknown commodities. Both were four-star recruits, but high school highlight tapes are rarely reliable indicators for how freshmen will handle SEC-level competition.
Callaway’s 2015 rookie season (35 catches, 678 yards, 4 TDs), however, shows that some special freshmen – even those only considered three-star recruits – are able to step up and make an immediate impact. Swain and Hammond will both get the chance to help fill the outside receiver void left by Callaway.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
