'Tis the season for UF
Florida starting fullback Eric Rutledge will not be playing in the Jan. 1 Capital One Bowl against Michigan.
UF spokesman Steve McClain confirmed the senior's status Thursday.
"There is a set of expectations and standards that he did not meet," McClain said.
Rutledge, a former P.K. Yonge standout, did not have a single touch this season, but played a key role in UF's running game as the lead blocker.
UF coach Urban Meyer was out of town recruiting Thursday and could not be reached for comment.
Along with preparing for the bowl game, recruiting has been a priority in recent weeks.
One of the first things Meyer mentioned in his postgame press conference following Florida's victory over Florida State was recruiting.
"We're going to recruit the mess out of this place," Meyer said three weeks ago.
And that's exactly what he's been doing.
January is usually perceived to be the heaviest college football recruiting month, but Meyer is in the midst of a pretty frenetic December.
Since Saturday night's Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York, Meyer has been to California, Pennsylvania, Virginia, south Florida and numerous stops in between as he tries to continue the momentum generated by the 45-12 victory over the Seminoles.
UF's latest commitment came last Friday from junior college five-star wide receiver Carl Moore, raising the Gators' commitment total to 14.
With the recent transfers (Jarred Fayson, Chevon Walker, Bo Williams and Trent Pupello), the Gators are now looking to sign a class of 22 to 25 players.
Meyer and his staff will be entertaining about a half dozen recruits on officials visits this weekend, including four top out-of-state prospects.
The player making the longest trip to Gainesville this weekend is Milton Knox, a four-star tailback from Birmingham High School in Lake Balboa, Calif. Knox is a UCLA commitment, but he's opened the process back up in the wake of Karl Dorrell's firing last week. The other prospects expected in from out of state are defensive tackle Rod Davis (Aldine, Texas), offensive lineman Sam Robey (Louisville) and quarterback/athlete Darron Thomas (Aldine, Texas).
The Florida prospects expected to visit are Pahokee cornerback Janoris Jenkins, a UF commitment, and Miami Monsignor Pace offensive lineman Greg Shaw.
As for the players who have decided to leave UF, Pupello is transferring to South Florida, while Williams is expected to transfer to Central Florida. Fayson and Walker still have not made decisions. Fayson is considering Illinois, Clemson and South Florida.
The Gators resume their pre-bowl practice with a workout today, followed by practices Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before breaking for Christmas. UF is scheduled to arrive in Orlando on Dec. 26.
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