Running back Chevon Walker requested and was granted a transfer from UF on Tuesday, Coach Urban Meyer said
Walker said he was not kicked off of the team, but he declined to comment further.
Walker?s roommate said the redshirt freshman mentioned a possible move to a school in South Florida.
Walker was rated the No. 34 running back in the nation as a senior at Fort Myers Riverdale High by Scout.com, rushing for 2,027 yards and 31 touchdowns.
After leading all Gators during last April?s spring game with 75 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, Walker played minimally during the season.
He carried four times for 14 yards in UF?s first three games and saw action on special teams, but he has not dressed out since Oct. 20 at Kentucky.
The reasons for Walker?s departure have remained mysterious, as Meyer has declined to comment on several occasions, only citing personal issues.
Walker?s absence has already impacted the Gators on both sides of the ball.
He was slated as the third-string running back, but with Mon Williams out for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, another player had to be added to the depth chart in case of injury to either Kestahn Moore or Brandon James.
Enter Markus Manson. A redshirt junior, Manson played for three years at running back before switching to defensive back prior to this season.
The loss of Walker prompted Manson to return to his old position.
BHe?s definitely going to be able to help us,C UF running backs coach Stan Drayton said. BThis is nothing new to Markus because he was a running back here for three years. Now he?s just back where he belongs.
BHe?s back at his position, and he knows everything. He?s just picking up where he left off.C
Manson could earn playing time for Saturday?s game with Florida Atlantic based on his performance in practice this week.
BThat?s my position,C Manson said. BCoach Meyer called me, told me to get ready for running back. I?m going to play Saturday.
BI?ve got to get back into the groove of it. I?m a natural running back, so it won?t take me that long.C
Safety Jamar Hornsby seems to be in a situation similar to Walker?s. The redshirt freshman from Jacksonville Sandalwood High has also not dressed out for the past three contests.
Hornsby?s mother, Lisa, confirmed that her son is still on the team.
BHe?s still on the football team, nothing is wrong,C Lisa Hornsby said. She directed any further questions to Meyer, who did little to clear up the hazy circumstances.
BHe?s not practicing right now,C Meyer said. BHe should be back Monday. He has to take care of some personal business.C
Hornsby was rated the nation?s third-best safety in high school while he played as a wide receiver also.
He played in UF?s first seven games - mostly on special teams - tallying five tackles and a kick-catch interference penalty against Troy, when he plowed through Trojans returner Leodis McKelvin as he attempted to make a fair catch on a punt.
