Sophomore defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd was suspended for two games by the NCAA and must repay impermissible benefits received before he can play again for Florida, a decision that did not go over well with coach Will Muschamp.
The NCAA released a statement Thursday detailing its ruling on Floyd, who was deemed ineligible by Florida prior to the team’s season opener against Florida Atlantic last weekend.
“I’m angered, disgusted and extremely disappointed that Sharrif will have to miss two games,” Muschamp said in an impassioned statement released Thursday night.
Floyd must sit out Saturday’s game against UAB and repay approximately $2,700 to charity before he can be reinstated.
Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley also released a statement shortly after the NCAA’s ruling and said Floyd brought the issue to the school’s attention in February and the Gators subsequently informed the NCAA.
Florida was forthcoming with the NCAA, according to Foley, but the organization still deemed there were violations.
According to the NCAA, Floyd accepted $2,500 in cash over several months from an individual not associated with the University of Florida, and he used that money for living expenses, travel and other costs. Along with the money received from that individual, who is unnamed in the NCAA’s statement, Floyd received impermissible benefits related to unofficial visits to several institutions prior to enrolling at UF. The NCAA made it clear that Florida was not one of the involved schools.
“Sharrif grew up in an environment where he didn’t have the things most of us take for granted — food, shelter and clothing,” Foley said in his statement. “In the absence of parents, there were kind people, in no way affiliated with the University of Florida, who were not boosters or sports agents, that helped him along the way to provide those things that he would otherwise not have had.”
The NCAA took Floyd’s situation and personal hardships into consideration and reduced his penalty from what would normally be a four-game suspension to two games.
“We examine each situation carefully and consider all elements related to a student-athlete’s individual circumstances and the violation,” said Kevin Lennon, vice president of academic and membership affairs. “This gives us the flexibility to tailor the conditions of reinstatement that take into account all details and are in the best interest of the involved student-athlete.”
If Floyd repays the $2,700 in the next week, he will be eligible to return for Florida’s Southeastern Conference opener at home against Tennessee on Sept. 17.
Floyd, who played in all 13 games as a freshman, was expected to start along the line for the Gators this season. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn said prior to the season opener that Floyd would play end in the team’s base defense, and tackle when the team used a nickel package.
Contact Tom Green at tgreen@alligator.org.
Sophomore defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd (73), who played in all 13 games as a freshman, was suspended for two games Thursday by the NCAA for receiving impermissible benefits.
