Freshman cornerback Marcus Roberson, 19, was arrested last month and charged with underage possession of alcohol, a second-degree misdemeanor.
The University Police Department arrested Roberson on Sept. 14, just two days after then-Florida linebacker Dee Finley was arrested for driving with a suspended license and resisting arrest.
According to an Alachua County court records search, Roberson, who was 18 at the time of the arrest, entered a written plea of not guilty on Sept. 28. A pre-trail conference is scheduled for Nov. 7.
A team spokesman said coaches are aware of the arrest and that the issue has been handled internally.
A highly touted freshman out of Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, Roberson has started all seven games at cornerback for the Gators this season.
He is the seventh Florida player arrested, and eighth overall arrest, since Will Muschamp was named coach.
Roberson is represented by attorney Huntley Johnson, who often handles cases involving UF athletes.
Receivers struggling: Muschamp expressed concern Tuesday about Florida’s lack of big plays and reliable options at the wide receiver position.
“We need more playmaking ability outside and more consistent play,” Muschamp said.
Through seven games, redshirt senior Deonte Thompson leads UF wideouts with 12 catches, good for only 152 yards. Sophomore Andre Debose is the leader in yards with 233, and the entire position group has combined for only two touchdowns — both from Debose.
“We just need more production from the wideouts, more threats from the wideouts in order to take some positive steps,” Muschamp said.
Florida’s wide receivers have amassed just 41 catches and 646 yards as a group. Their yards per game average of 92.3 is lower than 32 individual players, and their average of 5.86 receptions per game is lower than 41 individual players.
Wildcat working: With Brantley out and the receivers struggling, the Gators have turned to the Wildcat to breathe life into the offense.
Against Auburn on Saturday and LSU on Oct. 8, Florida ran a combined 26 plays out of the formation for 91 yards.
“Trey Burton has really done a nice job in the package we’ve developed with him,” Muschamp said. “We’ve been able to move the ball in the first two games using that package. We’ll continue to build on that.”
The Wildcat has been especially helpful on the ground. The Gators have run 23 times for 77 yards when Burton has taken the snap the last two weeks, an average of 3.3 yards per carry. By comparison, the team’s 38 carries out of all other formations have gained just 2.6 yards per rush.
Contact Tom Green at tgreen@alligator.org and Greg Luca at gluca@alligator.org.
As a true freshman, UF cornerback Marcus Roberson was arrested Sept. 14 for alcohol possession.
