Florida sophomore defensive tackle Dominique Easley will miss next month’s TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl while recovering from knee surgery.
Coach Will Muschamp said Sunday that Easley will undergo surgery Wednesday to repair the ACL in his left knee.
“It’s unfortunate for him, but he’ll be back and ready to roll (next season),” Muschamp said.
Easley suffered the injury early in the second quarter of the Gators’ regular-season finale against Florida State on Nov. 26. Easley was helped off the field by trainers and eventually carted to the locker room with what Muschamp at the time called a twisted knee.
Marotti to OSU: Muschamp confirmed Sunday that strength coach Mickey Marotti has left the team to join Urban Meyer’s staff at Ohio State.
Marotti and Meyer were both graduate assistants at OSU in 1987 and also worked together at Notre Dame in the late 90s before Meyer named Marotti the director of strength and conditioning at Florida in 2005.
“Mickey did a great job at the University of Florida,” Muschamp said. “I appreciate his efforts, but again, we need to get stronger. We need to get physically and more mentally tough, and that starts in the weight room.”
Muschamp said he has no timetable for the “critical” hire and that the rest of his staff is intact despite rumors that linebackers coach and special teams coordinator D.J. Durkin would also be joining Meyer’s staff at OSU.
Brantley fine: Quarterback John Brantley is “fine” after suffering a concussion late in the first half against FSU and is expected to play in the bowl game.
Contact Tom Green at tgreen@alligator.org.
Florida sophomore defensive tackle Dominique Easley suffered an injury to the ACL in his left knee during Florida’s 21-7 loss to Florida State on Nov. 26. He will undergo surgery Wednesday and will miss the Gator Bowl on Jan. 2.
