Freshman defensive back Willie Bailey has decided to transfer, coach Will Muschamp announced on Monday.
“He and I met last week, and he felt like he wanted to move on,” Muschamp said. “We’ll support him in that.”
Bailey entered UF as a three-star recruit and the No. 38 cornerback in the class of 2012, according to Rivals. Bailey did not appear in a game this season.
Injury update: Linebacker Jelani Jenkins and offensive lineman Ian Silberman will miss Florida’s matchup against Louisville in the Sugar Bowl after undergoing surgery to repair injuries suffered during the season, Muschamp said on Monday.
Jenkins, a junior, underwent successful surgery on Nov. 26 after suffering a broken fifth metatarsal during Florida’s win against Florida State on Nov. 24.
Silberman suffered a torn labrum in Florida’s 27-20 win against Louisiana on Nov. 10. Muschamp said Silberman’s surgery was successful.
“We felt like everything is moving in the right direction,” Muschamp said.
Offensive tackle Matt Patchan has missed every game this season due to a pectoral injury, and Muschamp said the junior returned to individual work on Sunday.
Muschamp said he did not expect any other players to miss the bowl game. Quarterback Jeff Driskel, who wore a walking boot after UF’s win against FSU to combat a sprained right ankle suffered on Nov. 10 against Louisiana, is 100 percent healthy.
Staying put: Muschamp did not address any transfers aside from Bailey and said he would wait until after the bowl game to discuss possible early entrants to the NFL Draft.
Muschamp said other schools reach out to him almost daily to inquire about Florida’s assistants, but no moves are expected.
“We’ve got a good staff and a lot of people want them to coach at their place, but we’re very content here and feel like we’ll have our full staff intact as we move forward,” Muschamp said.
Newly hired wide receivers coach Joker Phillips made recruiting trips for UF but will not begin coaching until after the Sugar Bowl. Bush Hamdan, who has coached UF’s wideouts since Aubrey Hill’s resignation before the season, will coach during UF’s 15 bowl practices.
Contact Greg Luca at gluca@alligator.org.
