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Florida Gators Practice Recap: Cormani McClain Absent

The Florida Gators were back at it Thursday afternoon with a notable absence from 5-star Colorado transfer Cormani McClain.

Cam Parker

Florida Gators defensive back Asa Turner was a full go on Thursday after being in a black-non-contact jersey earlier in the week.
Florida Gators defensive back Asa Turner was a full go on Thursday after being in a black-non-contact jersey earlier in the week. / Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK
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The Florida Gators on Thursday continued fall camp with its seventh practice. Media were allowed to attend for a short portion of that practice. 

Gators Illustrated was in attendance and spent the time viewing the defensive backs and interior defensive line.

Here are the main takeaways. 

A Notable Absence in the Secondary, More Urgency from DL

Gators Illustrated noted one player absent in the secondary after multiple players were seen in non-contact jerseys on Tuesday. 

Walk-on transfer Cormani McClain was not observed with his respective position group. No reason was given for his absence. We'll follow up when more information becomes available.

The defensive line stood out earlier this week for good and bad reasons. Notably, a passionate exchange between Cam Jackson and Jamari Lyons to Caleb Banks over effort in a drill at Tuesday's practice. 

Player accountability, which has been consistently discussed in press availabilities, was seen first-hand by the media. 

On Thursday, tensions were lessened, but that didn’t stop new position coach Gerald Chatman from consistently preaching energy and urgency in drills. 

Injury Report

Tuesday’s practice saw a core group of contributors in the secondary donning non-contact jerseys. On Wednesday, Billy Napier said he didn’t expect any of them to be long term. 

On Thursday, safety Asa Turner and corners Ja’Keem Jackson and Devin Moore were all full-contact after being non-contact on Tuesday. 

Turner, who was nursing a minor shoulder issue, participated in drills on Tuesday despite the non-contact. 

Meanwhile, Jackson (lower-body, soft tissue) and Devin Moore (abscessed tonsil) were previously odf to the side doing rehab work but were back with the secondary on Thursday. 

On the offensive line, Fletcher Westphal (mononucleosis) and Caden Jones (undisclosed) were in non-contact jerseys for the second-straight practice. Napier expects both back soon. 

Gators Illustrated’s Clip of the Day

During spring camp, secondary coach Will Harris gaines notoriety on social media from a clip of him getting tackled in a drill by Jason Marshall Jr. 

Fall camp is much of the same from the first-year UF assistant, who takes pride in being active in drills. This time it was sophomore STAR Sharif Denson with the tackle. 

Upcoming Practice/Media Schedule 

All times are tentative, and the practice viewing periods range anywhere from 10-to-15 minutes long.

Friday, Aug. 9

  • 3:00 p.m.: Viewing period
  • 4:45 p.m.: Players Media Availability

Saturday, Aug. 10 (Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Scrimmage)

  • 2:30 p.m.: Viewing period
Published
Cam Parker

CAM PARKER

Cam Parker is a contributing writer at AllGators.com of FanNation-Sports Illustrated and is a recent graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in journalism. He also covers and broadcasts Alachua County high school sports with The Prep Zone and Mainstreet Daily News. When he isn't writing, he enjoys listening to '70s music such as The Band or Lynyrd Skynyrd, binge-watching shows and playing with his cat, Chester.

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