TAMPA - Florida offensive linemen Jonathan Colon and Mo Mitchell have been dismissed from the team, coach Ron Zook said, but he hasn't ruled out allowing the players to return if their conduct improves.
Mitchell, a junior from Albany, Ga., and Colon, a junior from Miami, both remain on scholarship, but their status is up in the air. The two must address classroom attendance, conduct and academic issues to Zook's satisfaction to have a chance to return.
"Everybody's trying to make this a big deal, and it's not a big deal," Zook said Tuesday. "They've just got some things they need to take care of, and they are off the team until they decide they are going to do those things. Right now, they are not on the team."
Colon started 10 games at right tackle last season but missed spring practice because of an injury. He was expected to compete for the starting job in the fall. Mitchell started four games at guard, and showed promise on the defensive line in spring practice. He also was expected to compete for a starting job at guard.
Mitchell has spent the past year in and out of trouble, dating to August when he and two teammates were cited for underage drinking and violation of the open container law. In September, he left the team for nearly two weeks for personal reasons.
In Florida's Nov. 30 game at Florida State, Mitchell was called for several personal fouls and accused of trying to injure FSU defensive tackle Broderick Bunkley. Later, he and Colon attempted to leave the field with four seconds left in the game but were forced to return by Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley.
Mitchell and two teammates received sworn complaints on Jan.12 after police said they ripped mirrors off cars in the early morning hours in downtown Gainesville. The state attorney's office dropped the criminal mischief charges due to lack of evidence.
"Mo's not a bad kid, and neither is Jonathan; they are not bad guys," Zook said. "But there are some things they have to address, and if they do that and take care of what they need to do, they'll be back on the team."
NORTHWESTERN: The school said a doctor destroyed records of a routine physical exam on Rashidi Wheeler, who died three weeks later during practice, according to the Associated Press.
The doctor, Mark Gardner, also indicated he knew Wheeler had been taking dietary supplements, according to a deposition taken in a lawsuit Wheeler's family filed against Northwestern, the Chicago Tribune reported.
