The Florida Gators will be without starting defensive back Marcell Harris for the entire 2017 college football season after he suffered a torn Achilles tendon.
Head coach Jim McElwain broke the difficult news in a released statement, shared by Kevin McGuire of College Football Talk.
“As a coach this is one of the hardest things you are faced with,” the coach said. “Here is a kid who has made great personal growth during his time here and has really matured both on and off the field. It is tough to see a player invest so much in himself and his teammates and have this happen, but I do know that we will support him every step of the way as he works through this injury.”
Harris is a fifth-year senior who led the Gators in tackles last season, finishing with 73 total and 43 solo stops. He also added one sack, one forced fumble, two interceptions and a fumble recovery that turned into a touchdown against Florida State.
Unless the NCAA grants Harris a medical redshirt for this season, this marks the end of his collegiate career.