Florida filed an appeal of quarterback Will Grier's one-year suspension handed down by the NCAA on Monday.
Grier admitted to taking a performance-enhancing substance unknowingly by consuming an over-the-counter product without studying the contents label.
Grier will practice with the team during the suspension.
"I really hope people can learn from this and learn from my mistake,'' an emotional Grier said at a press conference Monday afternoon. "I'm really sorry to everyone. Really sorry."
Grier told reporters that he took an over-the-counter supplement that had "something" in it and that he did not check with the team's medical staff before taking it.
"We feel for him. We feel his pain,'' McElwain said. "He had a chance to address the team and spoke from the heart. For this football team, it means next guy up. This is a mistake we'll learn from."
Grier has completed 65.8 percent of his passes this season and thrown for 10 touchdowns, three interceptions and 1,204 yards.
"You have to know what you're putting in your body," McElwain said. "That's an important thing here, obviously, we didn't do. Will admitted he didn't do it. I think that speaks for him. He's not putting it on anybody else."
Florida will travel to face No. 6 LSU (5-0) in an SEC showdown on Saturday night.
Sophomore Treon Harris is expected to start against LSU. Harris started the season opener before giving way to Grier. Harris also was suspended earlier this season for an undisclosed violation of team rules.
"Now it's Treon's opportunity to take the reins and run with it," McElwain said.
