University of Florida senior Andre Debrose won't be playing for the Gators in the upcoming football season following an unfortunate injury Tuesday.
The fifth-year-senior, who is a wide receiver for the Gators, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during Tuesday night's practice.
"I know that Andre is disappointed," Gators coach Will Muschamp said Wednesday. "He had been doing very well in camp and we were more than pleased with his effort and attitude. Andre was hurt in a non-contact situation. He just planted his foot and there was a tear."
This is the second time in his college football career that the wide-receiver misses a season over an injury. As a freshman in 2009, Debrose had to sit out the season due to a knee biceps femoris graft related to a track injury in high school.
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The wide receiver has appeared in 31 games, starred in eight, has 29 catches for 543 yards and four touchdowns, along with 58 kick returns for 1,592 yards and a school-record four touchdowns in his career at UF.
After an alleged excellent summer of training, Debose was looking forward to his last college football season.
"It's kind of surreal that this is my senior year," he said last week at media day. "I'm so ready for it. I've had some ups and downs. I've proved myself on special teams and I'm trying to get on this offense."
UF quarterback Jeff Driskel spoke highly of Debose's improvement at media day.
"I think his attitude's really changed," he said. "He's having a better outlook on everything. He realizes this is his last chance."
Muschamp added that Debose will undergo surgery after the swelling does down.
"It is unfortunate and you feel bad anytime that someone is injured," he said. "The coaching staff and our team will be very supportive in assisting Andre during his recovery."
With the weathered WR out of the picture for next season, the competition at receiver opens up for five Florida freshmen including Demarcus Robinson, Alvin Bailey, Ahmad Fulwood, Marqui Hawkins and Chris Thompson; sophomores Latroy Pittman and Ralph Andrades; and veterans Trey Burton and Solomon Patton.
