Florida will be short a key piece up front when Oklahoma comes to Gainesville on Saturday.
Sophomore defensive lineman Jeramiah McCloud has been suspended for the matchup, according to 247 Sports’ Graham Hall, who cited a team spokesperson on Wednesday. The school’s statement said, "Jeramiah McCloud has been suspended for this week's game against Oklahoma for conduct detrimental to the team. His status with the program will be re-evaluated after this week's contest,"
McCloud has been one of Florida’s more active defenders this season, starting five of the team’s eight games. He has posted 22 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, six quarterback hits and three pass breakups. The former four-star recruit has taken on a much larger role in 2025 after making 13 tackles as a rotational true freshman.
Back in September, defensive coordinator Brad White pointed to McCloud’s energy and edge as part of what makes him stand out.
“You feel 91,” White said. “You feel his competitive energy on game day.
I don’t even have to look, and you can like feel him walking behind you. You can hear him.
He loves football. He loves being around football.
He’s a little bit of a junkyard dog in that regard.”
Without McCloud, Florida will have to adjust at his tackle spot. DK Kalu and Jamari Lyons are the likeliest options there alongside nose guard Brendan Bett, though Bett could also move over. If that happens, Joseph Mbatchou or freshman Stive-Bentley Keumajou Yondui could handle the nose.
Keumajou Yondui has drawn notice after moving from scout team work into the rotation during the win over Texas and last week’s loss to Georgia.
“He's been doing great,” Bett said this week. “You know, he was first on scout team and then he moved over. Just, you know, he's been trusting his process, working with Coach Chat [Gerald Chatman] extra, trying to get down his technique.”
The suspension comes as Florida (5-3, 3-3 SEC) heads into a defining run to close the regular season. The Gators still have Oklahoma on Saturday, then Vanderbilt on Nov. 21 and Florida State on Nov. 27, with a trip to No.
6 Kentucky on Nov. 14 offering a shot at a third top-10 win of the year. Florida is still in the mix despite three losses and is chasing its first nine-win season since 2019.
“It’s a huge difference going 5-7 versus 9-3,” Bett said “So, the goal is we have a lot more ball to finish out strong. You never know what college football brings you, especially this year. It's been people losing all over and you never know where we can end up as long as we keep our heads up and finish strong."
Saturday’s game against the Sooners is set for 7:45 p.m. on SEC Network.
In Other News...
Floridas Receiver Situation Just Got More Frustrating Before Oklahoma
Floridas receiver room keeps getting harder to sort out at exactly the wrong time. Vernell Brown was listed as probable for the Georgia game but ended up not playing, and now hes been tagged doubtful for Oklahoma as the Gators continue to work through an injury picture that has made weekly planning more complicated than usual.
The broader availability report only adds to the uncertainty, with four players ruled out and two more questionable ahead of the Oklahoma matchup. And with the quarterback situation still unsettled, Florida is heading into another week without much clarity on who will actually be available when the Gators take the field. [Read more 🡒]
Florida Suddenly Has A Major Lineup Problem Before Oklahoma
Floridas trip to Oklahoma now comes with a much different look than the one the Gators had in mind when the week began. Starting defensive tackle Jeramiah McCloud will be suspended for the game because of conduct detrimental to the team, and the injury report has only added to the uncertainty with receiver Vernell Brown III and defensive end Emmanuel Oyebadejo among the players listed as doubtful or questionable.
The lineup shuffling does not stop there. Florida also announced changes up front and at tight end, with replacements set to step in for starting right tackle Emekga Ugori and Evan Chieca, who will not play against Oklahoma. For a team already trying to steady itself, the timing leaves the Gators with several key spots to sort out before they take the field. [Read more 🡒]
Florida Suddenly Has A Depth Problem Ahead Of Oklahoma
Floridas first availability report for Oklahoma brought an immediate reminder that the margins are getting thin. Seven Gators showed up on the list, with wide receiver Vernell Brown III tagged as doubtful and four others already ruled out, leaving the staff to manage a short week with less flexibility than it would like heading into a game that already carries plenty of weight.
Jeramiah McClouds absence adds another layer to the depth issue, since the defensive lineman is suspended for conduct detrimental to the team and will have his status re-evaluated after the game. Jon Sumrall also addressed Browns injury situation, saying the receiver is still pushing to get back after a recent setback, but for now Florida is left waiting on bodies as much as it is on answers. [Read more 🡒]