Florida’s receiving room could get a major boost Saturday, but for now Eric Singleton Jr. remains in question for the Gators’ matchup with Ole Miss at The Swamp.
Singleton and Rebels running back Kewan Lacy were both listed as questionable for the Sept. 26 game, set for 3:30 p.m. on ABC. For Florida, that status matters because Singleton has been out since he hurt his ankle on a block during the Gators’ first offensive series of the season opener.
The 5-foot-10, 184-pound transfer from Auburn brought a proven production profile with him to Gainesville. Last season, he caught 58 passes for 534 yards and three touchdowns.
Even without him, Florida’s offense has rolled. Under first-year offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, the No. 22 Gators are 3-0 overall and 1-0 in SEC play, and they’ve put up at least 44 points in each of their first three games.
"When we get him back, that's a bonus for us," Faulkner said. "Because he adds an element that everybody wants and that's elite speed, elite toughness, he's a competitor."
Ole Miss, meanwhile, is monitoring Lacy after a shoulder issue slowed him down in the Rebels’ 32-24 win over LSU. He missed most of the second half in that game and has been working with limited reps in practice this week, according to coach Pete Golding.
Lacy entered the season after finishing second in the SEC in rushing last year with 1,564 yards and 24 touchdowns. So far this season, he has carried the ball 39 times for 191 yards and four scores.
Florida defensive coordinator Brad White didn’t downplay what Lacy brings when he’s right.
"He's a game changer," Florida defensive coordinator Brad White said. "When you watch him carry the football, he operates at a different speed. And there was a there a play last week that they got him hemmed up and he makes a jump cut and turns a corner, oh my goodness.
"So, any time you have a game changer, a top player at your position, that's gonna affect them. They've got good backs. We're anticipating him being full speed and ready to rock and roll, and I'd expect nothing less."
Singleton was the only Florida player listed on the SEC’s availability report released Wednesday, Sept. 23. Ole Miss had several names on its report as well: cornerback Cedrick Beavers, safety MJ Preston and safety Craig Tutt were questionable, while cornerback Dorian Barney, linebacker Ant Davis Jr., linebacker JaMichael Garrett, cornerback Victor Lincoln Jr., offensive lineman Jalan Chapman and offensive lineman Emanuel Faulkner were out.
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Their concern is easy to read from a state perspective, especially with Florida State, Miami and South Florida all having a stake in how conference membership evolves. The bill would force schools that move between Power Four conferences to sit independently for three years, and Moody has already floated an amendment to create an escape hatch under certain conditions. For now, the pushback leaves the issue unresolved, with the real question being how much control Congress should have over one of college sports most volatile pressure points. [Read more 🡒]