Florida wide receiver Andre Debose has been lost for the season due to a knee injury, according to gatorcountry.com. The website reported the fifth-year senior will miss the season after injuring his knee in practice.
Although the former five-star recruit had been only marginally productive as a receiver in his career, he was among the top kickoff returners in Southeastern Conference history.
But was it really a blow to the Gators' offense?
Based on last season, the answer would be a resounding "no." However, with his last college season staring him in the face, Debose had reportedly undergone a significant attitude adjustment since last season, when he loafed, clashed with coaches, and got a lengthy look at the inside of coach Will Muschamp's dog house.
A refocused Debose might have been an option for a Florida team desperate for some playmaking at the wide receiver position. Now, it appears the Gators won't get the chance to find out what Debose was prepared to deliver. As a fifth-year senior, Debose's options for his football career are two: 1) Apply for medical hardship status with the NCAA for a sixth season of eligibility next year, something rarely granted absent unique circumstances; or 2) Try to recover the blazing speed Debose has always possessed in time for the NFL Scouting Combine next February. The latter option would certainly leave questions about Debose's attitude lingering. Questions about his size (5-11, 190) would follow him either way.
Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter @ChaseGoodbread.