The good news for Will Muschamp and Florida: After years of consistent run-ins with the law, 2013 has finally been quiet where the Gators and the police blotter are concerned. The bad news: That was only true until Sunday.
Per the Florida Times-Union and other reports, Gators sophomore linebacker Antonio Morrison was arrested early Sunday morning and charged with simple battery, a misdemeanor, after an incident at a Gainesville nightclub.
According to Gainesville police and Morrison's arrest report, Morrison became angry after being told he wouldn't be granted free admission to the Kava Lounge. "Don't you know who I am? I'm a football player," he said, "I'm Antonio."
He then allegedly punched the nightclub's bouncer in the head, got into what officers called a "scuffle," per the Associated Press, and left in a car. According to the AP, police said the incident "wasn't that big of a deal."
Morrison, 19, was arrested later on campus and reportedly admitted to officers he had been in the area and drinking.
Neither Florida nor Muschamp have commented publicly on the arrest.
Morrison was one of the Gators' most promising young players in 2012, appearing in all 13 games and starting 3 as a true freshman. He finished the season with 34 tackles and one critical forced fumble, a momentum-changer in the Gator victory over against Florida State.
Morrison, who is from Bolingbrook, Ill., is expected to be the Gators' starting middle linebacker this season, with Muschamp saying during the spring he believed Morrison to have All-SEC potential.
The Gators open the season at home Aug. 31 against Toledo.
