Dowling No Longer a Gator

Florida freshman Jonathan Dowling is no longer a part of the team. Head coach Urban Meyer announced Monday morning that the 6-3, 184-pound free safety is off the team due to a violation of team rules.

“Jon Dowling is no longer a member of the team,” Meyer said.

Jonathan Dowling was an Under Armour All-American during his senior year of high school at Bradenton Southeast High School. He was a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 5 safety in the country. Dowling totaled 28 interceptions during his junior and senior seasons of high school.

He chose Florida over Alabama, Florida State, Miami and Georgia.

Dowling was a ball hawk in the defensive backfield, but the urgency was for him to add weight while he redshirted this season.

Multiple players have been off the team at some point in their careers under Meyer, only to be reinstated later on after fulfilling specific duties. That isn’t expected to be the case with Dowling.

“Done,” Meyer said when asked if he could work his way back onto the team.