Florida safety Marcell Harris to miss 2017 season with torn Achilles

Florida Gators starting safety Marcell Harris will miss the 2017 season after suffering an Achilles injury during workouts

The Florida Gators will be aiming for a third consecutive trip to the SEC Championship Game this coming season if they can claim another SEC East crown, but they suffered a huge blow to the defensive side of the ball on Wednesday with the loss of starting safety Marcell Harris.

According to a release from the team on Thursday, Harris suffered a torn right Achilles tendon injury during team workouts, rendering him unavailable for the 2017 college football season. In the release, head coach Jim McElwain released the following statement.

“As a coach this is one of the hardest things you are faced with,” McElwain said. “Here is a kid who has made great personal growth during his time here and has really matured both on and off the field. It is tough to see a player invest so much in himself and his teammates and have this happen, but I do know that we will support him every step of the way as he works through this injury.”

This is a crushing blow to the Florida defense, mainly because the Gators are rebuilding on that side of the ball. Harris, a redshirt senior on the group, was brining the experience and leadership they needed, which won’t be there on the field now.

Last season in 13 games for Florida, Harris recorded 73 tackles including four for loss, with one sack and two interceptions. He was a key part in that secondary in helping lead Florida to a second consecutive SEC East crown and another shot at the Alabama Crimson Tide. Now, McElwain is tasked with replacing one of his best players on defense as they begin a quest for a third.

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As for the future of Harris in Gainesville, well, this might not spell the end of his career for the Gators. With the injury taking place in the preseason at this particular time, he can apply for a medical redshirt, granting him a chance to return to the team in 2018. He would need to bypass the NFL Draft, of course, which may be the best course of action for him with an injury such as this.

Florida opens up the 2017 season on September 2 with a huge out-of-conference game against the Michigan Wolverines.