Former star Florida football recruit Chris Steele is transferring out of the program.
GatorSports.com reported the following Thursday:
The decision stems from a request Steele made to the staff during his first month on campus, the source said. He asked to be moved to a different dorm because he was uncomfortable rooming with quarterback Jalon Jones, his classmate.
The staff did not plan to move Steele until the summer, which upset Steele and his parents, according to the source.
For those of you who might not know, Jones is also transferring away from the Gators after he was accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women. Steele was a top 50 recruit in the country, and now he’s going to find a new team. (RELATED: Florida Quarterback Jalon Jones Accused Of Sexual Battery, Is Looking To Transfer)
Clearly, he didn’t feel comfortable being around Jones, and given the accusations against the star quarterback recruit, I think Steele’s judgement should maybe have been trusted by the coaching staff. Obviously, Jones is presumed innocent, and he hasn’t even been charged after the sexual battery claims by two women.
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What an absolute disaster for Florida. More than anything, it’s incredibly embarrassing. A young man asked to be moved because he was uncomfortable with his roommate, the team didn’t move fast enough, the quarterback later gets accused of sexual misconduct and now both are leaving the school.
It’s a very bad look for Dan Mullen’s program.
The last thing you want as a college football coach is to give off the perception a player had very real concerns, they weren’t taken seriously enough, and then the player just dipped.
Good for Steele for making a move when he felt like his concerns weren’t being listened to. Mullen might have some damage control to deal with on his hands, and I don’t really pity him. When a player tells you he wants a different roommate, you don’t wait until the summer to see if you trust his judgement.