Attorney for suspended Florida WR Antonio Callaway says allegation has no merit

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- The attorney for Florida receiver Antonio Callaway said Friday his client was suspended for violating the university's student code of conduct and that the allegation "has no merit."

Callaway and quarterback Treon Harris were suspended in late January. Coach Jim McElwain declined to disclose any details about the suspensions earlier this week, saying only that Callaway and Harris would not be on the field for the start of spring practice.

Attorney Huntley Johnson provided some specifics in a letter to media members, but he did not reveal the nature of the allegations.

Johnson said Callaway was suspended January 27 for an "incident which supposedly occurred in early December 2015." He said Callaway was suspended pending resolution of the accusation.

"At this time the University of Florida has not presented to Mr. Callaway or (his counsel) any evidence relating to Mr. Callaway's suspension," Johnson wrote. "Be that as it may, the law firm of Johnson & Osteryoung has conducted its own investigation as to the allegation that is the basis for the suspension. There is no good reason why this investigation has not been closed. This allegation has no merit."

Callaway played in every game as a freshman last season. He caught for 35 passes for 678 yards and four touchdowns. He also returned 28 punts for 435 yards and two scores.

He is expected to be the team's go-to receiver and maybe the team's best offensive player this fall, assuming he gets back on the field.

McElwain said Monday that Callaway and Harris are "still doing some school work and that kind of stuff. But they haven't been with us since January and they won't be with us as we're rolling, so you won't see those guys out there at practice."

McElwain was pressed for more information several times, but responded each time with "that will be the last we talk about it."