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Florida linebacker Diwun Black dismissed from team

On3 imageby: Zach Abolverdi11/16/22ZachAbolverdi
On3 image
Anna Carrington/UAA Photo

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida linebacker Diwun Black is no longer a member of the football team, Gators Online has learned.

The former JUCO transfer was dismissed from the Gators on Sunday for undisclosed disciplinary reasons, according to a source close to the program. Black is no longer listed on the 2022 roster.

Florida coach Billy Napier described it an academic issue.

“Diwun is focusing on academics right now,” he said. “It’s really important that he has additional time for academics. That’s all I’ll say about that.”

Black played in four games this season, making three tackles against Eastern Washington and recovering Florida’s onside kick (the program’s first since 2000) in the fourth quarter at Tennessee.

Diwun Black saw action in 10 games last year, finishing with four tackles. He was the No. 1-ranked JUCO recruit in the 2021 class and signed with UF out of high school.

Napier praised Black in the spring for his effort during offseason workouts.

“One thing I would say about Diwun Black, during identity program I wrote his name down multiple days. He’s probably the gold standard when it came to effort in the program. And the guys really bought in,” Napier said.

“He’s completely changed his reputation in the building relative to his attitude, his work ethic. How he goes about his business. He’s really academically had a decent (spring) semester. He needs to continue to work hard, but I’ve been very pleased.”

Black is the second defender who’s been dismissed from the Gators during the season. Starting outside linebacker Brenton Cox Jr. was kicked off the team after the Florida-Georgia game.

While Cox has declared for the NFL Draft, Black has one year of eligibility remaining after taking a redshirt this year. He will be one of now seven Gators entering the portal next month.

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