Opportunity Ahead for Gators receiver C.J. Worton
Wednesday, September 14, 2016 | Football, Scott Carter
The oft-injured Worton is back at a good time with questions about Antonio Callaway's availability Saturday.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- C.J. Worton was still sweaty after practice when he was met by a large group of reporters inside Florida's indoor practice facility.
The scene Tuesday was an unusual one for a player with eight career receptions in three seasons.
Why the heightened interest? As opportunities go, Worton has a sizeable one heading into Saturday's game against North Texas.
Coach Jim McElwain confirmed after practice Wednesday that Gators receiver Antonio Callaway, the team's most explosive playmaker, is highly questionable for Saturday's game due to a quad injury.
Callaway's injury, combined with a season-ending injury to Dre Massey in the season opener and the loss (again) of freshman Tyrie Cleveland due to a hamstring issue, has left Florida's receiving corps thin.
Worton was on the injury list two weeks ago, missing the opener against UMass because of a high-ankle sprain he suffered in the middle of preseason camp.
A junior who played at South Dade High in Homestead, Worton caught two passes for 19 yards in Florida's 45-7 win over Kentucky and hopes that is just a preview of more to come.
"You miss four weeks and the offense starts filling in those pieces where you were and you just get back out here and you try to work your way back in, and you start making plays and you just start catching back on and that's when you click," Worton said. "The more I can do that, the more I can put myself in good places and make plays in practice, the more it will show in the game."
Injuries are nothing new to Worton during his time at Florida. In Florida's 28 games since Worton joined the program in 2014, he has played in only nine.
And his season debut Saturday didn't exactly get off to a riveting start. On quarterback Luke Del Rio's first pass to Worton, the ball was thrown behind him and bounced off his hands for an interception.
Worton got a pick-me-up from his teammates when he got to the sideline.
"It wasn't the best throw, but we've seen you make catches like that before,'' Worton said of their message.
Worton entered the offseason encouraged by his most memorable play at Florida, a 46-yard touchdown catch in the SEC Championship Game against Alabama. Worton jumped between two Crimson Tide defenders in the end zone to pull down a pass from quarterback Treon Harris for the score, one of the Gators' few highlights in a 29-15 loss.
He was listed as a starter on the depth chart at the start of preseason camp before the ankle injury during one-on-one drills in practice.
The injury forced Worton to dig deep into his psyche to overcome yet another injury.
"Mentally, you work so hard all through the season and you keep trying to overcome injuries and everything starts looking like it's going to be on track, and you just get that setback again," Worton said. "You're just like, 'Man, this is the same position I was in last year. I've got to do something to turn it around.' "
Worton was finally able to return to the lineup against the Wildcats to mixed reviews.
"He played like it was his first time playing," McElwain said. "I thought he was a little tentative, but he came up with a couple of big catches on third down and that was good to see."
Worton was relieved to have more opportunities after his first chance at a catch turned into an interception.
"You're just like 'oh man. I hope no one catches it there.' But as soon as you see that, you try to get back up on your feet and just pray for the best and know that if they do pick it, you have to go and chase them down.
"It felt so good being out there. It felt great going through practice and not having to be in the training room. I think I played pretty well. You know, not my best, but I think I played pretty well when I was able to fill in there."
With Callaway questionable, Cleveland and Massey out, and a lack of experience at receiver, Del Rio is looking for Worton and others to make a difference against the Mean Green.
"Antonio is obviously a tremendously talented player. He's one of our best players on the team,'' Del Rio said. "You do want to get these young guys some reps and some throws to them, get some live action because it is invaluable. It's different. Game speed is very different."
Worton knows that all too well from his time on the sideline. He is now trying to catch up.
