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Gators' Ingram Out For Season

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By KARL HYPPOLITE

Tribune correspondent

Published: August 8, 2008

GAINESVILLE - Florida's passing game just took an unexpected blow. One day after saying tight end Cornelius Ingram would have an MRI to determine the severity of a left knee injury he suffered Tuesday, Coach Urban Meyer confirmed the redshirt senior suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Ingram will miss the season.

"He was a real popular guy, and his teammates took it real hard," Meyer said. "He took it real hard, and hopefully they'll take it as a way to make the offense stronger. One guy goes down and others step up."

Ingram tore his ACL during a one-on-one drill Tuesday.

Meyer, quarterback Tim Tebow and 11 players visited Ingram late Wednesday night after the results of the MRI were released to the team.

"It's tough, because it was going to be a big year for him and he's not going to be able to experience it," Tebow said. "It's a bit of a letdown for everybody, but he's also a very resilient guy and he's going to get motivated and work and make a big impact on the next level."

Sophomore Aaron Hernandez figures to receive more playing time following Ingram's injury. The Gators intended to use a variety of two-tight-end formations featuring Ingram and Hernandez. The Hawthorne native's injury likely puts that idea to rest unless senior Tate Casey re-enters the fold after receiving a medical redshirt last season.

"I've just got to step it up, because Ingram was a great player," Hernandez said. "That guy was basically a professional athlete, and he was a great role model for me. I was just trying to learn as much as I can from him."

Ingram mulled entering his name into April's NFL draft, but decided to return for his senior season in hopes that a big year would raise his stock. Ingram caught 34 passes for 508 yards and seven touchdowns last season.

Instead of entering the 2009 NFL draft, Ingram could explore applying for a medical redshirt to try to boost his stock for the 2010 draft. Casey appears to be the best person to advise Ingram during his decision-making process.

The process of applying for a medical redshirt is convoluted, according to Casey, but it might be the best option for Ingram.

"There's a lot of stuff that goes on behind the scenes," Casey said. "It was real stressful for me, because for like eight months I didn't know if I was going to play or not. I was ready to graduate, so I had to pick up two minors and pretty much make straight-A's in classes just to have a chance. We'll see what happens."

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