This isn't what Cornelius Ingram had in his mind when he decided to return for his senior year.
UF's senior tight end, after missing practice Wednesday, is out for the season with a torn left ACL. Ingram was projected to go in the top three rounds of the NFL Draft, but he elected to return to Florida to become a more complete tight end and improve his blocking skills.
Ingram suffered the injury in practice, but did not think it was serious at the time. In 2007 he had 508 receiving yards and tied for a team-high seven touchdowns.
"CI helped me a lot to get where I am right now," said sophomore tight end Aaron Hernandez, who will be counted on to replace Ingram. "It's going to hurt us a lot."
Hernandez, the top prep tight end in 2007 according to Scout.com, struggled at the beginning of his freshman year, but he progressed well and had significant playing time in the latter part of the season.
It is unknown whether Ingram will try for a medical redshirt. Last season offensive tackle Phil Trautwein missed the season with a fractured foot but still regained another year of eligibility.
"He's still going to be a part of the team like I was last year," Trautwein said "He's upset, but we're going to do this for him."
Ingram was one of the 31 players put on the watch list for the John Mackey Award, given to the top tight end in the country.
"He was a real popular guy and (the teammates) took it real hard," Coach Urban Meyer said. "He's one of my favorite players or all time."
