McCalister out vs. ‘Bama, 5-star QB Eason to visit UF

Jacob Eason, a 5-star QB who is committed to UGA, will arrive in Gainesville on Tuesday for an official visit.

Jacob Eason, a 5-star QB who is committed to UGA, will arrive in Gainesville on Tuesday for an official visit.

Published on Monday, 11/30/15, at 10:24 p.m. Eastern.

There was good and bad news out of Gainesville today. The bad news is that DE Alex McCalister, a likely All-SEC selection with 6.5 sacks this year, has been ruled ‘out’ of Saturday’s SEC Championship Game against Alabama at the Ga. Dome.

McCalister suffered a foot injury in UF’s 24-14 win at South Carolina on Nov. 14.

The good news is that DTs Joey Ivie and Jonathan Bullard are ‘probable’ against the Crimson Tide.

Also, long-time Georgia commit Jacob Eason out of Lake Stevens, Washington, is going to make an official visit to Florida. Eason, a five-star QB who is ranked the nation’s No. 5 overall prospect by 247Sports.com, is clearly considering other options until UGA hires a new coach. 247’s Luke Stampini was the first to report this news.

Eason is very close with Mark Richt, who said today that he’s already been contacted by “about five” schools. Missouri is reportedly one of them and the guess here is that Miami and South Carolina are two others. Maryland and/or Virginia might be the other two, but Richt would undoubtedly prefer Missouri, Miami or South Carolina over those difficult jobs.

Eason could follow Richt to whatever school he chooses. Then again, the chance for immediate playing time at UF could make Gainesville an extremely attractive destination. Remember, Will Grier will be a junior next season and can’t play until UF’s seventh game.

Eason plans to enroll in January in order to participate in spring practice with hopes of earning a starting job right away as a true freshman. With Grier’s situation, coupled with the shaky play of Treon Harris recently, Eason would have a great chance to instantly become the starter for the Gators in 2016.

Mike Leach reportedly paid Eason a visit today, but Washington St. star QB Luke Falk is only a sophomore. If Falk isn’t — at worst — a third-team All-American QB this year, it will be a crime.

The Westgate SuperBook opened Alabama as a 17.5-point favorite vs. Florida early Sunday morning in Las Vegas. The total opened at 40.5 points early Monday, but that number has been adjusted down to 39.5. The Gators are +600 on the money line (risk $100 to win $600).

You can follow all the line moves for the SEC Championship Game here.

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