Florida Gators Defensive Lineman to Miss Rest of Spring Camp with Knee Injury

Head coach Jon Sumrall confirmed the injury and gave other updates after Tuesday's practice.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 7:20pm

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A fragmented, abstract painting depicting the explosive movements and collisions of a defensive lineman, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in deep green, orange, and blue hues.A cubist interpretation of a defensive lineman's raw power and athleticism, reflecting the high-intensity action of spring football practices.Gainesville Today

A Florida Gators newcomer, defensive lineman Mason Clinton, will miss the rest of spring camp after undergoing surgery to repair the meniscus in his left knee. Head coach Jon Sumrall confirmed the injury and said Clinton will be out for a couple of weeks but should return after that.

Why it matters

Clinton was seen as a high-upside piece to the defensive line room who needed some shaping up by defensive line coach Gerald Chatman. His absence will impact the Gators' defensive line depth and development during spring practices.

The details

Clinton joined Florida this offseason after stints at Louisiana, East Mississippi Community College, and Southern Miss. Throughout the first half of spring camp, Clinton was a focus for Chatman as the coach worked to get him adjusted to the new environment and coaching style.

  • Clinton underwent surgery last week.
  • He will miss the remainder of spring camp.

The players

Mason Clinton

A redshirt junior defensive lineman who transferred to Florida from Southern Miss.

Jon Sumrall

The head coach of the Florida Gators football team.

Gerald Chatman

The defensive line coach for the Florida Gators.

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What they’re saying

“He's out. Out for the spring. Not a major long-term deal. A couple weeks, he'll be back. But it looks like he'll be out for the remainder of spring.”

— Jon Sumrall, Head Coach

“I think sometimes when we bring a transfer in, it's a new environment. There's new players, there's a new coach, so just getting adjusted to the new environment. And then, like I said, my coaching style is a little bit different, and it's very demanding. So, sometimes, it may be a challenge for guys to have to deal with that on the daily.”

— Gerald Chatman, Defensive Line Coach

What’s next

Clinton is expected to return to the team in a couple of weeks after recovering from his knee surgery.

The takeaway

Clinton's injury is a setback for the Gators' defensive line depth, but the team is optimistic he will make a full recovery and be able to contribute once he returns from the injury.