UPDATED 4:30 P.M. ET: The University Athletics Association released a statement that Gerald Willis III will transfer from the football program.

Statement from UAA: Gerald Willis will be transferring from the football program. — GatorZone Football (@GatorZoneFB) January 6, 2015



ORIGINAL: According to a report from Zach Abolverdi of the Gainesville Sun, Florida has parted ways with troubled defensive lineman Gerald Willis III after numerous off-the-field incidents.

Willis' father, Gerald Willis Jr., denied the report that his son has been dismissed from the team. A Florida spokesman declined comment, but head coach Jim McElwain will meet with the media on Wednesday for a previously scheduled press conference.

Willis missed two games early in the year for undisclosed off-the-field issues. He later was involved in an altercation with teammate Skyler Mornhinweg over a misunderstanding over cleats. Most recently Willis was tagged with a late hit penalty on Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston so far out of bounds that he was sent to the locker room for the rest of the game, and coach Will Muschamp said after the game that if he were still coaching, Willis would no longer be a part of the program.

The freshman did travel with the team to the Birmingham Bowl, where he played extensively and forced a key fumble early in the game with East Carolina threatening to score from the 1-yard line. He finished the season with 14 tackles, 0.5 tackles for a loss, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery.

#Gators DL Gerald Willis III has been dismissed from the #UF football team, according to sources. He hopes to transfer to Texas A&M. — Zach Abolverdi (@ZachAbolverdi) January 6, 2015



