GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida released a bombshell on Sunday afternoon, suspending seven players for the team's season opener against Michigan.

Among the players suspended are star receiver Antonio Callaway and junior defensive end Keivonnis Davis, according to a Florida press release. Other suspended are offensive tackle Kadeem Telfort, defensive linemen Richerd Desir-Jones and Jordan Smith, and linebackers James Houston and Ventrell Miller.

"We have a small group of players that have made some choices that are extremely disappointing," coach Jim McElwain said in a press release. "Action has been taken – they have missed some practice and will miss the Michigan game. We will use this as a learning opportunity and we will have some players step up as we move forward."

Florida's press release did not specify a reason for the suspensions, but sources informed GatorBait.net that they stem from a misuse of school-issued funds intended for specific use.

Some of the players involved used the funds from part of their scholarship agreement to buy electronics equipment, then later reported the cards stolen. Some players sold the electronics equipment purchased with the school-issued funds.

Sources informed GatorBait.net that the purchases have been either returned or the school funds used will be paid back by the athletes.

Callaway's involvement is noteworthy because he had already faced internal discipline stemming from a misdemeanor marijuana citation in the spring. Coach Jim McElwain has never explicitly stated that he wouldn't be suspended for the Michigan game, but said at the team media day that it would be "all hands on deck" and had previously said Callaway has already faced internal consequences.

Prior to the spring citation, the star receiver hadn't previously been charged with any form of marijuana offense, but he did admit in a Title IX investigation of an alleged sexual assault in 2015 that he was too high to have sex.

Callaway is Florida's leading receiver. He caught 54 passes for 721 yards and three touchdowns in 2016.

Davis was expected to be a key rotational player in Florida's defensive line. He recorded 27 tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, 5 quarterback hurries and a forced fumble in 2016.

The losses will put Florida at a real disadvantage in its season opener against Michigan. Though the Wolverines must replace plenty of starters themselves, coach Jim Harbaugh has recruited well.

GatorBait.net will have more on the impact of this developing story shortly.

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Contact Thomas Goldkamp by 247Sports' personal messaging system or on Twitter at @ThomasGoldkamp.