The start of Florida’s preseason football camp, originally scheduled for Friday, has been pushed back to Aug. 17.
The move is part of the SEC’s new preseason model, which was released by the league Tuesday. The model was developed based on recommendations of the SEC’s Return to Activity and Medical Guidance Task Force.
Starting on Aug. 17, the Gators will practice 25 times over a 40-day period leading up to the season opener Sept. 26. The league is providing players with more days off and fewer practices than permitted by the NCAA.
Practice time will be limited to 20 hours a week, and the players will have two days off each week until the week before the first game of the season.
At the start of camp, a five-day acclimatization period is required, with two days in helmets only, two days in shells and the fifth day in full pads.
Last week, the SEC went to a 10-game conference only schedule, pushing the start of the season back from Sept. 5 to Sept. 26, which has led to the later start day for camp.
The Gators will be active between now and the start of camp.
From Friday through Aug. 16, schools are permitted to conduct up to 14 hours per week of strength and conditioning, meetings and walkthroughs.
Over the past two weeks, schools have had a 20-hour rule that includes walkthroughs without pads, workout sessions and meetings.
