GAINESVILLE — Florida reserve
offensive lineman Devon Manuel
was arrested for driving under the influence of marijuana and possession of a concealed firearm, according to
Alachua County court records
.
Gainesville Police pulled over Manuel’s green Dodge Charger for driving 60 mph in a 45-mph zone. An officer detected the smell of marijuana and ascertained Manuel did not have a medical marijuana card.
The 22-year-old admitted he had ingested a hit of the substance prior to driving, and also volunteered he had a black Glock 9 mm firearm in between the driver’s seat and center console. After he exited the vehicle, Manuel then “performed poorly” during an standardized field sobriety exercises, per the report.
He was arrested at 12:22 a.m. Friday for misdemeanor unlawful speeding and driving under the influence, a first-degree misdemeanor.
Manuel, 22 and a redshirt senior, is the third UF player arrested this offseason.
Starting cornerback
Dijon Johnson was arrested
on May 2 in his hometown of Tampa for possession of a firearm during commission of a felony, a second-degree felony charge, and possession of a controlled substance, a third-degree felony. He also was charged with possession of cannabis of less than 20 grams and resisting an officer without violence, each a first-degree misdemeanor.
True freshman offensive lineman Stephon Shivers was arrested on June 1 for false imprisonment after an altercation with a female, the
Gainesville Sun reported
.
UF coach Billy Napier said Shivers is no longer with the team but did not offer an update on Johnson.
The 6-foot-7, 307-pound Manuel is expected to provide valuable depth at UF a season after he appeared in three games. Napier recruited Manuel, a
3-star prospect from Louisiana
, when UF’s fourth-year coach was in Lafayette. But Manuel opted for Arkansas, where he played in nine games in 2023 after redshirting in 2022.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at
