Florida tight end Cornelius Ingram will reportedly miss the entire college football season due to a ACL injury that he suffered on Tuesday. This is a huge blow for the Gators explosive offense and will take away some of its firepower.

Sure Tim Tebow, Percy Harvin, and Chris Rainey are the names you are familiar with for making big plays in Florida’s explosive spread offense but Ingram plays a very important role. He makes big catches and since he actually went to Gainesville as a wide receiver (and was converted to tight end) provides speed and athleticism few tight ends in the country can match up to.

The injury occurred in a 7 on 7 drill. Ingram showed how tough he was initially because he didn’t believe the injury was serious but his knee swelled later that night and a MRI revealed that his ACL is completely torn.

Florida had been working on a two tight end formation that would feature both Ingram and Anthony Hernandez. Now it appears Tate Casey will have to be the one in Ingram’s shoes, trying to make the formation a success.

“It’s the hardest part of the game, the hardest part of coaching and the hardest part of playing, especially when you’ve got a guy like that who does everything right,” Meyer said. (source: ESPN.com)

The Heisman Trophy winner didn’t take the news much better either.

“You feel terrible for [Ingram],” the Florida quarterback said. “He’s such a big part of what we were planning to do, and I know he was going to have a great season. We’ve got to handle it, deal with it and go on, but it’s not easy.”.(source: ESPN.com)

Ingram almost decided to leave early for the NFL this past season but decided to stick around for another go at a national title. He could petition the NCAA for a sixth year but Meyer is pretty sure that the NFL will be the next place you see the inspired tight end.

Good luck Cornelius, things are going to be a lot tougher without you this season.