Former Florida wide receiver Antonio Callaway entered NFL draft week with as many red flags as reasons for a team to take a chance on him.
Based on talent alone, the troubled 21-year-old was a possible first-round pick. The question now is how far Callaway will fall.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Tuesday on his Twitter account that Callaway tested positive for marijuana at last month's NFL scouting combine.
According to Schefter and the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Callaway's test sample was "diluted." Rapoport tweeted Callaway "told those close to him he was over-hydrated and will address the issue with teams."
Callaway has a history of marijuana-related incidents.
The Miami native was cited for marijuana possession (fewer than 20 grams) in May 2017 while he was a passenger in the car of Kendrick Williams, a 40-year-old Gainesville man with a history of brushes with the law.
Callaway admitted during an August 2016 Title IX hearing at UF he was high on marijuana during an alleged sexual assault in December 2015. Callaway was suspended amid the allegations, but eventually found not responsible during the hearing.
Callaway then was suspended again last August, along with eight teammates, for his role in a credit card fraud scheme that cost him his junior season.
Added together, Callaway likely will fall down, if not completely off, the draft boards of many NFL teams.
"It's a hard call," ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said during a recent conference call. "He entered the year as one of the elite 15 best players at any position, possibly, that were draft eligible. So, the off-field concerns are what's going to be impacting him."
In 2015-16, Callaway had more catches (89), receiving yards (1,399) and total touchdowns (11) than any UF receiver. During the school's Pro Day, he showed up a bit out of shape but insisted he had learned from his mistakes.
"I mean they already know I'm a good athlete," he said. "Just know I'm not a bad person."
Prior to Tuesday's news, Callaway appeared poised to still land in the second or third rounds of the draft on Friday.
It is now increasingly interesting to see what team will be willing to give Callaway yet another chance to prove himself.
