Worton Looking to Prove Himself at FIU After Transferring From Florida

Five years ago, C.J. Worton was a star at South Dade.

He racked up over 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns helping to lead the Buccaneers to their first state championship.

Worton signed with Florida, but after playing sparingly in three seasons he moved on.

He transferred to FIU as a walk-on to play for Butch Davis.

Worton sat out the 2017 season per NCAA transfer rules, eventually earned a scholarship this summer, and is looking forward to getting back on the field.

“I feel I’ve got everything to prove,” Worton said. “I felt like I was a good talent when I was playing at the University of Florida, but unfortunately things happen and I feel like I didn’t get a chance to show my full potential. Coming here and being with Butch, and just talking to him and the other coaches, I feel like it’s a good opportunity for me to put my talents on display.”

Davis announced to the team Worton would be put on scholarship after asking him if he had a job. Worton stood and replied he was working in construction. Davis responded by saying he had 24 hours to quit the job because he would be on scholarship drawing a loud applause from the team.

“It was amazing,” Worton said. “It was a humbling experience to go from a top-five university at Florida and really having to ask myself, ‘Is this something that you want to?’”

Worton played in 13 games at Florida catching 10 passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns. He left after the 2016 season and has settled into his new home at FIU.

“It’s been great,” Worton said. “I love the atmosphere. Coach Davis is building something special so I’m proud to be a part of it.”

He had a decision to make on where to transfer.

“There was a number of other schools,” Worton said. “It was just difficult really trying to gauge how much eligibility I would have left because of my time at Florida with t

he medical redshirt rule. Time really started becoming short and I met with coach (Aubrey) Hill and talked to coach Butch and I decided to coming back home and being

surrounded by good

people was ultimately what I needed so this worked out for me

perfect.”

As of now, Worton has one year of eligibility remaining, but there is a possibility he could play in 2019 after applying for a medical redshirt.

“We’ll see what happens with that, but I just have to go out and attack every practice like it is my last year,” Worton said.

Preseason practices begin Friday morning.

“A lot of people here know the potential that I have and they all expect--not only expect, but are relying on me to play to it,” Worton said.

FIU opens its season at home against Indiana on Sept. 1.

“I’m stoked,” Worton said. “If this is my last one, I want to have no regrets about it.”