Gators center Jason Jitoboh out for season following eye surgery

Gators center Jason Jitoboh will be out for the remainder of the season, head coach Mike White announced Friday.

Jitoboh had surgery on his left eye Friday at 1 p.m., White said, after suffering an injury Wednesday in Florida’s loss at Tennessee.

“He’s surgery as we speak. He’s done for the season,” White said. “There are one or more issues that have been brought to my attention. I would ask that anyone out there to keep him in your thoughts in prayers. I mean, it’s significant. You wouldn’t want it for anybody.

“He’s a wonderful young man. It’s just a really tough loss. … He was coming into his own, 6-of-6 at Ole Miss. Gets off to a great start in Knoxville. Really dominating the paint, setting great screens.”

Jitoboh caught a left hand to the face from Tennessee’s Olivier Nkamahoua late in the first half and did not return to the game, derailing Florida’s chances. That was his fourth straight start in place of UF star Colin Castleton, who’s out indefinitely with a shoulder injury.

Jitoboh had lost more than 50 pounds since last season and was down to 285.

“These guys are sick for Jason right now. Sick for him,” White said. “What this kid has overcome to put himself in a position to step in to replace the best big in our league, and now he’s got it rolling a little bit.

“They’re really close with Jason, and now he’s out. It’s over for him this season. So, who knows what it’s going to look like for Colin. It’s just been really hard. … These guys are going to continue to fight, I guarantee you that.”

The Gators (12-8/3-5 SEC) host Oklahoma State (10-9/3-5 Big 12) Saturday at 4 p.m. on ESPN2 in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.