Two prominent Florida Gators — De’Ante Saunders and Matt Patchan — no longer are part of the program and will finish their careers elsewhere

When UF arrived at New Orleans International Airport to begin preparation for Wednesday’s Sugar Bowl against Louisville (8:30 p.m., ESPN), coach Will Muschamp announced the departures. Neither player traveled with the team for the game.

“Really appreciate their time at Florida; we wish them the best,” he said. “I think they just needed a fresh start— both guys and both situations. That’s all I’ve got to say about it.”

Saunders, a sophomore defensive back, is a significant loss because he seemed to be a key part of the future. He started nine games at safety as a freshman in 2011, but became a headache for the staff.

In his first year, he was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession and was suspended for the game against Alabama for what Muschamp said was a separate issue. The team also benched him the first two games of this year as punishment for an unspecified problem.

When he came back, he played eight straight games — starting seven — before UF sat him out of the final two. Muschamp declared him out of the Sugar Bowl in mid-November but never gave a clear explanation for why.

With the possibility of starting safeties Josh Evans (a senior) and Matt Elam (a junior who could turn pro) leaving, Saunders would have been in good position to fight for a starting job in 2013. Instead he will transfer, sit out next year and be eligible as a red-shirt junior in 2014. Ironically, he told the Gainesville Sun he hopes to land at Louisville.

“He’s one of our brothers, so obviously we don’t want him leaving the program,” said linebacker Jon Bostic, a senior. “But that may be what’s best for him.”

Patchan, meanwhile, showed promise early in his career as a defensive and offensive tackle but had trouble staying healthy and has not played since November 2011. As a red-shirt junior, his options are limited, but he has an undergraduate degree and could enroll as a grad student at another FBS school and play right away.

Avoiding temptation: No offense to Jacksonville or Tampa, the Gators’ past two bowl destinations, but New Orleans is one of the most exciting cities in America. That presents much more of a challenge for the coaching staff to keep the team in line than when UF went to the Gator and Outback bowls.

“I’m going to see the city, but at the end of the day we’re here to play and that’s what we’re going to be focused on,” quarterback Jeff Driskel said. “We’re going to handle that. You’re not going to see any of our names in the paper.”

Bostic added, “Guys have been smart all year, making good decisions. Everybody’s gotta keep each other out of trouble and make sure we’re going in the right direction.”

The Gators are staying at downtown hotel near the French Quarter. Still, Muschamp believes his team is ready to navigate the distractions.

“The more mature teams generally have more success in bowl games because they understand when to focus and they understand when to have fun,” he said.