Ex-QB Harris to transfer from UF
Treon Harris, the Gators quarterback for the latter part of last season, has decided to transfer, looking for a fresh start after two tumultuous seasons in Gainesville. He is the seventh quarterback to leave Florida in the last four years.
GAINESVILLE — Treon
Harris’ rocky career with the Florida Gators is over.
Harris has been given his release by UF and will transfer, his older brother — FIU running backs coach Tim
Harris Jr. — told the Orlando Sentinel.
Harris started 15 games during two seasons with the Gators, finishing 174-of-346 passing (50.2 percent) for 2,695 yards with 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also rushed for 570 yards on 171 carries (3.3 yards per carry) and three touchdowns — all during his freshman season in 2014.
Harris, however, essentially was forced into a starting role each of the past two seasons and was expected to switch to wide receiver during the 2016 season.
In 2014, Harris replaced struggling starter Jeff Driskel and led a comeback win at Tennessee. Harris was the season-opening starter in 2015 while embroiled in a quarterback competition with Will Grier. Grier won the job in Week 3 at Kentucky, but Harris stepped in to replace him when the NCAA suspended Grier Oct. 12 for violating its policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
A dual-threat quarterback while starring at Miami’s Booker T. Washington High School, Harris proved to be ill-suited for coach Jim McElwain’s offense last season. Harris failed to make quick decisions and at 5-foot-11 was unable to find open receivers as the Gators’ offense languished, scoring just two offensive touchdowns during a season-ending three-game skid.
Harris’ struggles led to strong backlash from fans, but his career might be best remembered for his off-thefield issues.
Harris and sophomore receiver Antonio Callaway have been on suspension for violating the school’s student code of conduct. The university has not disclosed any further details about the violation.
Harris also was suspended for last season’s Tennessee game. Following the win against the Vols in 2014, Harris was accused of sexual battery and suspended, but his accuser within days would withdraw her complaint.
Gator raises
The Florida Gators defense has continued its dominance under Geoff Collins, leading Collins to receive a raise of nearly $300,000 and the chance to earn more than $1 million annually.
The Gators’ University Athletic Association released the contract details Monday of several of McElwain’s assistant coaches.
Included among them was a two-year extension and raise to $498,500 annually for veteran offensive line coach Mike Summers, the only holdover from former coach Will Muschamp’s staff in 2014.
Summers’ original deal paid $200,000 annually because USC still owed Summers from his time there.
Still, Collins’ new contract stood out.
The 45-year-old originally inked a three-year deal worth $600,000 annually after to coming to UF from Mississippi State. Collins, who was linked to some head coaching jobs during the offseason, now will earn $890,000 in salary.
Collins also will earn an annual retention bonus of $150,000 if he stays at UF.
According to USA Today, nine assistant coaches made at least $1 million in 2015.
Under Collins, the Gators finished eighth in the nation in total defense despite shouldering the load to offset the team’s struggling offense.
Defensive line coach
Chris Rumph will earn $500,000 annually, a raise of $85,000, and received a oneyear extension, keeping him at UF through 2017.
New defensive backs coach Torrian Gray inked a two-year deal worth $335,000 a year. Linebackers coach Randy Shannon received a slight bump, from $400,000 to $409,750.