Trask unfazed by backup status in quarterback battle
GAINESVILLE — Florida redshirt freshman quarterback Kyle Trask is not a very excitable guy, and that can work to his benefit at times.
Sure, the Gators might like him to be more assertive and fiery on the field. Teammates have acknowledged that fellow redshirt freshman Feleipe Franks is more vocal in the huddle, which is an important quality for quarterbacks.
But Trask’s even keel also buoyed him Fr iday night after Florida’s spring game reve aled that Franks had clearly seized the No. 1 spot on the depth chart. Franks worked exclusively with the first-team offense during his entire time on the field.
Trask, who mostly worked with the second team, didn’t seem fazed afterward. Nor did he indicate anything has changed for him.
“I think just keeping my head low and just keep grinding,” he said of what he needs to do. “It’s going to be a dogfight until the very end. So all I’ve got to do is keep working my tail off.”
One had to feel bad for Trask, though. Playing behind the backup offensive line, he was under frequent duress and not really set up for success Friday night.
He finished 6-of-15 for 66 yards, no touchdowns and an interception on an ill-advised pass that cornerback Duke Dawson tipped in the air and linebacker Vosean Joseph picked.
“I definitely felt like (defensive tackle) Khairi Clark, he was in my face just about every play. That’s what it felt like,” Trask said.
Trask was 2-for-2 for 35 yards in his limited opportunity with the first team later in the game.
“All I can do is control what I can control, so I’m just going to keep working,” he said. “It was tough at times going against the best defense in the country, but like I said, I made it a big emphasis just taking what the defense gives me.”
Coach Jim McElwain has no tolerance for interceptions, and Trask’s turnover came on a poor decision. He had another pass nearly picked off and also fumbled on a sack, but he was able to recover it.
On the flip side, he later had a chance for a highlight on a long throw down the right sideline that Tyrie Cleveland made an attempt to come back for, but the wide receiver couldn’t hold on to the ball.
Trask’s longest completion came on a 21-yard screen pass to Mark Thompson, but Trask did lead a touchdown drive in his lone series with the first team. He opened it with a 15-yard pass to Brandon Powell and hit Antonio Callaway on a screen for 20 yards. He later tacked on an 8-yard run.
“Kyle took that drive down pretty good,” McElwain said.
Franks, meanwhile, finished 8-of-14 for 119 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.
“With me, you have a quarterback that’s not going to get frustrated with little things and not going to get too high or too low, just level (headed),” Trask said.
Franks c a me i n wi t h a higher recruiting profile than Trask and had ascended to the backup spot last season when veteran Luke Del Rio was sidelined.
At this point, Franks is “ahead (of Trask). There’s no doubt about it,” McElwain said.