Gators’ top question: QB
Other positions are in flux, too, but who takes snaps for team that dipped in 2017 is top talker.
GAINESVILLE — Florida will hold its much-anticipated, much-hyped first practice under coach Dan Mullen and his staff today.
The buzz and excitement directed toward the start of spring practice makes it hard to remember that the Gators are coming off a 4-7 season with a still very uncertain quarterback situation.
That’s the instant impact Mullen has had in recharging this fan base.
Hype and hope aside, here are the five most intriguing players to keep an eye on this spring:
5. Defensive back Chauncey Gardner:
Does the junior stay at safety? Does he move into the cornerback/nickel rotation? It will be interesting to see how he is utilized.
Gardner started at safety over the final few games of his freshman season and then throughout last fall, but he went through some much-discussed struggles with tackling, and the case could be made that he’s a more natural fit at corner.
He has terrific speed and instincts, as evidenced by his five career interceptions, and even when he was struggling as a tackler, there was a reason the former coaching staff remained committed to him as a key cog.
4. Wide receiver Kadarius Toney:
At each stop on Mullen’s recent pre-spring speaking tour, he was asked about whether the sophomore would get any work at quarterback. By the third night, Mullen gave his strongest response yet on the matter, stating that if Toney wants to play, he needs to keep growing as a receiver.
While he was a high school quarterback, it was clear in the portions of spring practice open to reporters last year that Toney was not a consistent enough passer for this level.
But it was also clear throughout last fall that he is one of the Gators’ most exciting playmakers.
In discussing his plans for the speedy, shifty sophomore, Mullen has made comparisons to the way he used Percy Harvin on the Gators’ national championship teams last decade.
3. Defensive end/outside linebacker CeCe Jefferson:
Jefferson made the somewhat surprising decision to hold off on the NFL draft and return for his senior season, but it could well prove to be a worthwhile move if he shows he can excel as a pass-rushing 3-4 outside linebacker in addition to what he’s put on tape as a 4-3 defensive end (4.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss, six quarterback hurries in 2017).
There is still plenty of unknowns about how defensive coordinator Todd Grantham will organize Florida’s defense, as he has said the Gators will use both threedown-linemen and fourdown-linemen alignments and play to the strengths of the personnel.
But one way or another, Jefferson is key for this defense, and it will be fun to watch how he’s used.
2. Running back Jordan Scarlett:
Suspended all of last season for his involvement in the Gators’ credit card fraud saga, Scarlett also made a somewhat surprising decision, opting to pursue reinstatement and a return to the program rather than take his chances in the draft.
He rejoined the team for workouts in January and instantly became the favorite to lead a deep and talented Florida backfield in 2018.
It remains to be seen what effect a year away from practice and games will have on him.
Florida fans, though, will hope for the same Scarlett who rushed for 889 yards on 5.0 yards per carry in 2016, often making something out
of nothing.
1. The quarterback(s):
Obviously, this is the top storyline of the spring (yet again) for the Gators.
Freshman early enrollee Emory Jones will be the fan favorite while redshirt sophomore incumbent Feleipe Franks (who was voted by his teammates this week to be a captain) looks to reclaim his starting job and make a strong impression on the new staff.
Redshirt sophomore Kyle Trask and redshirt freshman Jake Allen remain untested wild cards.
Mullen has made a point to praise Franks in his pre-spring comments, which could be for the sake of helping Franks’ confidence while also protecting against the expectations fans will put on Jones.
Mullen has stated how important he feels it is to not give a freshman quarterback more than he can handle and bring them along at the right pace. For that reason, don’t expect anything to be handed to Jones, even if he is the presumed quarterback of the future.
It seems likely that the coaches will want to get Jones some valuable experience this year, while not totally throwing him into the fire.
Franks left a lot to be desired last season (1,438 passing yards, nine TDs, eight INTs), but he’ll get another chance to show he’s learned from those struggles.