GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jacoby Brissett and Jeff Driskel have 73 combined attempts between
them in live game action.
That’s just seven more attempts than former
Gators quarterback John Reaves (33 of 66) had against Auburn in 1969 when he
set the school record for a single game.
The quarterback position has always been a
headliner for the Gators. All three of Florida’s Heisman Trophy winners (Steve
Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel and Tim Tebow) played quarterback, and former UF
gunslinger Rex Grossman finished second in 2001.
While the position has produced much success
over the years, it’s a big question mark going into the 2012 season.
Brissett and Driskel both played as true freshmen
a year ago when fifth-year senior John Brantley suffered a midseason ankle
injury. Neither stood out significantly above the other and that continued
through spring practice.
“Both guys are talented, qualified for the
position,’’ Gators coach Will Muschamp said at SEC Football Media Days. “If you
saw our spring game, you saw what I saw for 14 practices. Two guys that are
very even in their competition. They're even going into fall camp. They'll get
equal reps. I would like to name a starter before the season, but I'm not going
to put a timetable on that.”
Muschamp has not ruled out playing both
during the season if that is best for the team.
“Both guys have a similar skill set,’’
Muschamp said. “So it's not like there's one offense we run with one and one
with another, and there's a possibility you could see both in the game at the
same time. But they're both guys that can contribute to our football team. Jeff
and Jacoby have handled the competition very well. Their competition has made
our football team better.”
The Brissett-Driskel battle will be watched
closely once fall camp officially opens on Friday. The way it plays out will
help set the tone entering the season opener Sept. 1 against Bowling Green.
Brissett and Driskel aren’t the only Florida
quarterbacks on scholarship. They are joined by redshirt sophomore Tyler Murphy
and true freshman Skyler Mornhinweg.
With camp quickly approaching, GatorZone.com
is taking a look at each position group this week, starting with the
quarterbacks:
No. 6 Jeff Driskel (Soph., 6-2, 232)
At a glance:
Driskel played in five games as a true freshman and completed 16 of 34 passes
for 148 yards and two interceptions.
The Gatorade Player of the Year in Florida
coming out of Oviedo’s Hagerty High, Driskel looked overwhelmed at times as a
freshman. Driskel is the Gators’ most athletic option at quarterback and is a
dangerous runner as well as passer.
Driskel’s best performance last year was at
Auburn when he took over in the second half and went 9-for-18 for 75 yards.
No. 12 Jacoby Brissett (Soph., 6-3, 229)
At a glance:
Brissett played in eight games as a true freshman, completing 18 of 39 passes
for 206 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions.
Brissett became the first true freshman
quarterback in UF history to take the first snap of his college career as the
starting quarterback in the Gators’ loss at LSU. Brissett handled his emergency
duty about as well as could be expected and showed a steady presence in the
pocket for such a young quarterback.
A former basketball standout at Palm Beach
Dwyer High, Brissett is not as athletic as Driskel but showed the ability to
make plays and gained valuable experience in his two starts.
No. 10 Tyler Murphy (RS Soph., 6-2, 204)
At a glance: Murphy
is a valuable player on special teams and has yet to throw a pass during his UF
career. He looked capable in the Orange and Blue Debut spring game and provides
Florida insurance should Driskel and Brissett both get hurt.
No. 17 Skyler Mornhinweg (Fr., 6-3, 190)
At a glance:
Mornhinweg signed with the Gators out of Saint Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia,
where his father, Marty, is offensive coordinator of the Eagles. Mornhinweg is
likely to be redshirted if Brissett and Driskel stay healthy and hold down the
job.
