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Florida Football: Treon Harris opens door for Luke Del Rio to win QB job

By Patrick Schmidt

Jan 1, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Royce Jenkins-Stone (52) tackles Florida Gators quarterback Treon Harris (3) during the second quarter in the 2016 Citrus Bowl at Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Royce Jenkins-Stone (52) tackles Florida Gators quarterback Treon Harris (3) during the second quarter in the 2016 Citrus Bowl at Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Florida Gators quarterback Luke Del Rio is the clear favorite to be the starting quarterback after a stunning revelation from head coach Jim McElwain about the disappearing act of Treon Harris.

Here we go again. The Florida Gators have problems to address at the quarterback position. Head coach Jim McElwain revealed on Tuesday that last year’s starting quarterback Treon Harris hasn’t been with the team since January and will not participate in spring practice. McElwain also revealed leading receiver Antonio Callaway has not been a part of the team since January.

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Harris is the most experienced quarterback on the roster with nine starts last year as a sophomore and starting experience when he relieved Jeff Driskel two years ago, but his time as a starting quarterback for the Florida football team looks to be over.

There were reports in February that Harris could be switching to receiver, but even if he doesn’t make the switch and rejoins the team after spring football it is difficult to imagine him winning the job over Luke Del Rio.

Del Rio has bounced around in college after transferring from Alabama and Oregon State as he looks for his opportunity to play and it would appear the school could be the charm for him.

He now has a relatively clear path to winning the starting job with his main competition coming from early-enrolee and U.S. Army All-American Feleipe Franks with Harris in football purgatory.

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Franks is the quarterback of the future for the Gators, but Del Rio looks to be the quarterback of the present and should be given every chance to cement his status atop the depth chart in spring practice.

I think it’s asking far too much of a true freshman to start immediately at a premier program like Florida and McElwain can’t afford to give Harris another chance.

The opportunity is there for Del Rio to make his mark on the Florida program and help ease concerns about the passing game that has struggled since Tim Tebow left.

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