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Florida Football: 5 reasons why Gators will get over hump in 2017

By Jerran Anderson

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - NOVEMBER 5: Deatrich Wise Jr. #48 of the Arkansas Razorback tackles Luke Del Rio #14 of the Florida Gators at Razorback Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Gators 31-10. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - NOVEMBER 5: Deatrich Wise Jr. #48 of the Arkansas Razorback tackles Luke Del Rio #14 of the Florida Gators at Razorback Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Gators 31-10. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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FAYETTEVILLE, AR – NOVEMBER 5:  (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – NOVEMBER 5:  (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

5. Inserting new quarterbacks in the fold

A few issues with the Florida Gators offense led the team down an unlikely path in 2016. Quarterback Luke Del Rio had a heck of time as the Gators starting quarterback. He threw for 1,358 passing yards for eight touchdowns but he also had eight interceptions in six games last season.

Del Rio went down with a left shoulder injury against the Arkansas Razorbacks, opening the door for Austin Appleby to get the starting nod. Appleby didn’t fare much better in his attempt to lead the Gators offense. He threw for 1,447 passing yards, 10 touchdowns while throwing seven interceptions of his own last season.

Entering this season, Del Rio is recovering from surgery on his right shoulder and Appleby is gone after graduating, leaving the starting quarterback job in the air for 2017.

Feleipe Franks and Kyle Trask, both redshirt freshmen, split time at quarterback this past spring. Franks walked away with the early edge considering he’s 6-foot 6-inches tall and 214 pounds.

It’s hard to foresee Del Rio earning his starting job back if Franks or Trask does well to start the season. This is Del Rio’s third school in three seasons. He began his career at Alabama before transferring to Oregon State then to the Florida Gators. Not to mention, there’s also the wildcard in Malik Zaire.

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