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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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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – SEPTEMBER 12: (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – SEPTEMBER 12: (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

1. Malik Zaire throws an added wrinkle, giving the Gators’ an edge.

The addition of former Notre Dame quarterback Malik Zaire to the Florida Gators roster is interesting. The Gators already have Luke Del Rio, Feleipe Franks and Kyle Trask at quarterback. Adding Zaire to the fold should create an interesting dynamic.

Remember when Tim Tebow and Chris Leak shared the backfield in 2006 en route to a National Championship? That season, the quarterbacks split time. Although Leak took a majority of the snaps, en route to the Gators first SEC Championship since 2000.

Leak threw for 2,942 passing yards and 23 touchdowns on the season. Tebow ran for 469 rushing yards and eight touchdowns as a freshman as well.

This could be another one of those seasons where a two-quarterback system proves useful to the Gators’ cause. Zaire isn’t known for his rushing ability. He was used sparingly at Notre Dame, but he could still thrive in Florida’s system. He was considered a dual-threat quarterback coming out of high school.

Next: 5 Reasons Zaire might not start at Florida

Zaire threw just 816 passing yards and six touchdowns in three seasons with the Fighting Irish. He carried the ball just 72 times for 324 rushing yards and two touchdowns as well. He could never overcome DeShone Kizer for the team’s starting job. Zaire hopes to end all of that with a fresh start in Gainesville.

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