Top 5 quarterbacks UGA will face in 2016
By Jay Hawkins
Our fifth best quarterback on this list is one who has not even started a game for his team. That man is Luke Del Rio. Del Rio transferred from Oregon State and had to sit out 2015 due to being ineligible. He’s ready to play this year, and the Gators are happy about that.
Florida fans have had to deal with mediocre quarterback play at best ever since Tim Tebow left the Swamp. Former head coach Will Muschamp drug the Gators’ offense further down as he knew nothing about that side of the ball and seemed to affect the quarterbacks he coached (see Jeff Driskel now at Louisiana Tech).
Florida second year head coach Jim McElwain certainly knows a thing or two about the offensive side of the ball and the quarterback position but had to suffer through an abysmal year due to lack of any talent whatsoever at quarterback (no team should have to deal with Treon Harris) after the Will Grier debacle.
Luke Del Rio will hopefully change that. He looks like he is the guy to beat in Florida’s ongoing quarterback race. He’s not a big guy at only 6-1, 216, and he doesn’t posses impressive arm strength.
Del Rio does bring great timing and a strong work ethic to the table. He also seems to be liked by his teammates.
Del Rio played very well in Florida’s spring game as he completed 10 of 11 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns according to the Miami Herald. He looked poised and had some zip on his passes.
More than anything all signs point to Del Rio bringing something to Florida that they have lacked for a while. That is stability at the quarterback position.
Del Rio has talent around him, and if McElwain finds the right guy to fill the position, it could be the difference between a good season and a great one. Del Rio hopes and looks to be that guy.
Next: 4-Justin Thomas