Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida wrapped up spring practice with a scrimmage, er, open practice and GatorNation provided extensive coverage of the practice as well as throughout the week.

One of the most significant bits of news to come out of the final practice was the fact that running back Matt Jones carried the ball only once because he had been so good throughout the spring that he had clearly won the starting job.

Here are some other observations from last Saturday’s open practice.

There were some surprises that came out of spring practice, too. The Gators also left spring with several pressing issues that must be solved before the season begins.

In other football news, defensive line coach Bryant Young resigned on Thursday because of personal reasons. Young was assisting Brad Lawing along the defensive line so the Gators could hire a special teams coordinator to take his place on staff.

On the recruiting trail ...

The Gators had a big recruiting weekend, which started when they picked up a commitment from ESPN Watch List running back Dalvin Cook (Miami/Central) after the final spring practice. UF also picked up a quarterback when former professional baseball player Chris Wilkes, a 2008 Ole Miss commit, told UF coach Will Muschamp he planned on enrolling in May. Wilkes, who had been playing in the San Diego Padres system, will compete with Tyler Murphy, Skyler Mornhinweg and Max Staver for the backup spot to starter Jeff Driskel.

GatorNation's Derek Tyson provided a list of key recruiting dates, which includes Friday Night Lights being tentatively scheduled for July 26. He also answers your questions in a recruiting mailbag.

The Gators are also after another Matt Elam -- this time it's a defensive tackle from Elizabethtown (Ky.) John Hardin.

For you hoops recruiting fans, Dave Telep and Paul Biancardi break down the SEC recruiting classes.

GAINSVILLE, Fla. -- Florida coach Will Muschamp said Saturday that he has nothing further to add his previous denial of allegations that he gave money to a player while he was the defensive coordinator at Auburn.

In a story that alleges a culture of rule breaking, drug use, and other issues at Auburn that was posted on the web site Roopstigo.com, former Tigers safety Mike McNeil said Muschamp gave him $400 after he had a bad practice in 2007. Muschamp denied the charges in the story written by former Sports Illustrated and New York Times writer Selena Roberts.

He was more emphatic about his denial when he made his first public appearance since the story broke last Wednesday.

"I’ve already responded to that and really there’s nothing to dignify any other response other than exactly what you read," Muschamp said. "Exactly what you read."

Muschamp was not quoted in the story. He denied the allegations through a school spokesman.

UF picks up a QB

The Gators added some help at quarterback on Saturday when former professional baseball player Chris Wilkes told Muschamp that he would be attending UF.

The 6-foot-4, 235-pound Wilkes said via text message that he plans on enrolling in May. He will not be on scholarship.

The 23-year-old Wilkes signed with Ole Miss in 2008 out of Orlando (Fla.) Dr. Phillips, but instead chose to sign a contract with the San Diego Padres. Wilkes, who was a 22^nd-round draft pick, never advanced past the Double-A level. He went 16-13 with a 3.57 ERA in five seasons as a right-handed pitcher.

The Gators will have six quarterbacks on the roster in the fall. Jeff Driskel, Tyler Murphy, Skyler Mornhinweg and Max Staver will be on scholarship. Wilkes and Jacob Guy will be walk-ons. Wilkes is expected to compete with Murphy and Mornhinweg to back up Driskel. Staver is likely headed for a redshirt.

Editor’s note: Twice a week through Jan. 31, 2013, GatorNation will break down each position. Today is the final installment, quarterback.

QUARTERBACK

Two-deep: Junior Jeff Driskel is the unquestioned starter heading into the 2013 season. Redshirt junior Tyler Murphy, who has only appeared in three games and never thrown a pass, is the backup.

Next up: Redshirt freshman Skyler Mornhinweg is the only other scholarship quarterback on the roster.

High-profile commits: Max Staver (Brentwood, Tenn./Brentwood Academy), whom ESPN ranks as the No. 19 pocket passer, is the only quarterback commit the Gators have right now.

Additional targets: UF has made a late push for junior college QB Tanner McEvoy (Hillsdale, N.J./Arizona Western College), who is scheduled to visit Florida this weekend.

Looking into 2013: This is a big offseason for Driskel, who threw for 1,646 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions as his first season as the Gators’ starter. Now that he’s not competing for the starting job he can get the majority of the first-team reps. He needs to use that time to improve his footwork and accuracy and stop holding onto the ball as long. Those are issues with which most young quarterbacks struggle, so he’s not behind in his development. It’s also imperative that Driskel avoid injury because the Gators don’t have a quarterback on the roster who will have thrown a collegiate pass. That’s why UF is going after McEvoy. He at least has some game experience and likely would be the player the Gators turned to if Driskel were unable to play for whatever reason.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida QB Jeff Driskel had better make some significant improvements during the offseason, because the Gators’ offense will be in a world of trouble if he doesn’t.

Or if he gets hurt.

Jacoby Brissett’s decision to transfer leaves Florida with zero experience behind Driskel. Tyler Murphy, who will be a redshirt junior next season, has appeared in three games in his career in a mop-up role and has never thrown a pass. Skyler Mornhinweg will be a redshirt freshman in 2013.

The other quarterback on the roster is expected to be Max Staver, a 6-foot-6, 238-pound four-star recruit from Brentwood, Tenn./Brentwood Academy who has pledged to sign with Florida next month.

That means the Gators have virtually no options if Driskel doesn’t get better after his first season as a starter. The 6-4, 237-pound junior-to-be was solid in 2012, completing 63.7 percent of his passes for 1,646 yards with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions. But he struggled with holding on to the ball too long, staring down his receivers and making progressions.

Those are things with which nearly every young quarterback struggles, so it shouldn’t be alarming that Driskel did. Plus, he didn’t get a ton of help. The offensive line was inconsistent in pass protection, and the receivers -- other than TE Jordan Reed (team-high 45 catches), who announced he’s leaving early for the NFL -- are below-average.

(Read full post)

ESPN’s GatorNation is previewing each position leading up to the start of the season with a short video. Each week, Michael DiRocco and Jeff Barlis will analyze the players, tell you who is starting and why, and provide a breakdown of the depth at the position. This week it’s quarterbacks.

The starters: Jeff Driskel (So.) OR Jacoby Brissett (So.)

The backups: Tyler Murphy (So.), Skyler Mornhinweg (Fr.)

Comment: Driskel and Brissett will continue their competition into fall practice -- and likely into the early part of the season as well. Neither has been able to separate from the other, which means neither one has been overly impressive. Both seem to have a grasp of new coordinator Brent Pease’s offense and things ran smoothly in the spring from an operational standpoint. Driskel is a better runner while Brissett has better pocket presence. Don’t be surprised if the Gators end up playing both throughout the bulk of the season, although coach Will Muschamp would rather play only one.

(Read full post)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- If Florida fans are expecting the Gators’ offense under Brent Pease to be as productive as Boise State’s offense was last season, they will be disappointed.

That would be unrealistic because what the Broncos did in 2011 -- 44.2 points per game (fifth nationally) and 481.3 yards per game (ninth nationally) -- was the culmination of more than just training camp.

It was more than a decade in the making.

It began when current head coach Chris Petersen was hired as the Broncos’ offensive coordinator in 2001, continued when he was promoted to head coach following for the 2006 season, and culminated with quarterback Kellen Moore’s senior season in 2011.

"We won’t be at this point in our season being able to throw the volume or the library of plays (and) schemes (at the players) that we did when I was at Boise State," Pease said Wednesday. "That was an accumulation of when I was there for six years, but more importantly back even when Chris Petersen (was hired).

"You can’t put those (11) years into seven or eight months."

(Read full post)

Former Penn State quarterback commit Skyler Mornhinweg (Philadelphia/St. Joseph's Prep), the son of Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, said Tuesday he will sign with the Florida Gators on national signing day.

Mornhinweg made his decision last week after being swayed by an official visit to Gainesville, Fla., the weekend before. He said he chose not to make it public out of respect for Joe Paterno's family and the former Penn State coach's funeral services.

"I really like Penn State, but I think Florida is the better fit for me," Mornhinweg said. "I'm really excited to start. I can't wait. I also have to admit it is a relief. It's good to have it all over with.

"I really liked Florida when I visited and I liked the players. There a couple of reasons why I chose Florida. One was the players I met, they were great. I can really see myself playing with these guys. The other was the kind of offense coach Muschamp runs. He works an offense around the talents of his quarterback."