Who Should Be Florida's QB next year?

I know this might sound like a silly question...

But it's a question Urban and the rest of the coaching staff need to answer, and they better make the right one.

QB's on roster next year:
John Brantley RS Sr.
Trey Burton   Sophomore
Jordan Reed   RS Sophomore
Jeff Driskel    Freshman

To everyone:
What do you think the Gators should do at Quarterback for next year?

My opinion:
I don't even think you can consider Brantley for QB next year.  It's obvious he just isn't skilled. He holds the ball too long and makes poor throws.  Leading us to seven wins as the quarterback won't cut it.

Now, Jordan Reed has played his way into the conversation as quarterback for next year.  He is the best suited physically and possesses the skills needed to run this spread offense.

Trey Burton is a great athlete and next year, I believe we could use him as an athlete...I think he looks really good has the h-back/athlete in our formations.  We can line him up and use him as receiver too and maybe the "Aaron Hernandez" position on the triple option shuffle pass.

Jeff Driskel, the #1 QB recruit in the nation, is a beast.  He's a dual-threat quarterback that runs tough and has one of the strongest arms in the country.  He needs to see the field next year.  The Gators would be better for it.  Driskel is the starting quarterback of the Gators' future.

What seems like the best option is to run a 2-QB system with Jordan Reed and Jeff Driskel.  Unless the Gators want to take the growing pains of Driskel and start him all year, they need some experience at quaterback.

Since Tebow, there has been no leadership on offense.  Reed could provide that leadership with a year already under his belt.  His physical attributes and running style, along with Driskel's running ability and strong arm can give the Gators offensive the weapons it needs for their offense to succeed.

We have some of the best talent in the country. The future looks bright, but let's hope this season ends quickly.

Go Gators.

FSU Week

Since my last post, the Gators laid an egg against South Carolina and ruined their shot at an SEC title. 

But then, bounced back offensively against FCS powerhouse Appalachian State (seriously no sarcasm there…they are 2^nd in the nation!) defeating them 48-10.

            

Instead of talking about the past, lets look ahead to the regular-season finale against the FSU Seminoles.

            

UF Offense vs. FSU Defense

This will be a tough game for the Florida offense. With a team that may go down as one of the worst in recent memory for the Gators, the Seminoles are on rising their way back towards the top, or at least, pointed in the right direction.

            

I believe the Seminoles smell blood.  They haven’t beaten Florida in 6 years.

           

Six!

            

No current FSU players can claim they have beaten the Gators, and you can bet they want to win the state of Florida this year after already defeating Miami.

            

The key matchup here is Florida’s offensive line and FSU’s defensive line.

            

FSU leads the nation in sacks.  And all Gator fans know pass protection isn’t something the Gators have exactly excelled at this year.

            

The Seminoles will be looking to exploit that weakness even more this Saturday.

            

Whether we like it or not, Brantley will take the majority of snaps this week.  He has got to make smart and quick decision when he feels pressure in the pocket. 

            

The Gators also need their speed in order to compensate for the blitzes that FSU will send Florida’s way.

            

If Jeff Demps is healthy enough to play, that will go a long way in helping the Gators offense produce yards and points.

            

Chris Rainey must continue his great play as well.

           

The Gators do not have room for mistakes on offense either.  If they hurt themselves, they are not talented enough to claw their way back. At least, they haven’t proven that this season (I hope I’m wrong).

            

Advantage: FSU defense

            

UF Defense vs. FSU Offense

           

This matchup is much more even. 

            

Florida’s defense has had its up and downs this year.

           

However, the key for Florida will be in its secondary.  Janoris Jenkins, Will Hill, Ahmad Black, and Jeremy Brown/Cody Riggs must be opportunistic and create turnovers for Ponder and the Seminoles.

            

The Seminoles have never been afraid to air the ball out, and I doubt that their philosophy will change this week.

            

Another area of importance for the Florida defense will be the play of its linebackers.

            

Jelani Jenkins and Ronald Powell, although freshmen, have come into their own the last several weeks.  Powell led the team in solo tackles last week with nine.

            

But our line-backing corps have struggled to consistently make tackles when trying to stop the run game or screen passes.

           

FSU running back Jermaine Thomas tore his ACL a couple games back, but with the Gators’ struggles inside the box, any running back can break loose.

            

The elite play of Florida’s secondary will win this battle for the Gators.  Black, Hill, and Ja. Jenkins are a force to be reckoned with. 

            

Advantage: UF defense

Score Prediction: FSU- 24

                              UF- 21

Inside the Numbers

-       The Seminoles have lost 6 in a row to the Gators

-       FSU leads the nation in sacks with 41

-       The Gators have faced current FSU coach Jimbo Fisher 16 times as an assistant coach. They are 11-5 against Fisher.

-       Urban Meyer has never lost to Florida State: 6-0.

-       The Gators have the nation’s 13^th ranked pass defense and have 17 interceptions on the season.

           

Recruiting Impact

            Here’s a list of recruits that will be in Tallahassee for the game tomorrow (Florida targets are in bold):

            List according to Rivals.com

Karlos Williams

Brandon Fulse

Kelvin Benjamin

Derrick Mitchell

Chris Black (2012)

Eric Beverly

Shaq Beverly (2012)

Travis Blanks (2012)

Dante Fowler (2012)

Nick O'Leary

Curt Maggitt

Jacoby Brissett

T.J. Davis (2012)

Giorgio Newberry

Bobby Hart

Rashad Greene

Arrington Jenkins

James Wilder, Jr

PJ Williams (2012)

Marvin Bracy (2012)

Tony Steward

Aaron Lynch

Jordan Prestwood

Mario Pender (2012)

Cornellius Carradine (Official)

Derrick Henry (2013)

Kelvin Rainey

Jacob Fahrenkrug (Official)

Sterling Lovelady

Terry Bell

Tim Jernigan

Kevin Grooms

Avery Young (2012)

Earl Moore (2012)

Dalvon Stuckey

Marcus Maye (2012)

Ruben Carter

Robensen Therezie

Josh Clemons (2012)

Trey Pettis (FSU commitment)

Keelin Smith (Official) (FSU commitment)

Lamarcus Brutus (Official) (FSU commitment)

Nick Waisome (UF commitment) (don't worry, he is solid - he is going to watch the Gators)

Matt Williams (Official)(JUCO)

Nick Patti (2012)

HaSean Clinton-Dix (Alabama commitment)

Matt Dobson (2012)

Buck Allen

Cody Waldrop (2012)

Clicking on All Cylinders

It’s what we wanted.

One game to secure a spot in Atlanta for a shot at the SEC Championship.

In a season that has hardly lived up to pre-season expectations for the Gators, they have finally found their groove headed into the biggest game of the season. 

An elimination game at the Swamp against Steve Spurrier and South Carolina.

The Florida Gators are playing their best football at the right time and seem to be clicking on all cylinders.

Offensively, they have scored 89 points, racked up 930 total yards and effectively utilized all three quarterbacks in the past two games. 

The added weapon of QB turned tight-end turned athlete Jordan Reed has added another dimension to the Gator offense that will go a long way in throwing off the timing of the opposing defense.

Chris Rainey has shined in the two games since his return.  He blocked two punts against Vanderbilt and scored two touchdowns on 176 total yards.

On defense, the Gators have been able to force turnovers and apply some pressure on the opposing quarterbacks. 

Even the freshmen are getting into the act.

Five-star defensive tackle Shariff Floyd was named the team’s Defensive Player of the Week and top recruit Ronald Powell has looked better every week since he switched from defensive end to outside linebacker.

Look for these two players to continue to step-up and make a considerable impact for the defense.

Prediction (FL-USC)

The Gators are rolling and the Gamecocks are reeling. 

However, with playmakers on offense like Alshon Jeffery and Marcus Lattimore, the Gamecocks are never out of it.  

But, with the Swamp rockin Saturday night in the midst of a “blue-out”, I just don’t see the Gators losing this game.  They are clicking too well on offense right now.  

The Gators just need to make sure they keep the pace moving on offense and not fall back into indecision.  

Plus, with a healthy and rested Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey, the Gators should be able to provide some big plays, much to the liking of the fans in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Florida 34

South Carolina 21

Jonathan Dowling Kicked Off Team

It seems like a never ending cycle, Gator fans.
Another player is permanently dismissed from the team and this could have future effects on the team.

Top 2010 recruit Gator signee Jonathan Dowling (#10 ESPN 150, #1 Safety) has been kicked off the team due to violation of team rules.

The news is all but settling for Gator fans as the team has been through one of the more tumultuous seasons in recent memory.

Dowling was rated as one of the best safeties in the nation in the 2010 recruiting class and his dismissal from the team will leave a potential hiccup in the future secondary of the Gators.

With Ahmad Black graduating and Will Hill potentially declaring for the NFL Draft after this year, the Gators are going to be lacking experienced safeties.

Freshman safety Matt Elam has seen some playing time so far as well as sophomore safety Dee Finley, but Dowling was very much expected to be a big playmaker for this defense for the next few years.

After the departure of Cam Newton a few years ago and his recent explosion onto the college football scene, lets hope that letting go this talented recruit does not hurt the Gators in the long run, much like Newton has done.

There is no official word on what team Dowling will play for next, but during his recruiting process schools like Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, and Miami recruited him hard.  All of which are big rivals of Florida.

This might not be the last we hear from Mr. Jonathan Dowling.

In Other News...
Recent commit Mike Blakely held a press conference as he decided for the Gators.  Here is a video of his press conference and a highlight video.  From the looks of it, it seems the Gators snagged a quality guy.