If there was any doubt that Jeff Driskel was Florida’s quarterback of the future following his shaky Sugar Bowl performance, it was erased on Sunday.
UF announced that sophomore backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett will transfer. Florida also announced the release of running back Chris Johnson.
“Both Jacoby and Chris expressed an interest in transferring and getting a fresh start,” coach Will Muschamp said in the release. “We are very thankful for their contributions to the University of Florida and wish them the best of luck.”
Brissett committed to UF in January 2011 even though Driskel, Rivals.com’s top-ranked quarterback, had already signed with the Gators.
Driskel began the 2011 campaign as John Brantley’s backup, but an ankle injury suffered against Alabama on Oct. 1 opened the door for Brissett to start the following weekend against LSU.
When Driskel regained his health, Brissett remained the backup. Brissett started in two games and played in eight, throwing for 206 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions.
Brissett battled Driskel for the starting spot throughout spring and fall camp in 2012, ultimately losing the competition.
Following Week 1, Brissett only played in four games for UF, including a start in place of Driskel (ankle) in a 23-0 win against Jacksonville State on Nov. 17.
Driskel will begin his second year as Florida’s starting quarterback with one fewer offensive weapon. Tight end Jordan Reed announced on Saturday via a UF release that he would forgo his senior season and declare for the NFL Draft.
Reed led the Gators with 44 catches for 552 yards this year.
“I’ve enjoyed four good years at Florida, but I feel that now is the right time to pursue my dream of playing in the NFL,” Reed said in the statement.
“I appreciate the support from all the coaches and staff here, and I’ll always be a Gator.”
The departures of Reed, Brissett and Johnson bring Florida’s mark the total of underclassmen departures at seven.
Following UF’s 33-23 loss in the Sugar Bowl, defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd and safety Matt Elam announced they would enter the 2013 NFL Draft.
Now, Florida faces the task of rebounding from one of its worst defensive performances of the season without All-SEC first-teamers Floyd and Elam.
Even though the coaches advised him to go pro, Floyd said the decision to leave Florida was not an easy one.
“We’re going to walk away from the program we’ve been in for three years and bonded with a lot of people, so it’s emotional and you feel it,” Floyd said.
Floyd added that he did not make his decision final until after the Sugar Bowl. His 13 tackles for loss led the team.
Elam, a first-team All-American, finished with 76 tackles — 11 for a loss. Both totals ranked second on the team.
He recorded 176 tackles and six interceptions in his career.
“I had three great years,” Elam said. “I did all I can for the team, you know what I’m saying? I played my heart out. I feel like it’s time to take care of the family.”
Based on projections, UF will have a junior drafted for the first time since 2010.
Defensive end Dominique Easley and linebacker Jelani Jenkins are still contemplating whether or not to return and will have to come to a decision by the Jan. 15 deadline.
Easley, who had 3.5 tackles for loss in the Sugar Bowl, declined to discuss his future after the game, but said Floyd and Elam’s decisions would have no bearing on his.
“It’s my life, my decision,” Easley said. “I’m not really sure yet. I’ll make that decision probably in the next week.”
Jenkins missed the bowl game with a fractured right foot. He didn’t speak to the media.
He missed four games this season and parts of two others with a broken thumb and a hamstring injury.
Senior defensive tackle Omar Hunter said the juniors did a good job of not letting their NFL prospects affect their preparation.
““Man, I respect it a ton,” Hunter said. “When I was a redshirt freshman and seeing some older guys, that’s all they talked about. ‘NFL, NFL, NFL.’ These guys, they don’t even worry about that stuff. They just play every game like it’s their last game and not worry about that kind of stuff.”
Contract Josh Jurnovoy at jjurnovoy@alligator.org.
Sophomore quarterback Jacoby Brissett announced his intention to transfer from the Florida Gators.
