Jeff Driskel is the Gators’ starting quarterback as of right now, but fans will get another glimpse of what true freshman Treon Harris has to offer when Florida takes on Missouri on Saturday night.
Coach Will Muschamp announced Monday afternoon that both quarterbacks will take snaps against the Tigers.
"Right now Jeff will probably start," the fourth-year head coach said, "but they’re both going to play."
Harris’ last time out was on the road against Tennessee, where he came in late in the third quarter for Driskel and completed two of four passes good for 17 yards and added 25 rushing yards on seven carries.
The Miami native is back on the team after missing a week of practice while being investigated for alleged sexual battery. Muschamp said that missing a week as a true freshman may affect him more then it would an upperclassman, but he has an impressive playmaking ability that didn’t go unnoticed in practice.
"You take the ball in the right spots, accurate with his passes, has a certain confidence about him. I think that’s been something I’ve seen and noticed throughout his opportunities, though limited in game." Muschamp said.
Harris, the No. 3 ranked dual-threat prospect in the 2014 recruiting class rankings, stepped on campus in August after a recruiting process in which he was highly recruited by Florida, Auburn and Miami — the school closest to his high school Booker T. Washington.
Harris passed for more than 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior at Booker T. while throwing only four interceptions.
"He’s got a certain persona about himself," Muschamp said. "That’s why in his last two years at Booker T. he was 30-0. That tells you something about him. He’s a winner."
Sophomore Keanu Neal, who started at safety for Florida against LSU, had high praise for the true freshman too, especially regarding Harris’ play against Tennessee ten days ago.
"He’s just comfortable in the pocket," Neal said. "He didn’t really panic when things went wrong. He almost threw an interception and he didn’t panic and he stayed in and did a great job in the Tennessee game."
Driskel, the presumed starter, is coming off of an average performance against LSU.
He completed more than 50 percent of his passes, but threw two interceptions and fumbled the ball in the first quarter.
Driskel spoke to reporters on Monday and was a class act behind the podium, even when he was asked repeatedly about whether or not Harris sharing snaps with him would rattle his confidence.
"Believe it or not, I’m not worried about me, I’m worried about the team," the redshirt junior signal caller said. "I want the team to play well. If it’s going to help the team, I’m all for it. We’re confident in Treon. I think the guys are confident in me as well. It’s not going to be something that’s going to divide the team or anything like that."
Offensive coordinator Kurt Roper implemented more quarterback designed runs than fans have seen this season.
Driskel ran the ball effectively against LSU, picking up 71 yards on 21 carries, including a touchdown. Driskel said running the football well doesn’t change his confidence level much during games, and added that despite his regression throughout the season he remains just as confident in his abilities as before the season began.
"Just because I haven’t made all the plays I would’ve liked to doesn’t mean I’m not confident," Driskel said. "I’m still confident in my ability, what I can do and what I can do for this team. I don’t think my confidence has ever been shaken."
Follow Morgan Moriarty @Morgan_Moriarty
Jeff Driskel attempts a pass during UF's 30-27 loss to LSU on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
