Gators fans have known for more than a year who would start at quarterback in 2010.
But the pecking order after John Brantley was murky until Monday, when coach Urban Meyer said Tyler Murphy is taking snaps with the second-team offense while Trey Burton has been used in the wildcat position. Both backups are true freshmen.
Florida surprised some fans by offering Murphy a scholarship in January, as the Wethersfield, Conn., product was previously committed to Temple, a team in the Mid-American Conference with just one winning season since 1991.
Meyer said he thinks Murphy has the potential to be a good quarterback but admitted the team has a problem with two inexperienced players waiting behind Brantley, a problem that would be amplified should the starter get injured this season.
“There’s a question about how long [Murphy has] been playing quarterback,” Meyer said. “He’s got a great arm and he’s a pretty mature kid, but he’s just not experienced. This is all new to him.”
Giving Murphy the nod at quarterback was not necessarily a slight to Burton, who could be used in several positions this season.
In addition to fielding snaps, Burton has lined up at the flexback position and Meyer even hinted at making him the lead blocker on kick returns this season.
“He’s a total ball player,” offensive coordinator Steve Addazio said. “He lines up, he’s taking snaps, direct runs… he’s powerful, he’s smart, he’s a really good athlete, he has great hands. I would say that’s been really fun to watch develop here over the last five, six days.”
Tight ends coach Brian White added he is impressed with Burton’s ability to adapt to new positions.
“He’s a really unselfish guy,” White said. “He wants to help this football team win in whatever role coach Addazio, coach Meyer devise for him.”
Offensive line shakeup: Senior Mike Pouncey said there is a good chance he will play tackle early this season as Xavier Nixon and Matt Patchan recover from injuries. Pouncey expected to replace his brother, Maurkice, at center this season.
Nixon suffered a left knee injury while Patchan is rehabbing from a broken right wrist. The pair was competing for the starting left tackle position.
Patchan has returned to practice but was held out of contract drills, Meyer said Monday.
If neither player is ready by the season opener Sept. 4, Pouncey said he would move to right tackle. Marcus Gilbert, expected to play on the right side, would switch to left tackle, and sophomore Sam Robey would play center.
UF offensive linemen practice multiple positions in the preseason to accommodate for injured starters once games begin, and Pouncey said he doesn’t mind switching positions.
“I feel like I’m a great player wherever I play at,” he said, “and I just want to win.”
