As Florida prepares for life without John Brantley, three other quarterbacks are splitting repetitions in practice.
According to offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, freshmen signal-callers Jeff Driskel, Jacoby Brissett and Tyler Murphy have evenly divided this week’s practice snaps, and coach Will Muschamp has yet to name a starter for Saturday’s game against No. 1 LSU.
“All the quarterbacks are excited at getting a chance to play,” redshirt freshman tackle Chaz Green said. “They’re all competing. We’ll see who they go with.”
Weis was noncommittal Tuesday but said Driskel has the upper hand due to his playing experience this season.
Weis added that the team will likely settle on a starter prior to the team’s Thursday practice, so one player can take a majority of the reps.
“When we start to get more toward tuning everything up and cleaning everything up, you can’t be distributing reps the same way we’re doing it right now,” Weis said.
Florida’s approach Saturday will reflect the lack of an experienced quarterback, as the offense will be simple enough that any of the three could run it effectively.
“You cut back. You don’t add more,” Weis said. “You get used to doing the things that they feel comfortable doing. You don’t expose them to as much material, which gives them a lot more confidence.”
Weis doubts the Gators will use all three quarterbacks Saturday, but he said the injury to Brantley puts to an end any thoughts of intentionally saving Brissett for a redshirt.
Debose progressing: Sophomore wide receiver Andre Debose believes he has finally developed the practice habits necessary to be a productive piece of Florida’s offense.
After what Weis called a poor training camp, Debose has started to flash his ability.
“The arrow has been pointing up on Andre for about a month,” Weis said.
Debose came to UF in 2009 as a five-star prospect and the No. 2 wide receiver in the nation, according Rivals.com, but took a redshirt to recover from a lingering hamstring injury. When he returned in 2010 he was used sparingly, catching 10 passes for 96 yards. But his performance Saturday against Alabama — two receptions, 90 yards and a touchdown — has the potential to be a turning point.
But potential and high-school accolades mean nothing to Muschamp, and Debose must continue to play well to get more time on the field.
“You don’t just go by reputation,” Weis said. “They have to show you evidence.”
Debose said his route-running and blocking have improved.
“I feel like I can be consistent,” Debose said. “I definitely will be getting my opportunities, and that’s all I’ve been asking for.”
Injury revealed: Debose said Tuesday that an ankle sprain caused him to leave the game early against Tennessee and miss the Kentucky game the following week.
Debose said the injury forced him to use crutches following the Tennessee game and wear a walking boot for a few days. He added that he now feels “100 percent.”
“It was pretty bad,” Debose said. “I couldn’t walk for a while. … But I was just determined to get back, and it worked out.”
Contact Greg Luca at gluca@alligator.org.
