Gators get chance to show their progress Friday – Daily Commercial

Robbie Andreu @RobbieAndreu

GAINESVILLE Gator Nation is cynical, and justifiably so. Because it happens every spring.

The Gators flash explosive and exciting signs that maybe they are about to pull themselves out of this seemingly endless offensive slump. Then, of course, they dont.

Spring growth fails to turn into fall production. Every. Single. Time.

Its been going on like this since Tim Tebow and his special gifts left town following the 2009 season.

So, will the Gators follow the same sad story line in 2017?

Theyve orchestrated the first phase of it, flashing all kinds of positive signs this spring. Now, its a matter of where the offense goes from here.

Some potential slump-ending pieces seem to be in place.

An experienced front has been playing with more energy and aggression under new offensive line coach Brad Davis, whose No. 1 priority this spring was to make the big nasties nastier.

There are proven playmakers (and more of them now) at receiver, tight end and running back.

And there seems to be an overall shift in attitude.

They have a chip on their shoulder, UF coach Jim McElwain said.

Yes, they do. But do the Gators have a quarterback capable of leading them out of this offensive wilderness?

Many have tried over the past seven seasons, but all have either failed or transferred.

McElwain and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier are now in the process of trying to determine who is next in line either Feleipe Franks or Kyle Trask. Or maybe even former starter Luke Del Rio, out for the spring following shoulder surgery.

The next big test in the quarterback quest is Fridays Orange & Blue Debut in The Swamp.

Its another opportunity. Is it the end all? Absolutely not, McElwain said. We have a body of work, plus what we do over the summer and into fall camp. There again, its another opportunity and thats the way its got to be approached. I will say Im excited how theyre playing. Its been good, weve been able to stretch it really good.

Theyve done a great job, and yet, I kind of expected them to.

Franks and Trask, both redshirt freshmen, have made great strides in the year theyve been here, Nussmeier said.

Franks made so much progress in the fall that McElwain even considered pulling his red shirt and playing him.

A lot more confidence, a lot better understanding of just the passing game overall in general, Nussmeier said of Franks. Theres a different learning curve for each and Feleipe has done a great job of buying into what weve asked him to do and really improve in the classroom side of things.

The thing about Kyle is hes deadly accurate. The biggest thing with Kyle is just getting repetition, getting in the game and playing. He may overanalyze a little bit. In our second practice he threw a couple balls in the dirt. Its uncharacteristic of him because he is so accurate. Its about letting it flow, letting it play, and thats just repetition.

The competition between Franks and Trask for the starting role has been close throughout the spring. But McElwain said earlier this week that there has been some separation. Although he would not reveal who has pulled ahead, Franks appears to be the guy based on his recent increase in reps with the No.1 offense early in practices.

A third quarterback also is in the mix. Although true freshman and early enrollee Kadarius Toney is not necessarily competing for the starting role, his ability as a dual-threat QB has likely earned him a package of plays to run in the fall.

Their teammates express confidence in all three quarterbacks.

"All the quarterbacks are doing well, center T.J. McCoy said. Feleipe and Kyle, and even Toney, are all doing great. There's a lot of competition going on between the three and I'm happy with any of the three. We can trust all three quarterbacks.

Feleipe and Kyle, a lot of the knowledge of the game has grown for them. They're getting the plays off a lot quicker and that's making us a better offense.

Whoever's the QB, that's the leader. When Kyle's in the huddle, I'm listening to Kyle. When Feleipe's in the huddle, I'm listening to Feleipe. Both of them are great leaders. I believe that we're in good hands with both of them."

Both have come a long way since last years spring game, especially Franks, who flopped a year ago, throwing three interceptions before coming in late to lead the offense to a touchdown.

My command has grown a bunch since last spring, Franks said. And it's really fun for me now just to be out there and actually just play the game, play what I've been playing my whole life and not have to stress about, 'What am I doing this play? What am I doing this next play?' Now, that I've settled in and know the playbook I can go out there and have fun. It's really fun."

It certainly will be interesting to see how the quarterbacks perform Friday. And even more interesting to see where they (and the offense) go from here.

Weve got a chip on our shoulder, junior wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland said. Back in the years they had Tebow, the offense was explosive. Were trying to get back to that offense, making plays, so we dont have to rely on the defense as much.

There are some spring signs that the offensive slump could end in the fall. But, well, Gator Nation has seen this before.

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Gators get chance to show their progress Friday - Daily Commercial