Ignore the 2-Deep in Gainesville, At Least at One Spot

FILE – In this Nov. 3, 2018, file photo, Florida quarterback Kyle Trask throws a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

CHUCK OLIVER
680 THE FAN, ATLANTA – It’s not often a Southeastern Conference team has a returning starter at quarterback, and my #1 intrigue for that offense is what the expanded role of the previous season’s backup will be. It’s especially unusual when that starter just led his team to a New Year’s Six bowl and is legitimately discussed as a preseason All-SEC pick.

Now throw all that out the window because my brain can’t get enough of Emory Jones and what he and Dan Mullen could get done in Gainesville this season.

Truth: Kyle Trask will be the starter for UF in 20020 and he absolutely is a worthy choice for your preseason all conference ballot. He’s mine, in fact, with Kellen Mond 2nd team and an apology for Jamie Newman (I can’t vote for you until you actually play IN the conference).

But for Gators fans thinking, “How can this be a good thing to take snaps from my All-SEC guy??” I DO have blue sky for you. It’s what I saw so often last season when Jones would enter the game, even while it was still being decided. Mullen did call plays that would give UF a chance to maximize Jones’ mobility and speed and quickness. But he also called on Jones to run the same Gators’ offense Trask was running, to drop in the pocket and deliver the ball downfield. Simply put, Florida was never tipping its pitches with Jones on the field and that shows the level of confidence his head coach has in him. It’s made me feel the same way about Jones and his future in Gainesville, including the 2020 season.

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