Gators Notebook: Zaire has an LSU win, Big Slaton, more tidbits

Malik Zaire is now Florida's backup quarterback after the loss of veteran Luke Del Rio. (Photo: Andrew Weber/UAA Communications)

Gators Notebook: Zaire has an LSU win, Big Slaton, more tidbits

Thursday, October 5, 2017 | Football, Scott Carter

The Gators host LSU on 3:30 p.m. Saturday in search of their fourth consecutive victory.

By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Gators' quarterback situation seems about as clear as it has all season heading into Saturday's game against LSU. Redshirt freshman Feleipe Franks is the starter and injured veteran Luke Del Rio is out for the season.

Del Rio's misfortune moved Notre Dame graduate transfer Malik Zaire into the backup role and true freshman Jake Allen into the third-stringer's spot.

Still, could Zaire factor into Saturday's game beyond the ugly prospect of an injury to Franks? Based on Zaire's history and the flow of the game, the thought isn't unreasonable the Gators could work in a package for the dual-threat Zaire.

"No doubt about it," UF coach Jim McElwain said Wednesday. "Some of those things we obviously are aware of and look at. He's been doing a really good job in the preparation. We'll see how it plays out come game time."

"Those things" McElwain is aware of include Zaire's first career start on New Year's Eve in 2014 against LSU. Then a sophomore, Zaire connected on 12 of 15 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown. He also added 96 yards rushing and a touchdown as the Fighting Irish knocked off the favored Tigers 31-28 in Nashville's Music City Bowl.

Coincidentally, Zaire started in place of Everett Golson, who transferred as a fifth-year graduate student to play at Florida State the next season. Zaire did the same when his prospects in South Bend became cloudy due to injuries and diminishing opportunities.

Zaire replaced Franks in the season opener against Michigan and finished 9 of 17 for 106 yards. He was sacked five times. Zaire has not played since as the Gators reeled off three consecutive wins against Tennessee, Kentucky and Vanderbilt.

However, he continues to maintain a dedicated work ethic and is often one of the last players to leave practice.

"He's doing a great job,'' McElwain said. "He'll continue to do that. He'll be a big piece moving forward with what we're doing."

Sophomore receiver Josh Hammond credits Zaire for staying focused despite the limited playing time, which is not exactly what Zaire had in mind when he joined the Gators over the summer.

"Malik has been that way since he got here,'' Hammond said. "He's ready to play. He reps like he always has."

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SLATON A TOUGH BLOCK

Freshman defensive lineman Tedarrell Slaton made last weekend's highlight reel when he stopped Vanderbilt running back Ralph Webb in the backfield for a 2-yard loss.

The 6-foot-4, 358-pound Slaton – Florida's heaviest player on the roster – engulfed the 5-10, 202-pound Webb like a blanket tossed over a toddler.

Slaton has six tackles in four games and is getting more comfortable each game.

"Huge presence, obviously,'' offensive lineman Brett Heggie said. "He's going to be something special soon. He's already showing signs of it as a young kid coming in as a freshman. Going against him, he's only making me better.

"I don't think I'm going to see many guys as big as him or as athletic."

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LEMONS LEARNING

Freshman running back Adarius Lemons has watched as fellow freshman Malik Davis has blossomed through the season's first four games.
Both arrived at UF as highly-touted prospects from the Tampa Bay area, Lemons from Clearwater and Davis from Tampa.

Prior to Saturday's game against Vanderbilt, Lemons posted a cryptic tweet that sparked interest on social media. The tweet had four words: This is my last game.

Five-plus hours later, after Florida's 38-24 win, Lemons tweeted again.

Great team win this evening now back in the playbook I go ??#PatientsisKey ??
— Adarius Zabri Lemons (@adariuslemons) September 30, 2017

Lemons' emotional roller coaster on Twitter was not his best moment with the Gators, but running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider understands his frustration and remains confident in Lemons' ability. He rushed for more than 2,300 yards and 24 touchdowns in high school.

"As a coach you can't forget your younger guys, even when they're not playing,'' Seider said. "And I always constantly communicate with him: 'Listen, it ain't what you haven't done, it's a process.' It's hard to really get four guys ready."

Lemons is behind Davis, Lamical Perine and Mark Thompson on the depth chart.

"For this kid, I don't want to take anything away from what he didn't get when he was coming to high school. Really, his first time he's really been coached on things,'' Seider said. "And like I said, this ain't an offense you can just walk in and play right away. You got to be able to think a little bit and be able to carry it over to the field. I just think the process took him a little bit longer than it did Malik.

"He's going to be fine."

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MASSEY'S TURN?

Fourth-year junior receiver Dre Massey, coming off season-ending knee surgery in his first year with the Gators, was expected to be a primary playmaker for the UF offense in 2017.

Instead, he has one catch for two yards through four games.

45628 — Receiver Dre Massey has an opportunity for additional duty on Saturday in the absence of Tyrie Cleveland. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA Communications)

The emergence of true freshman Kadarius Toney, who has a similar skill-set, has played a factor in Massey's opportunities. That could change Saturday as the Gators face LSU without top receiver Tyrie Cleveland, who is out with a right high-ankle sprain.

"He will [have an expanded role,'' McElwain said after practice Wednesday. "There will be some things that he'll be able to do and really it depends on personnel groups. When we're in red, he'll probably be out there more. The flexibility piece is big."

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QUOTE OF NOTE I
"He was in position this week and didn't grab cloth and drag to the ground. Now, it's a matter of keeping your feet moving. That's really where that is. And yet, I'm glad Chauncey is on our football team.'' – Gators head coach Jim McElwain on the tackling issues for sophomore defensive back Chauncey Gardner

QUOTE OF NOTE II
"I'm not just going to put it on them. We have to play better as well. Just seeing those guys improve is always great to see as a defense." – Senior cornerback Duke Dawson on the offense's improvement over the past three games

QUOTE OF NOTE III
"There's still a little bit of time before we know exactly the results. All the stuff's being read by specialists right now. But to his credit, he was one of our primetime players of the week, which is not just your performance obviously on the field, but your performance academically, your performance [in] being on time, doing what's right." – McElwain on freshman receiver James Robinson, who remains out due to a recent heart scan that revealed concerns

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WCA GATOR TALK WITH JIM MCELWAIN

Check out McElwain's Thursday night radio show (audio only) via @GatorVisionTV --