Gators have plan in place at quarterback, just not sharing

Gators head coach Jim McElwain speaks to his team at a recent practice. (Photo: Britt Moore/UAA Communications).

Gators have plan in place at quarterback, just not sharing

Monday, August 28, 2017 | Football, Scott Carter

Head coach Jim McElwain kept the team's quarterback plans for the opener on Saturday against Michigan to himself at his Monday press conference.

By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Gators head coach Jim McElwain provided a revelation Monday. He has a plan in place at quarterback for Saturday's season opener against Michigan.

What is it? McElwain had no plan to be that revelatory.

"The quarterback situation, we have a plan,'' McElwain said. "It's in place. I'm not going to tell you what it is. There's no reason to ask. We're excited about that. We'll leave that for them to guess as well."

Redshirt freshman Feleipe Franks, fourth-year junior Luke Del Rio and graduate transfer Malik Zaire have waged a battle throughout the preseason. McElwain has refused to name a leader or if one has created real separation in the race.

Instead, he said all three could play against the Wolverines when the No. 17-ranked Gators play No. 11 Michigan at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

All three players have different skill sets. Del Rio is the most experienced. Franks is the biggest and has the strongest arm. Zaire is the most-skilled runner of the trio.

Whatever the Gators do against Michigan doesn't mean that is the plan for the rest of the season.

"It will evolve as we go," McElwain said. "I know it's one of those deals that obviously is as important as anything because of that position, but you know what, I'm really kind of more concerned where we're at up front and how much better we've become there that will enable us to open some stuff up."

Sophomore receiver Josh Hammond said the uncertainty at quarterback is not a big concern for the players.

"Nothing at all,'' Hammond said when asked what he knows about the plan. "I don't know what the plan is. I think the quarterbacks are ready, so whatever the plan is, I think we'll be fine."

Soon after McElwain announced he was not going to announce a starting quarterback, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh did the same in Ann Arbor.

The guessing games continue.

"They're going to prepare obviously for the read option stuff and quarterback run stuff as well as being able to keep a guy in the pocket,'' McElwain said. "At the same time, they've got to prepare for those other guys throwing it down the field."