Gators quarterbacks Kyle Trask, Feleipe Franks, Luke Del Rio and Austin Appleby (left to right) during spring practice. (File photo)
In The (Gator) Zone: Summer Important for QBs, Easley Finds New Home, More Gators Tidbits
Friday, May 27, 2016 | Football, Scott Carter
Share:
By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
ORLANDO -- Since Jim McElwain took over the Gators, he has often said the summer months are when you find out what kind of team you really have.
Do the players invest in improvement during summer workouts, or does accountability slip? The question takes on added significance when there is no clear-cut starting quarterback.
The Gators are about to enter the summer facing that exact situation. McElwain
"The quarterbacks have a lot to do with the organizational piece,'' McElwain said Wednesday prior to his appearance at a Central Florida Gator Club event. "I'm excited about the room."
When the Gators broke spring camp in April, redshirt sophomore Luke Del Rio had asserted himself as the likely leader of that room. Del Rio completed 10 of 11 passes in the Orange & Blue Debut and threw two touchdown passes. However, graduate transfer Austin Appleby from Purdue added another veteran voice to help guide newcomers Feleipe Franks and Kyle Trask.
In Del Rio, whom McElwain has known since the transfer from Oregon State was an eighth-grader, there is familiarity in McElwain's offensive system and background. Colorado State was the first school to offer Del Rio a scholarship when McElwain was head coach there.
"He kind of knows what exactly the expectation is from that position,'' McElwain said.
Unlike a year ago when McElwain was still getting to know the strengths and weaknesses of Will Grier and Treon Harris heading into the summer months, his knowledge base of the four scholarship quarterbacks on the roster is much deeper, as is his confidence.
"We have really good arm talent,'' McElwain said. "They've all proven that they can push the ball where it needs to go, especially in that 18-to-22-yard kind of area that you need to be able to hit the creases, so from that standpoint I'm excited about that group."
McElwain recently highlighted an area for each to improve over the summer. He wants Del Rio to avoid trying to do too much and let the game come to him. He wants Appleby to not take failures so hard and to quickly move on to the next play. Franks, who threw three interceptions in the spring game, must learn that every play doesn't need to be a home run, and Trask simply needs to gain a better understanding of the offense.
The quarterback battle is set to resume on the field when preseason camp starts in August. By then, some of the questions about the quarterbacks should have more clear-cut answers.
"We'll have a good idea when we get back," McElwain said.
***** EASLEY GETS SECOND CHANCE
When news surfaced in mid-April that former Gators defensive lineman Dominique Easley had been waived by New England, there was definitely an element of surprise.
While Easley battled injuries in his first two NFL seasons the way he did during his UF career, he was projected as New England's top interior sub rusher in 2016. Instead, the Patriots opted to part ways with their 2014 first-round draft pick.
Easley has resurfaced, signing a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Rams recently. The 24-year-old Easley had 25 tackles and three sacks in his two injury-marred seasons in New England. Dominique Easley in 2013. (File photo)
At least one former NFL executive considers Easley a valuable addition.
"This is a gift for someone," former Eagles president Joe Banner told the Boston Globe at the time of Easley's release.
Easley spent time on injured reserve both seasons with the Patriots and suffered serious knee injuries to both knees at Florida. Easley reportedly had philosophical differences with the Patriots on his rehab, which led to his release.
The addition of Easley gives the Rams five former first-round picks on their defensive line.
Easley is thankful for a second chance. On his Instagram account, Easley posted a photo of him signing the contract and said: "New team, new chapter of my NFL career!!"
***** A YEAR LATER
Lauren Haeger was being compared to Babe Ruth this time last year when she led the Gators softball team to a second consecutive national championship.
As the Gators attempt to three-peat, Haeger has moved on. But she hasn't disappeared.
Haeger is now a member of the Dallas Charge professional team. The Charge held media day this week as they prepare for the start of the National Pro Fastpitch Softball season.
Meanwhile, Haeger launched her own website earlier this month to share more of her life with fans. As the Gators try to make it back to Omaha, you can keep up with last year's Women's College World Series MVP at LaurenHaeger.com.
***** GYM RATS
The Florida gymnastics team was unable to win a fourth consecutive national title, but there is help on the way. Really high-caliber help.
UF signees Alyssa Baumann, Rachel Gowey and Amelia Hundley participated in the U.S. Women's National Team camp that concluded last week. The camp took place at the Karolyi Ranch in Texas under the direction of coordinator Martha Karolyi.
Next up for the future Gators and Olympic champion Gabby Douglas is the Secret U.S. Classic in Hartford, Conn., on June 4.
***** A COACH'S TOUCH
Former Gators All-American outfielder Michelle Moultrie has proven to be a good teacher in her young coaching career. The 2012 SEC Player of the Year, Moultrie recently completed her second season as an assistant at Samford.
The Bulldogs made history, winning a school-record 40 games and advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. In her role Moultrie serves as offensive strategist and helped the Bulldogs hit a collective .316, 66 points higher than their opponents. The Bulldogs were eliminated in the Tuscaloosa Regional with losses to Alabama and Texas State.
Marreese Speights scored 14 points off the bench Thursday night -- including nine in a four-minute stretch of the second quarter -- to help Golden State fend off elimination at the hands of his coach at Florida, Billy Donovan. Oklahoma City leads the series 3-2 and Donovan, in his first season as the Thunder's head coach, spoke about Speights' time at UF recently via the San Francisco Chronicle ... Former UF women's basketball standout Delisha Milton-Jones was waived earlier this month by the WNBA's Atlanta Dream, perhaps ending the career of the league's oldest player and all-time leader in games played (499). The 41-year-old Milton-Jones, a three-time All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist, tweeted Tuesday: "I just wanna play!!!!!!" Whether she gets that opportunity or not, congrats to Milton-Jones on one of the most decorated professional careers in UF sports history … Receiver Ryan Sousa, who announced earlier this month on Twitter he was leaving UF, announced this week he is transferring to Southern Illinois. Sousa played in two games in two seasons with the Gators … Former UF star Al Horford was one of just six NBA players to start all 82 regular-season games this season. The center of much speculation since he is a free agent, NBA.com details seven impressive stats from Horford's season … Mariners catcher Mike Zunino, the former UF standout, has cooled off recently but continues to be on Seattle's radar to return to the majors this summer … Former Gators quarterback Tim Tebow has a new book coming out this fall about "life's storms" … Former UF defensive lineman Alex McCalistermotivated by fall in draft via CSNPhilly.com … Who owns the NBA record for most playoff games by an undrafted player? Former UF player Udonis Haslemset the mark earlier this month via The Palm Beach Post .
