Advertisement

Treon Harris, Will Grier battle for Gators quarterback job

 
Redshirt freshman Will Grier, left, and sophomore Treon Harris answer questions at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. UF wants to improve last season’s anemic passing game.
Redshirt freshman Will Grier, left, and sophomore Treon Harris answer questions at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. UF wants to improve last season’s anemic passing game.
Published Aug. 6, 2015

GAINESVILLE — Florida quarterback Treon Harris insists he doesn't lie awake in bed, thinking about the opportunity in front of him.

He does anything else — watch TV, study film, hang out with friends — to keep from thinking about the Gators' most pressing issue as they open fall practice today. Who will be the team's starting quarterback: the speedy Harris or the more pro-style Will Grier?

"The battle, it's not in my mind right now," Harris said during Wednesday's media day.

But it will be high on the priorities list of new Gators coach Jim McElwain and the rest of the staff as they try to resurrect a passing attack that was second-worst in the SEC before UF's Sept. 5 season opener against New Mexico State.

Both Harris and Grier have their strengths and weaknesses.

Harris led UF to a 4-2 record in his six starts in the fall as a freshman. Although the Miami native completed only 49.5 percent of his passes, the dual-threat athlete threw nine touchdowns against four interceptions and averaged 4.5 yards over his 75 carries.

"Take advantage of your opportunities — last year, I learned that," Harris said. "Any day, things can change."

Especially with the redshirt freshman pushing him.

Although Grier hasn't taken a college snap, he has a sterling pedigree. The former national high school player led the country with 77 touchdown passes during his senior year at North Carolina's Davidson Day School. He was slowed by a back injury in the fall, but — finally healthy — he said he added 15 pounds on his 6-foot-2 frame in the offseason.

"I committed to the program the strength staff has us on," said Grier, who's up to 215 pounds. "I feel more than ready right now to go attack it and have a great season."

Coaches say both Harris and Grier fit the Gators' new system.

Grier likes some of the downfield passes that require him to scan the defense before finding the right receiver. Harris enjoys the other packages that let him run or make quick reads.

"If you look at their styles … they're different, obviously," offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier said. "Treon's ability to expose a defense with his feet is different than Will's.

"Will is more of a prototypical drop-back passer, with his ability to work through progressions."

If both players can execute the schemes, McElwain said the starting job will likely come down to other attributes that can only be seen during practice. Will they cut down turnovers? What do they look like on third down? Can they lead a late-practice charge? How do teammates react in the huddle?

"Those guys up front, those receivers make those great catches — they elevate their play a little bit because of that guy," McElwain said. "So we're looking to kind of see where that is."

McElwain saw flashes of potential from both in the spring. He liked how Grier successfully distributed the ball to his playmakers. And after Harris missed practice time due to a death in the family, McElwain noticed how he sparked the offense and got it to move during two-minute drills when he returned.

Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene

Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene

Subscribe to our free Sports Today newsletter

We’ll send you news and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays and Florida’s college football teams every day.

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options

"I liked his energy, his confidence," McElwain said.

What that means for the fall remains unclear. McElwain said Harris' experience last season under the old regime won't necessarily translate to this year because the systems are different. Grier held a slight edge during spring camp, but that doesn't guarantee anything, either.

"I do know this: Somebody's going to take a snap the first play," McElwain said. "I don't know who it is yet."

Contact Matt Baker at mbaker@tampabay.com. Follow @MBakerTBTimes.