VIDEO: Florida Gators Fall Camp Update, Quarterback Battles, Top Recruit Joins Team
By Space Coast Daily // August 9, 2017
No. 9 ranked RB in Class of 2018 commits to UF
ABOVE VIDEO: Highlights of Monday’s Florida Gators practice.
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA — The Florida Gators are heading into Week 2 of fall camp and as the weather continues to heat up, so do the story lines.
Aside from the heated QB battle, there is recruiting news and a recruit reporting to camp—finally.
Here are tidbits from Jordan McPherson of SEC Country and Scott Carter of FloridaGators.com
Quarterback battle continues (SECCountry.com)
All eyes are still focused on the quarterback battle between Malik Zaire, Feleipe Franks and Luke Del Rio.
Coach Jim McElwain said he plans to rotate all three with the first-team offense to give each an opportunity to prove he can lead the team. Florida players gave their first impressions on Zaire, the Notre Dame transfer who could be Florida’s first left-handed starting QB since Tim Tebow.
Recruiting is still going strong
Florida continued its strong recruiting push when running back Dameon Pierce committed on Sunday.
Pierce is the No. 9 ranked running back in the Class of 2018 according to the 247Sports composite. His commitment gives Florida 17 players in its 2018 class, which now ranks No. 7 in the nation.
Addition of Robinson a big boost for team as camp heats up: (FloridaGators.com)
ABOVE VIDEO: Coach Jim McElwain talked about James Robinson in his Monday presser.
James Robinsons inclusion in Florida’s 2017 signing class prompted great enthusiasm in February when UF head coach Jim McElwain announced the Lakeland (Fla.) High receiver had signed with the Gators during McElwain’s National Signing Day press conference.
In the sixth months since, it appeared at times Robinson might never actually make it to UF. However, there he was on Friday afternoon stepping onto the field as the final member of the 2017 class to join the team.
The NCAA officially cleared Robinson academically, which allowed him to participate on the second day of preseason camp.
“He’s been out there a couple of practices,” McElwain said Monday. “He’s big, that’s a good thing.”
At 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, Robinson is a combination of strength, speed and athleticism. He was Florida’s top offensive recruit and his addition adds another target and potential playmaker.
While the Gators had to wait longer than expected for Robinson to get cleared, his arrival provides a boost at the start of camp. He caught 33 passes for 639 yards and six touchdowns as a senior a Lakeland according to The Lakeland Ledger.
Robinson introduced himself to his new teammates at the end of Friday’s practice.
“It was the first time he was in front of the team,” McElwain said. “I’m excited for his opportunity. Time will tell. He’s got a long ways to go, obviously, not being here in summer B. The catchup piece with him is not trying to get it all at once.”
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