With Malik Zaire at QB, Gators hope to finally shake off post-Tebow lull

Prior to SEC Media Days July 10-13, Olin will preview each of Texas A&M's conference opponents for the 2017 season. Follow the whole series here.

In the seven college football seasons since Tim Tebow’s departure, Florida has been in quarterback purgatory. No Gator quarterback has thrown more than 12 touchdown passes in a season in the post-Tebow era. Five seasons have passed since a Florida quarterback passed for 2,000 yards.

Yet, in both seasons under coach Jim McElwain the Gators managed to win the Southeastern Conference East Division. They’ve played exceptional defense. They’ve run effectively. Their special teams have been impressive. But poor quarterback play has resulted in Florida ranking no better than 79th nationally in passing in those seven seasons.

It’s enough to make Steve Spurrier fling his visor. Except, that may be the best throw by a Florida quarterback in seven years. Clearly, the Gators won’t return to national powerhouse status until the quarterback problems are solved.

The question in Gainesville is whether Malik Zaire, a graduate transfer from Notre Dame, is the solution. Zaire figures to earn the starting job over redshirt freshman Felipe Franks and former starter Luke Del Rio, who is trying to come back from a shoulder injury.

Zaire never started at Notre Dame and passed for just a few more than 800 yards in his career. But maybe that’s just because he was stuck behind productive passers in Everett Golson and DeShone Kizer. The Gators certainly hope that’s the case.

They have perhaps their best offensive line since their 2008 national championship team.

They have a crew of able running backs led by Jordan Scarlett.

They have Antonio Calloway, who is a big-play threat at receiver.

They have talent on hand to replace multiple losses on defense. Even though seven Florida defensive players were selected in the NFL draft, the Gators still are expected to field a strong defense.

They just need adequate quarterback play. If they get that they’ll likely win the SEC East again. If they somehow get superior play at quarterback, they may challenge to win even more.

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Florida Gators

2016 record: 9-4, 6-2 in the SEC East
Bowl result: Defeated Iowa 30-3 in the Outback Bowl
Coach: Jim McElwain (third year, 19-8 at Florida)

Returning starters
• Offense (10): WR Antonio Calloway, QB Luke Del Rio, TE DeAndre Goolsby, G Martez Ivey, T Fred Johnson, G Tyler Jordan, TE C’Yontai Lewis, WR Brandon Powell, RB Jordan Scarlett, T Jawaan Taylor

• Defense (4): DB Duke Dawson, LB Kylon Johnson, DE Jordan Sherit, S Nick Washington

• Special teams (3): PR Antonio Calloway, K Eddy Pineiro, P Johnny Townsend

Strengths: Florida may have the most underrated set of running backs in the SEC. Jordan Scarlett is a physical runner who gained most of his 889 rushing yards in the second half of last season. Freshman Lamical Perine also showed he can be productive. Although the secondary sustained significant losses, it is still projected as a team strength with plenty of athletic ability and depth. The Gators special teams are excellent, too. Kicker Eddy Pineiro and punter Johnny Townsend are among the best in the conference.

Weaknesses: Quarterback play is an obvious concern. It’s been mediocre at best since Tim Tebow left. The arrival of Notre Dame transfer Malik Zaire will help, but how much? Defensive tackle is also cause for worry. The Gators don’t project to be as talented or deep there as they usually are.

Top three players

• Duke Dawson, CB: As a sophomore, he made seven starts as a nickel back. Now a junior, he’ll likely take over one of the vacated cornerback spots. He returned an interception for a touchdown and led the team in passes broken up a year ago. Don’t count on his production going down. He’s a solid tackler, too.

• Martez Ivey, OL: Two seasons into his career, Ivey is established as one of the elite SEC offensive linemen. He’s played tackle and guard and can play either at a high level wherever he’s needed most. Last season he was twice named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week and was a second-team all-conference selection.

• Antonio Calloway, WR: Off-field issues aside, Calloway is Florida’s most dangerous big-play threat. He has scored via rushing, receiving, passing, punt return and kickoff return; he’s the first Florida player to accomplish that in a career and he’s only a junior. In two seasons, he has 89 catches for 1,399 yards and seven touchdowns despite playing with mediocre quarterbacks.

Emerging star: Expect sophomore defensive back Chauncey Gardner to build on an impressive freshman year. While making three starts and appearing in 13 games, Gardner had three interceptions with one returned for a touchdown. He also broke up three passes and posted 32 tackles. He finished last season as a starter at safety. He could start at either safety or cornerback this season.

Impact newcomer: No question, that’s Zaire, who figures to emerge as the next starting quarterback. Zaire only attempted 23 passes in 2016 as the backup to Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer, but he’s a decent passer and a legit running threat. He should upgrade Florida’s quarterback play, but the bar is low.

Biggest losses: Defensive backs Tez Tabor, Quincy Wilson and Marcus Maye were all taken in the second round of this year’s NFL draft. Obviously, a lot of talent must be replaced in the secondary. However, there is talent there. Replacing defensive tackle Caleb Brantley, a sixth-round pick, appears much more difficult. There isn’t as much returning talent in the interior defensive line.

2017 schedule
Sept. 2 vs. Michigan at Arlington, Texas
Sept. 9 vs. Northern Colorado
Sept. 16 vs. Tennessee
Sept. 23 at Kentucky
Sept. 30 vs. Vanderbilt
Oct. 7 vs. LSU
Oct. 14 vs. Texas A&M
Oct. 28 vs. Georgia at Jacksonville, Fla.
Nov. 4 at Missouri
Nov. 11 at South Carolina
Nov. 18 vs. UAB
Nov. 25 vs. Florida State