McElwain Tabs Harris Starting QB with Grier to get Snaps vs. New Mexico State

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The Florida Gators now know who will be the starter under center against New Mexico State but beyond that it is still a guessing game. On Wednesday Florida head coach Jim McElwain announced that sophomore Treon Harris will get the first Gators’ series of the 2015 season after beating out redshirt freshman Will Grier.

Harris finished the 2014 season as the Gators’ starter once things had gone south with Jeff Driskel under former head coach Will Muschamp. Harris ended the season with 1,019 passing yards along with nine touchdowns against four interceptions starting the final four games of the year. The completion percentage was about what one would expect from a freshman maybe not quite ready for SEC action, 49.5 percent on 55-of-111 pass attempts.

McElwain using Harris brings more experience under center after Grier missed all of the 2014 season due to a back injury. Grier had a prolific high school career giving Florida fans something to be excited about since the graduation of Tim Tebow. Both quarterbacks are mobile with Grier having a stronger arm of the two. Grier finished spring practices as the No. 1 guy.

Harris’ time under center could continue or be short-lived. McElwain gave pause to the decision by stating, “I wouldn’t read that much into it. This is still a painting in progress. We’ve got to figure out what the backdrop is going to be.”

McElwain added both quarterbacks will get time with, “Someone starter, someone comes in. Both of them, I feel deserving of it. Both of them had a really good spring and fall and we’re excited about seeing those guys play.”

The Gators start the season against New Mexico State in The Swamp on Saturday.

Photo credit: fansided.com; No. 3 Treon Harris drops back to pass.