The SEC's Most Intriguing 2015 Quarterback Battle
Alabama has the most quarterback contenders, Georgia isn't too far behind, LSU is intriguing from a beautiful disaster standpoint and Ole Miss' quarterback battle is about as wide-open as they come.
None of those quarterback battles hold a candle to Florida—the most intriguing quarterback battle in the SEC thanks to the wild variables that exist following spring practice.
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Florida wrapped up spring practice on Saturday about where many expected them to be. Redshirt freshman quarterback Will Grier—a pro-style passer—has a slight edge over sophomore and returning starter Treon Harris, who's more of a dual-threat weapon.
Harris doesn't really fit the pro-style pedigree of first-year head coach Jim McElwain and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier. Since he missed four practices in the middle of spring dealing with an unexpected death in his family, it shouldn't be that much of a shock to see Grier with a slight lead heading into summer workouts.
"That’ll be a really good competition moving forward," McElwain said following the spring game, according to Scott Carter of GatorZone.com.
What was impressive, though, was Harris' ability to move the offense late. During the third quarter of the spring game, he hit star wide receiver Demarcus Robinson on a beautiful back-shoulder pass deep down the right sideline for a 42-yard gain, and then cashed it in later in the drive on a five-yard touchdown pass in the back corner of the end zone to C'yontai Lewis.
It may have seemed like only one drive, but it was a very important one for Harris.
It proved that he can make the tough throws within the parameters of McElwain's pro-style system, has accuracy downfield, as well as the touch on shorter passes.
That's important, because the staff already knows how dynamic he is on the ground. Harris rushed for 332 yards and three touchdowns a year ago and has much more escapability than Grier.
It may not seem that important in a pro-style system, but for this particular pro-style system—given the circumstances—it could be huge.
Florida's struggles along the offensive line are well-chronicled.
The Gators entered the offseason with only eight healthy offensive linemen on scholarship, lost senior guard Trip Thurman to a shoulder injury before spring practice (which could keep him out for quite some time), lost sophomore tackle Rod Johnson for good to congenital cervical stenosis and two of the remaining six healthy offensive linemen—David Sharpe (eye) and Antonio Riles (sports hernia)—underwent minor surgery following spring practice, according to Adam Silverstein of OnlyGators.com.
How dire is the situation on the offensive line for Florida? Robbie Andreu of The Gainesville Sun puts it into perspective:
Sure, 5-star stud Martez Ivey is one of the six on the way this summer. It's clear, though, that the offensive line is going to be a major issue for the 2015 Gators. Since that's the case, Harris' mobility is a huge luxury for the new staff.
McElwain, Nussmeier and the rest of the staff are almost forced to go back to the drawing board now that spring practice has wrapped up thanks to the issues up front. When they do, they'll likely focus on three or four things that the offensive line can do consistently in order to create some kind of identity for the offense as a whole.
If that involves some zone read with a mobile quarterback, Harris could make a comeback and win the job.
Even if he doesn't and the 2015 Gator offense is more of a traditional pro style, Harris has to be part of the equation, even as a situational quarterback, in order to add a little bit of a wrinkle to the running game.
That's what makes this quarterback battle so interesting.
Grier is clearly the right fit for the new staff, but Harris might be the best fit for the new staff for this particular season given the issues up front. Watching how each of the quarterbacks handle their current positions on the depth chart, how the offensive line evolves and how the coaches evolve with it is going to be wildly fascinating not only during fall camp, but throughout the season.
Alabama's offense isn't going to change that much regardless of who wins the battle in Tuscaloosa, LSU's just has to get better no matter who wins between Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris, Ole Miss is going to get production because of the system and Georgia's contenders all looked solid in the spring game.
Florida's offense, based on quarterback, scheme and situation, can go in a wide variety of different ways between now and the end of the season.
It should be fun to watch.
Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats are courtesy of CFBStats.com, unless otherwise noted, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports' composite rankings.
Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and college football video analyst for Bleacher Report, as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on Sirius 93, XM 208.
Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.
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