Does Malik Zaire make Florida SEC East favorite?

After speculation for a couple weeks, it’s official, Malik Zaire is transferring to the University of Florida and will be eligible to play this fall.

Malik Zaire will likely be the most talented quarterback on campus the second he puts on a Florida Gators uniform, but what are realistic expectations for the Gators with Zaire under center?

While Zaire seems to offer some promise, experience is not necessarily something working in his favor. He only has three career starts.

He started the 2014 Music City Bowl against LSU and led the Fighting Irish to a 31-28. Zaire won MVP honors in the game, going 12-for-15 for 96 yards and a touchdown through the air, and 96 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries on the ground.

Sep 5, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Malik Zaire (8) throws a pass against the Texas Longhorns at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Then in 2015, he started Notre Dame’s first two games before breaking his ankle and missing the rest of the season. But he showed flashes of what he was capable of. In the season opener, the Fighting Irish beat Texas 38-3. Zaire went 19-for-22 for 313 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

In the second game against Virginia, Zaire ran for 87 yards on the ground and went 7-for-18 for 115 yards and a touchdown before injuring his ankle in the third quarter.

Because of the injury, Zaire will likely be granted a medical redshirt and have two years of eligibility remaining for the Gators.

Are Gators now the SEC East favorite?

Georgia has been the favorite in most people’s minds this offseason, but when was the last time the Bulldogs weren’t one of trendy picks going into the season?

In the last 11 years, Georgia has only been to the SEC championship twice (2011 and 2012).

Zaire is clearly a dynamic athlete, but it remains to be seen how polished of a passer he can be. He’s completed 59.2 percent of his passes in his career for 6 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. And Florida should have an improved running game this year with Jordan Scarlett and Lamical Perine returning.

The defense has been the Gators’ calling card the last two seasons, and the offense has been virtually non-existent. But they won’t have that luxury this fall. Florida lost eight starters from last year’s defense and will need the offense to do more of its’ fair share.

Zaire could be the x-factor the Gators have been looking for, and if he is, Florida could be back in Atlanta again in 2017.

Home/Florida Gators