SEC Football: QB Luke Del Rio returning to the SEC?

Former Alabama and Oregon State quarterback and son of NFL coach Jack Del Rio, Luke Del Rio, is looking to make a return to the Southeastern Conference.

More from Alabama Crimson Tide

Rumors have been flying around that Del Rio will enroll in classes in Gainesville this summer with plans of joining the Florida Gators. A source told The Oregonian that Del Rio’s mind is pretty much made up, he’s going to end up at Florida. Oregon State announced on April 9 Del Rio would transfer.\

Del Rio, a Highlands Ranch, Colorado native, was a walk-on at Alabama in 2013 and redshirted during his freshman year. After his redshirt season, Del Rio decided to transfer to Oregon State and was granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA.

His pro-style offensive approach didn’t quite gel with the Beavers coaching staff and he was limited to three appearances where he went 8-for-18 for 141 yards. Del Rio will have to sit out a year no matter where he decides to enroll in school. Barring a NCAA waiver,he will have two seasons of eligibility beginning in 2016.

If the rumors hold true and Del Rio does end up in Gainesville, it would be his third Division I school in three years. He would also reunite with former Beavers offensive coordinator John Garrett. Garrett will serve as the quality control specialist for the Gators offense in 2015.

Assuming that the NCAA would grant Del Rio immediate eligibility again, he would be sprung into a starting quarterback battle with redshirt freshman Will Grier and sophomore Treon Harris.

Oct 26, 2013; College Station, TX, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Josh Grady (7) warms up against the Texas A&M Aggies before the game at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

Del Rio won’t be the only transfer QB looking to take reps in the Swamp next fall. 247 Sports reported that the Gators landed former Vanderbilt quarterback Josh Grady – a graduate transfer that will be able to play immediately in 2015.

Gators head coach Jim McElwain has commented over the past month that the team is lacking depth at certain positions, so only time will tell how many other transfers who head to Gainesville will appear on the roster come September.

More from Southbound and Down

Home/Alabama Crimson Tide