Florida Quarterback Battle in Gainesville: Will Grier vs. Treon Harris

The Florida Gators are undefeated through two weeks of the 2015 college football season, but there is still plenty of challenges and controversy presented to first year head coach Jim McElwain and the rest of his staff. It appeared that the quarterback battle between Will Grier and Treon Harris was beginning to play itself out. Coach McElwain had different thoughts this past week against East Carolina. After starting and playing most of the game against the Pirates, Will Grier may have thought the job was his. Surprisingly Treon Harris was given the keys to the offense for the final and most crucial drives of the game. It is evident to most that as the Gators head to SEC play this week against Kentucky that there is not a clear number one guy on this team.

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McElwain came out to the media on Monday and said he will play a two quarterback system as long as he can. So who is the clear cut favorite to take the reigns at UF?

Redshirt Freshman Will Grier: Coming out of Davidson Day high school in North Carolina, Grier was one of the

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most sought after recruits in the country. Grier spent his first year in the state of Florida sitting on the bench watching the QB position at Florida rot away in 2014. Grier made his debut at Florida against New Mexico State in week one of the 2015 season where he looked like the future leader Florida faithful were promised when he committed back in 2012. Grier completed 16 of 18 passes for two touchdowns and zero interceptions — efficient work to say the least. Will followed that stellar week one outing with a shaky start against ECU. 10-17 with 2 TDs alongside a costly pick cost Grier time on the field late in the game

Upside: The six foot two ,201 pound Grier has a clear size advantage over Treon Harris. He makes reads and decisions faster than Harris and has the arm strength to a complete just about any throw downfield. Grier ranks eighth in the country in completion percentage. The height of Will Grier’s ceiling might just be his is best attribute.

Downside: His inexperience is the only thing dragging him down. This past weekend was Grier’s first game as a starter and he has little in the way of game experience. There is concern that the redshirt freshman is going to struggle on the road if he continues to make careless mistakes. His first test comes this Saturday when he travels to Kentucky.

Sophomore Treon Harris: After earning his stripes in 2014, Treon was the incumbent to the head spot atop this Florida Gator offense. Treon excited Florida fans for a short period of time. Treon failed to claw out a win against the Florida State Seminoles at the end of last season, though. It was a game that UF could have easily come out on top in and likely would have sealed the starting job Harris. Treon took

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the first offensive snap on 2015 against the New Mexico State Aggies, but did not provide anything stellar to set himself a part.

Upside: Treon is a mobile threat that keeps defenses on their toes and pass rushers from pinning their ears back. After coming out of Booker T. Washington (a high school football powerhouse) and starting multiple games on the road for UF, Treon is an experienced option who gives you leadership in tough games. That leadership is especially important on the road in SEC play. Much like Grier, Treon also ranks in the top 20 in the country in completion percentage.

Downside: The five foot 11 quarterback does not stack up in size compared to the taller Grier. Treon struggles completing the intermediate passes and really only does most of his damage outside of the pocket. Although he is mobile, he holds on to the ball too long on many of Florida’s designed passing plays. In opposite fashion of Will Grier, fans know what they are going to get out of Treon and it isn’t anything overly spectacular.

Only time will tell for these two gunslingers. As for week three against Kentucky: it is Will Grier will take the first snaps on the road for the orange and blue.

Next: Arkansas lost to unranked Toledo Week 2

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