GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The quarterback competition this spring between sophomores Jeff Driskel and Jacoby Brissett appears all set for a sequel come fall.
Driskel and Brissett entered spring camp in a battle to replace John Brantley, the Gators’ starter the past two seasons.
Florida head coach Will Muschamp said Monday that both young quarterbacks have progressed nicely but that he doesn’t expect to name one of them the clear-cut starter after Saturday’s Orange and Blue Debut spring game.
“Right now, honestly looking at going through the spring, I don’t know that we will name a starter after spring," Muschamp said. “That to me is becoming more and more evident every day, that both guys [are players] that we can win with, bottom line.
“That’s good for us.”
Brissett owned a slight experience advantage entering spring after starting two games last season. However, with new offensive coordinator Brent Pease taking over for Charlie Weis, both players received fresh starts.
Muschamp said Monday that both Brissett and Driskel have made tremendous strides in commanding the offense, film study and handling the multiple shifts and formations that are part of Pease’s pro-style offense.
“The game has slowed down for them," Muschamp said. “Both guys have done some nice things for us.” He added that due to “not much separation” between the two, the competition will likely remain open when fall camp starts in August.
“Both guys are competing at a high level in my opinion," Muschamp said. “They have both done outstanding things through spring. I am very pleased with their progress.”
Asked if an outstanding spring game from one of the two could prompt him to name a starter, Muschamp says he doesn’t see that happening.
“In the long run of winning the job, it certainly does [matter]," Muschamp said. “But it’s not going to be D-Day. Right now it’s too close to call as far as the competition is concerned to take one day over the others.
“Would it be important? Certainly.”
Third-stringer Tyler Murphy continues to work behind Brissett and Driskel, and when fall camp starts, incoming freshman Skyler Mornhinweg will provide depth at the position. Mornhinweg is the son of Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and played at Saint Joseph’s Prep School in Philadelphia last season.
