News Bot
News Bot
For the first time since preseason practice began last Saturday, the media was granted access to the players Thursday, and the players offered some insight into some of the things that have been transpiring on the practice field, including the QB battle between Jeff Driskel and Jacoby Brissett.
Senior wide receiver Frankie Hammond Jr. said the quarterbacks have been intense and very focused.
“It’s a battle,” he said. “They’re trying to come out there and be perfect every day. You can see it from day one, whether there’s a dropped ball or an incompletion or anything, they get pissed. They get on themselves and they get on us. They want perfection. They know it’s a position battle right now.”
Hammond said the only difference he sees in the two quarterbacks is Driskel’s speed and ability to scramble out of the pocket when things break down.
“When he gets out of the pocket, he can create more room and you can get in open spaces (as a receiver) and make more plays,” Hammond said. “Jacoby is a pocket quarterback, and he puts it right in there for you. The only difference I would say is speed and getting out of the pocket.”
Here’s some other stuff that came out of player interviews:
* Cornerbacks Jaylen Watkins and Loucheiz Purifoy said true freshman Dante Fowler is getting plenty of reps at the Buck position, where he is the backup to senior Lerentee McCray. McCray made the move from starting outside linebacker to take the place of the injured Ronald Powell. “Dante Fowler is stepping in,” Purifoy said. “He’s doing a pretty good job.”
* Watkins and Purifoy said all the motion and shifting in Brent Pease’s offense is going to cause problems for opposing defenses this season.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Watkins said. “There’s no doubt in my mind that it’s going to cause a lot of problems. You have sets that you’ve never seen before, then they shift out, and they’re snapping the ball (quickly).”
* Although we have not heard much about redshirt freshman wide receiver Ja’Juan Story, Hammond said he is in the playing rotation at wide receiver, doing some good things and working hard.
Watkins said the most impressive receiver in camp so far has been Quinton Dubar. Watkins and Purifoy both said the Gators are throwing the ball down field to the wide receivers more than they did last season.
Source: GatorSports.com - Robbie's Playbook
