Frazier sinks clutch FTs, lifts UF past Arkansas

GAINESVILLE -- Michael Frazier II sank two clutch free throws with 1.9 seconds remaining, as Florida escaped with a 57-56 win over Arkansas on Saturday afternoon in the O’Connell Center. 

Gators (12-9, 5-3 SEC) freshman guard Chris Chiozza missed a layup late, but Frazier corralled the offensive rebound and was questionably fouled by Arkansas (16-5, 5-3 SEC) guard Aldandise Harris. 

Despite a second straight game without a 3-pointer, Florida's junior sharpshooter displayed poise overcoming another tough night (2-of-9 from the field, 0-for-5 from downtown) and a halftime benching.

Frazier drilled both freebies, and gave the Gators their second straight conference thrilling win this week. 

“What has happened to these guys is that when it has not gone well for them they lose their competitive spirit and they don’t fight,” UF coach Billy Donovan said. 

“They don’t scratch. They don’t claw. They get down, and there was a couple moments late where we were teetering a little bit and we were back to that mindset. But I thought they really battled as hard as they could.”

The Gators moved to 5-3 in the SEC. Their NCAA hopes remain faint, but a win over the Razorbacks did give UF its first top-25 RPI win on the year. The Gators are now 1-7 against the RPI top 50. 

Florida plays at Vanderbilt on Tuesday.  

BY THE NUMBERS

10.7 - seconds remaining when Anton Beard grabbed an offensive rebound and scored a baseline layup to put Razorbacks up one late. 

34.6 — UF’s field goal percentage, its second worst in a win this season. Despite another late-game scoring lull, the Gators survived the Razorbacks’ 12-3 run late with some timely free throw shooting (17-of-25) by Frazier and Jacob Kurtz. 

23 - Missed shots by Florida’s backcourt (Frazier, Kasey Hill and Eli Carter). The trio combined for just five made field goals and 13 points. 

14 - NBA scouts, most (or all) of whom witnessed Razorbacks forward Bobby Portis dominate all afternoon. The 6-11 sophomore led all scorers with 21 points, adding 10 rebounds and two blocks.  

4 - Dunks by Dorian Finney-Smith, who had two thunderous tomahawk slams that really energized both the crowd and team. Finned-Smith finished the afternoon with 16 points — UF’s lone scorer in double figures. The junior forward led the Gators in points, rebounds (9), assists (4) and turnovers (3).  

15.8 percent - The combined 3-point shooting percentage (6-for-38) for SEC’s best two teams (statistically) downtown. 

8-0 - Florida’s sprint to end the first half, taking some much-needed momentum and a two-point lead into the locker room. 

QUOTABLES

“Credit to Florida, they hung in there and found a way to win. But I was disappointed with the officiating going down the stretch. A guy that I’ve seen before, John Hampton, made one of the more critical calls in the game. The last play, I was not satisfied with [the call].”

-- Arkansas coach Mike Anderson 

“We just kept fighting. Things didn’t go our way every time. …  Honestly, I knew [the free throws] were going in. Michael had a tough night shooting, but I told him earlier in the game he was going to make a game-winning play. He stayed in the game.”

-- UF forward Dorian Finney-Smith    

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McElwain draws cheers with spirited comments

GAINESVILLE -- Florida coach Jim McElwain took a brief break from a crucial recruiting weekend to address the Gator Nation on Saturday afternoon. 

UF's new football coach spirited the crowd at halftime of Florida's 57-56 thriller over Arkansas, ending his speech with “we’re going to get the Gators back where they belong, and that’s at the national championship.”

247Sports caught the moment on film.

 

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Orange & Blue Debut scheduled for April 11

GAINESVILLE -- Florida announced its spring game date Tuesday, scheduling the annual Orange & Blue Debut for April 11. 

 

New coach Jim McElwain probably hopes the spring scrimmage is a tad more traditional than the previous two years. In 2013, UF didn't even play a glorified game due to an extensive injury list, and last season the scrimmage laughably ended in a tie. 

As the tweet stated, additional details will be announced in the near future. 

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Where Things Stand: Week+ before NSD

GAINESVILLE -- Jim McElwain said, “I didn’t fall off the turnip truck yesterday. … We’ve got a lot of ground to make up. When we took the job, we knew that there would be some [challenges.] It’s going to take a while.”

The “it” is rebuilding Florida, and based on the school’s 2015 recruiting class the foundation for the future might not come from its current crop of pledges.  

With National Signing Day rapidly approaching, the Gators have just 10 verbal commitments. They will sign their smallest class in years, and Monday, 247Sports reported that UF has its fewest commitments in a decade with just a week before NSD.

The Gators’ class is ranked last in the SEC by every recruiting service.

It gets worse. 

Florida has just 58 scholarship players for next season, and a 2015 class low in quantity (and quality at the moment) isn’t going to help the team’s numbers issue.  

But all is not dire, yet.

Florida should get a NSD bump -- UF is among the “leaders” for a trio of consensus 5-star prospects and a number of other recruits -- even though the Gators won't sign a real ballyhooed group. 

Over the weekend, they hosted top-ranked defensive end Byron Cowart and No. 1 offensive tackle Martez Ivey, as well as a number of other key targets. 

They picked up a verbal pledge from three-star linebacker Rayshad Jackson (a Miami Norland High standout) and flipped three-star defensive end Jabari Zuniga, hoping to make a final surge over the next week. 

But it’s late in the process, and UF is reportedly losing ground on Cowart (who favors Auburn) and five-star DL CeCe Jefferson (who favors Ole Miss). It would be a major blow to swing and miss on such talented in-state prospects, but thus is the hand McElwain has been dealt. 

With staff turnover and the school’s recent win/loss struggles, it’s no mystery why McElwain is fighting an uphill battle. 

Transition classes are traditionally weaker anyways, and UF’s struggles have been magnified due to McElwain’s lack of developed relationships, few Southern ties and little name recognition. 

The Gators are trying to salvage their class over the next nine days, but 2016 has already become a more important priority.

McElwain knows he must sign and deliver a monster class next season. Otherwise, the transition (or transformation) won’t truly take shape. 

Florida can sign upwards of 30 prospects next season (depending on normal attrition and the NFL Draft). 

UF has just eight seniors, but it could lose a number of players to the league (namely Vernon Hargreaves III, Demarcus Robinson, Alex McCalister and Keanu Neal) for the second straight year. 

The emphasis on 2016 starts now. McElwain can’t afford to have two subpar classes in a row -- especially one without a quarterback, elite skill position players and quality offensive linemen -- so if Florida is struggling with top prospects in the next recruiting cycle then the Gator Nation will really start worrying.

UF already has three verbal commitments for 2016, including Jacksonville Raines wideout Rick Wells, who committed Monday night. 

2015 VERBAL COMMITMENTS 

TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe - North Gwinnett (Ga.) ***

WR Kalif Jackson - Duncan U. Fletcher ***

WR Derrick Dillion - Pine (La.) ****

OL Tyler Jordan - Bishop Kenny ***

OL Brandon Sandifer - Norhside (Ga.) ***

TE Camrin Knight - Lincoln ***

DT Andrew Ivie - Pasco ***

DE Jabari Zuniga - Sparyberry (Ga.) ***

Rayshad Jackson - Norland ***

(Imatorbhebhe and Jackson are early enrollees)

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UF announces plans to build indoor practice facility

GAINESVILLE -- Florida football’s reboot is just getting started. 

As the Gators usher in a new era, the University Athletic Association announced plans Wednesday to start construction on an indoor practice facility, giving coach Jim McElwain some new digs in his inaugural season. 

The facility -- a $15 million project slated for completion by “early September” -- will house a 120-yard, synthetic turf field, additional space for drills, three camera platforms, training-room facilities and storage. 

The project will be built on the site of the Sanders Football Practice Fields, and will feature a newly redesigned entrance to McKethan Stadium -- the baseball field located adjacent to the facility. 

“This is something we have talked about internally for some time,” UF athletics director Jeremy Foley said in a statement. 

“We have always been able to utilize the O’Connell Center as an indoor option for the football team, but with the renovation starting this spring, it will no longer be available.”

Florida estimated that “30 practices were lost or altered” due to inclement weather last season. The facility also allows the school to keep up with Joneses in recruiting, as every other program in the conference has an indoor practice facility or plans to build one. 

According to the release, Brasfield & Gorrie General Contractors out of Birmingham, Ala., will oversee the project and the facility will be funded “through private gifts and capital financing.”

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NCAA dagger? Florida mauled at home by LSU

GAINESVILLE -- It’s only January, but Florida’s NCAA Tournament hopes are already on life support. 

The Gators (10-8, 3-2 SEC) were mauled at home by the LSU Tigers, suffering consecutive conference losses for the first time since 2011-12. 

LSU (14-4, 3-2 SEC) trounced UF 79-61 on Tuesday in the O'Connell Center, spearheaded by Jarrell Martin’s game-high 22 points.

The 6-foot-10 forward was unstoppable inside, while fellow forward Jordan Mickey chipped in 14 points and 14 rebounds for his 10th double-double on the year.  

“They beat us in every facet of the game,” UF reserve swingman Alex Murphy said. 

“If we don’t come together as a team we’ll continue to get embarrassed.” 

Murphy was Florida's lone bright spot (a career-high 10 points), as little else went right Tuesday night.  

UF missed another prime opportunity for a statement win, as its usual maladies continued to plague an enigmatic group. 

Florida had no answer for Martin or Mickey, and its issues didn’t stop there, as the Gators were also gashed in transition (14 fast break points) and from downtown (8-of-13 from 3-point range). 

Tigers guard Keith Hornsby was 3-for-6 from deep, while point guard Tim Quarterman added 15 points and eight assists off the bench.  

UF played with minimal energy early, and consistently lacked execution and defensive discipline throughout. The Gators again demonstrated a lack of chemistry and continuity.  

“I’ve tried a lot of different things with [the team] but they’re going to have to go through [the growing pains] for us to get better,” UF coach Billy Donovan said. 

“Not enough competitiveness, not enough fight. Definitely not enough at all.” 

Florida’s offensive execution wasn’t any better, hitting just 3-of-16 from behind the arc and missing tons of shots around the rim. The Gators shot just 38 percent from the floor and had 13 turnovers. 

Donovan juggled his starting lineup again, going with Kasey Hill, Jon Horford, Jacob Kurtz, Michael Frazier II and Devin Robinson for just second time all year. Afterwards, Donovan acknowledged his rotation remains in flux, as he is desperate to find any sort of consistency from a 10-man rotation.

“It’s like a revolving door,” he said. 

“There’s no one else I can really put in there right now.” 

The Gators trailed 37-32 at halftime, but the Tigers slowly extended their lead and went on a 14-2 run midway through the second half. Florida responded with a quick 7-0 spurt to cut LSU’s lead to 10 with 5:54 remaining, but Martin tipped in a put-back and Quarterman drained a deep 3-pointer to stop the run. 

“Collectively, we’re not getting it done right now,” UF swingman Michael Frazier II said. 

“It’s really as simple as that.”

NOTES

Dorian Finney-Smith missed two days of practice with a hyper-extended knee and did not start. The redshirt junior had 10 points, eight rebounds and five turnovers off the bench. … The 18-point loss was Florida’s worst home defeat since 2010 against Ohio State. … LSU won in Gainesville for the first time since 2008. … The Gators return to action Saturday at Ole Miss (6 p.m., SEC Network). 

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NCAA grants McGee a sixth year?

GAINESVILLE — Roughly two weeks before National Signing Day, Florida’s offense received an early boost for next season. 

On Tuesday, Jake McGee, a senior tight end who broke his leg in UF’s season-opener against Eastern Michigan last year, tweeted he’s returning to school -- granted a medical hardship by the NCAA. 

The school has yet to confirm the tight end’s waiver status, but McGee applied for a sixth year of eligibility in December.

McGee’s Florida career appeared over before it ever began in 2014, as the former Virginia standout was injured on a routine blocking play early in UF’s opener. 

He immediately upgrades UF’s tight end position -- one that figures to play a prominent role in the new staff’s offensive scheme. 

The 6-foot-6, 245-pound graduate student was pass-catching threat with the Cavaliers, leading the team in receptions (43) and yards (395) in 2013. He recorded 71 catches for 769 yards and seven touchdowns in two seasons at UV. 

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Florida rolls Auburn, moves to 3-0 in SEC play

GAINESVILLE -- The Rowdy Reptiles chanted “Sweaty Bruce” all night, and Florida cruised past Bruce Pearl’s Auburn Tigers without much fuss.

Pearl's jacket never even came off. 

The Gators (10-6, 3-0 SEC) trounced the Tigers 75-55, winning their 24th straight Southeastern Conference game Thursday. 

All ten regulars scored for Florida, with four players registering double figures -- led by junior Dorian Finney-Smith’s 14 points.

The versatile forward scored 12 points in the second half, overcoming early foul trouble.

“We’re a hard team to beat when we have four guys in double figures,” Finney-Smith said.

Sophomore point guard Kasey Hill was brilliant, stuffing the stat sheet with 12 points, seven assists, three steals, five rebounds and zero turnovers.

“I thought Kasey was really good tonight,” UF coach Billy Donovan said.

“Really it’s been two games now coming off that one assist, six turnovers against South Carolina that he’s had 14 assists and one turnover. You’re got to really give him credit. He’s done a great job running our team.

Florida never trailed Thursday, leading by as many as 24 points. The Gators stormed to a 24-8 advantage early, fueled by a 15-0 run midway through the first half.

Hill constantly got the hoop against AU’s matador defense in the early goings, speeding off screens for layups and easy assists.

The Gators got solid production off the bench, too, as Eli Carter (12 points) and Michael Frazier II (11 points, nine rebounds) chipped in noteworthy performances.

Meanwhile, Pearl's reintroduction to the O'Connell Center was rarely pleasant. 

The former Tennessee coach's team struggled to generate quality shots (tallying just 16 made field goals and shooting 32.7 percent) or impose his pressing defense.  

Cinmeon Bowers had 11 points and 11 rebounds for his 10th double-double on the year, while Antoine Mason led the Tigers (9-7, 1-2 SEC) in scoring with 13 points. 

The Tigers had a seven-minute field goal drought in the first half, and later went nearly 10 minutes without a bucket.

At one point after halftime, they had more turnovers (10) than made field goals (six).

The Gators held a 37-20 lead in the first half, but sloppy play (five turnovers, 11 fouls) allowed the Tigers to hang around. Auburn rallied for a 10-0 sprint to cut UF’s lead to 10 with 5:52 to play.

"There’s a lack of immaturity, a lack of understanding,” said Donovan, on Florida’s difficulty maintaining concentration and composure with late leads.

“We’re up 19 points and we have three empty possessions and they come down and make three-straight threes. All of a sudden the lead goes down to 10 and they look around and are like, ‘What happened?’ Like they have no concept. … My biggest problem right now is I felt like the last two years we were one of the best teams in the country playing defense without fouling. We are now fouling at an astronomical and alarming rate. It’s 20 fouls every game. Every game.” 

Florida did answer AU’s surge with a quick 6-0 dash, regaining control and effectively icing the game.

UF plays at Georgia on Saturday at 2 p.m. (CBS). 

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Gators cruise, extend SEC win streak to 23 straight

GAINESVILLE -- With junior sharpshooter Michael Frazier II limited by a respiratory illness, Florida (9-6, 2-0 SEC) turned to Eli Carter for some scoring punch.

Carter did his best Frazier impression, scoring 20 points (4-of-6 from downtown) off the bench on just eight shots, leading UF to a 72-47 thrashing over Mississippi State (7-8, 0-2 SEC) on Saturday night in the O’Connell Center.

“It felt good,” said Carter, who’s battled a myriad of injuries the last two seasons.

“It’s a weight off my shoulders.” 

Carter scored his most points (21) since UF’s loss to Miami, chipping in three assists and a couple nifty defensive plays, too.

The potential super-sub takes the Gators' offense to another level (extra ball-handler, legitimate perimeter threat), and Saturday's results beared fruit.  

“Eli Carter’s shot chart over his career is like EKG exam. He’s one of those guys that when his shot is not falling there have been other parts of his game that have fallen off,” Gators coach Billy Donovan said.  

“This is a game where his shots were going it. It’s always easy to be engaged in a game when you’re making shots, or if it’s going well offensively.  … When he does not shoot the ball well we’ve got to get those other things from him and in the past he has not done that. He’s worming hard to become more [consistent]. He can make the game easy for other guts. We need that out of him.”

Meanwhile, Florida forward Dorian Finney-Smith continued as UF's lone steady contributor, adding 16 points, six rebounds and two blocks.

Sophomore point guard Kasey Hill rebounded from a tough performance at South Carolina (six turnovers, one assists) to chip in seven points and seven assists with just one turnover.

The Gators never trailed and were never even threatened against MSU, storming to an early 22-7 lead thanks to some blistering shooting (9-of-10 start).

Bulldogs swingman Demetrius Houston drilled a 65-foot heave at halftime buzzer, but the miracle shot only cut the Gators’ lead to 20 points and was MSU’s lone highlight of the night.

UF led 39-19 at halftime and easily extended its school-record SEC winning streak to 23.

"I think we're getting better," Donovan said. "I think the best thing for this team, and who knows how the year finishes out, but the best thing in my opinion for this team, was the fact our schedule was so challenging."

MSU entered the night ranked last or near the bottom in nearly every offensive category in the conference, and Florida’s pressure defense made the Bulldogs’ putrid attack look even worse.

The Gators locked down the Bulldogs, forcing hurried shots and 15 turnovers and scoring 26 points off takeaways.

Meanwhile, UF’s offense was fluid and full of crisp passing. The Gators shot 52 percent and had 19 assists -- tying a season high.

"We played very unselfishly," Donovan said. 

"We really shared [the ball]."

UF hosts Auburn on Thursday at 7 p.m.

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Nord: Time to make UF's special teams scary again

GAINESVILLE -- Florida’s special teams haven’t been particularly special the last two seasons, but new special teams coordinator Greg Nord is ready to transform the Gators’ third phase into a staple once again.

“I want to get us back to playing University of Florida special teams,” he said Friday.

“I've coached against this university at several other stops in my career and you used to have to hold your eyes with the cats they had back there deep.

"You used to cringe when you had to protect the guys getting ready to rush the punter. When you were returning a kick, you hoped they kicked it for a touchback because they were going to tackle you on the 10 [yard line]. They had an aura about them of having great special teams. That's what we're going to strive for. That's what we're going to work to try to get.”

After blocking six kicks in 2012 and recording six return touchdowns in Will Muschamp’s first two seasons, the Gators blocked just a single kick the last two years.

They tallied just three total special teams scores over that time period, too.

Special teams were a priority for Muschamp & Co., but dynamic results were few and far between.

Nord, who will also coach tight ends, is enthusiastically embracing the challenge to return the unit to its glory days under Urban Meyer, hopeful he can turnaround the inconsistent production with the athletes on Florida’s roster.

He simply has to get to know his players first.

“Everyone who walks down the hall, I grab them, ‘Hey, what teams are you on?,’’ he explained.

“Frankie [Hammond] was down in the office coming back, he was walking down the hallway. My eyes kind of lit up, ‘Hey, what teams were you on last year?' He said, 'What do you mean, coach?' I said, 'Special teams, which ones did you play?' He said, 'Well, I played them all.' I said 'That's great!' He said, 'Yeah, but I'm with Kansas City [Chiefs] now.' I was like, ‘Dang!’”

Nord said special teams builds continuity and team chemistry, and he’s looking forward to working with Florida’s entire roster and working towards a common goal: winning.

“It's [the one unit] that does help you mesh a team together,” he said.

"You'll have offense guys lined up next to defense guys. … We've got to blend that in, help that become part of the meshing with us, become part of the team, family, and get our explosive guys on the field, and help us win."

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One hire remaining: McElwain talks WR opening

GAINESVILLE -- Florida still has one assistant job opening, but new coach Jim McElwain is in no rush to tab a receivers coach to finalize his staff. 

“I don't know that I had a timetable for anybody, nor do I have a timetable for anybody within the infrastructure within the organization in general. The key is to get the best guy,” he said.

“The guy that is going to affect these young men’s lives. Allow them to perfect their craft. There's a lot of things going on out there in the world of football. I do know this, I think you guys will be happy with him."

McElwain, who coached wideouts at four different stops in his career, is taking a patient approach to the hire.

“We’ve got a ton of interest,” he said.

“There’s a lot of components that go into that. And so we’re still … look, am I just going to throw a dart at that board over there. No. Do I have a firm short list? Yeah. Am I ready to pull the trigger the plug right now and go at it? We’ll make it right.”

The new coach will inherit a green position group, with only sophomore Demarcus Robinson producing any sort of consistent production. Robinson finished the year with 53 receptions for 810 yards and seven touchdowns.

Chris Leak was Florida’s seventh receivers coach in as many seasons, but the former UF quarterback will not be on McElwain’s staff.

McElwain wasn’t aware of the seven assistants in seven years factoid, but he acknowledged continuity is key in developing the position.

“I knew there had been some changeover,” he explained.

“But I think part of what we need to do, and that is part of the reason I’m being probably so patient on the positions, is to make sure we get that right ingredient, that right person to give these guys some normality in their lives.

“I’ve been around some great ones and have known, I know what it takes to handle that room, for lack of a better term. That’s why I’m kind of sitting back." 

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Morrison spurns NFL, injury extent remains unclear

GAINESVILLE -- Florida’s leading tackler Antonio Morrison will return for his senior season, the school announced Tuesday.

The middle linebacker, an All-SEC second-team selection, finished the year with 101 stops, but Morrison left Saturday’s 28-20 win in the Birmingham Bowl with a potentially serious knee injury.

Florida has yet to update the extent of Morrison’s injury, or whether it impacted the linebacker's decision to forgo an early entry into 2015 NFL Draft.

"I'm returning to Florida, and I will be getting my degree in 2015. That plays a big role in why I'm returning,'' Morrison said in a statement. 

"And as a leader of this team, I want to lead my team to Atlanta and possibly a national championship. Coach McElwain has put together a great staff and I'm looking forward to working with them this year."

Morrison was named to the SEC Honor Roll this fall.

On the field, he overcame his sophomore slump (spurred by improved conditioning and quickness) to become Florida’s most dependable linebacker.

The junior’s 101 tackles were the most by a Gator player since safety Ahmad Black recorded 108 stops in 2010. 

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Five-star freshman DE Gerald Willis to transfer

GAINESVILLE -- Florida dismissed former five-star defensive end Gerald Willis III on Tuesday.

Three days after forcing a fumble at the goal line in Florida’s win in the Birmingham Bowl, the freshman defensive lineman is no longer a Gator.

According to multiple reports, Willis was involved in “another altercation with a teammate.”

The 6-foot-2, 255-pounder flashed his future potential in minimal playing time this season, but Willis was mainly a malcontent, frustrating coaches with his attitude.

He didn’t dress against Kentucky or Alabama for undisclosed reasons, and was involved in a notable fist-fight over cleats with reserve quarterback Skyler Morningweg.

In Florida’s regular-season finale against Florida State, former coach Will Muschamp benched Willis for delivering a sideline cheap shot on FSU quarterback Jameis Winston.  

Afterwards, Muschamp said, “If I was still the head coach, he’d be kicked off the team.”

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Bullard to return, while Humphries opts to go pro

GAINESVILLE -- A pair of former five-star linemen from North Carolina made decisions on their potential NFL futures in the last 24 hours.

Junior left tackle D.J. Humphries became Florida’s fourth underclassmen to declare early for the NFL Draft, announcing his intentions to forgo his senior season Sunday night on Twitter. 

Meanwhile, junior defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard announced he will return for his senior season, anchoring the Gators’ young front as a steady presence in 2015. 

“I wasn’t projected where I wanted to go,” he said in a release.

“I want to leave a bigger make on the UF program than I have. … As a veteran player coming back, I want be a leader on this team as the program enters a new era with a new coaching staff,'' Bullard said. "I want to be a role model for the younger players and help them to buy into the future of the program."

Bullard, a hybrid tackle and end, capped his junior campaign with a sack in Saturday’s 28-20 win over East Carolina in the Birmingham Bowl, finishing the year with 52 tackles (most for a UF defensive linemen), 8.5 stops for a loss and 2.5 sacks. 

While Bullard is staying in hopes of adding to his resume, Humphries leaves UF without ever really living up to his five-star billing.

The 6-foot-5, 295-pound tackle proved an impressive athlete, but he struggled with injuries and inconsistencies during his three-year career.

Humphries, ranked as the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect in 2012, per Rivals.com, missed the last seven games of 2013 with a knee injury.  

He started 12 games in his career, including eight at left tackle this season. His exit leaves Florida perilously thin along the offensive line, with just seven scholarship linemen currently on the roster. 

Humphries joins defensive end/rush linebacker Dante Fowler Jr., right guard Tyler Moore and tailback Matt Jones as Gator players to declare early for the upcoming NFL Draft. 

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Jeff Driskel transferring to Louisiana Tech

GAINESVILLE -- Jeff Driskel’s enigmatic Florida career is over.

The embattled redshirt junior will get a fresh start at Louisiana Tech, transferring to play his final season for coach Skip Holtz.

Driskel, who graduated last summer, is eligible to play immediately in 2015, per NCAA rules.

"I look forward to the upcoming chapter of my life,'' Driskel said in a statement.

"I have nothing but good things to say about the University of Florida and the football program there. I am grateful for the opportunities that have been presented to me over the course of the past four years. Although things did not play out on the field as I would have liked, I have no regrets on the choice I made to attend UF. Again, I appreciate everything that my coaches, teammates, strength coaches, athletic trainers, equipment staff, academic staff, fans, and the University of Florida have done for me.”

The former No. 1 high school quarterback prospect from Hagerty High finished his frustrating Gators career on a high note, commendably replacing injured starter Treon Harris in Saturday’s Birmingham Bowl.

Driskel’s stats were underwhelming (8-of-17 for 48 yards), but he converted the game-clinching third down with a 9-yard keeper.

Before Florida’s 28-20 win over East Carolina, new Florida coach Jim McElwain announced Driskel had been granted his release from the school. 

"We all have choices," McElwain said. "I'm not going to hold him hostage."

But the much-maligned signal caller was often treated like a prisoner in his own home for much of his Florida career.

Driskel won 10 games as a first-year starter in 2012, but UF finished last in the conference in passing and the defense was credited for the majority of the team’s success.

In 2013, Driskel had a three-turnover performance in a loss at Miami and suffered a brutal season-ending injury just two weeks later.

Chided for his inconsistencies, Driskel teased fans with his duel-threat talent only to turnaround and commit another terrible turnover. 

He started the first six games this year, but after 12 giveaways over a four-game stretch he was benched in favor of Harris.

"The amount of adversity he's had to go through in his career, to be honest with you, I don't know if I could've lasted through that,” interim coach D.J. Durkin said.  

“What he's gone through, at his age. It just says a lot about him. It says a lot about our team. Our guys still believe in him, and he believed in his teammates. I was very happy for him how it all worked out. He was able to go in there and play in the game and really help us go get a win."

Driskel, who endured as much vitriol as any Gator player in recent history, was 15-6 as a starter, completing 59.4 percent of his passes for 3,411 yards, 23 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. He also ran for nine scores and 644 yards.

He is the fourth Florida quarterback to transfer from the program since 2012.

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Gator Grades: A welcomed win

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Gators capped the Will Muschamp Era with a fitting finale, winning their first bowl game since 2011.

Florida knocked off East Carolina 28-20 in the Birmingham Bowl, finishing 2014 with a winning record (7-5). 

OFFENSE – C

Muschamp was no longer around, but Florida’s offense didn’t look much different … except for the personnel. Fourth-string tailback Adam Lane had a breakout performance (109 yards, first-career touchdown) and little-used sophomore wideout Ahmad Fulwood scored an 86-yard touchdown on a quick screen -- the team’s most explosive play since 2011.

But Florida’s offense sputtered throughout, as freshman quarterback Treon Harris continued his inconsistent play (5-of-11 for 123 yards, two scores and a pick) and the offense coughed up the football three times.

Jeff Driskel, in relief of Harris, managed the Gators to a victory, but he didn’t create any explosive plays.

DEFENSE – B

ECU ran 101 plays and tallied 536 yards, 427 through the air, but the Pirates’ potent scoring attack was stymied by Florida’s suffocating red zone defense.

The Gators forced three turnovers (and another fumble that wasn’t recovered) -- two at the goal line. ECU scored touchdowns on just 2-of-7 trips inside the 20-yard line.

The NCAA’s all-time receptions leader Justin Hardy didn’t disappoint (11 catches, 160 yards and a score), but Gators All-American cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III made the game-winning interception matched up against Hardy with 1:20 left in the fourth quarter.

Meanwhile, junior defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. had a terrific going away party, recording three sacks and three additional quarterback hurries. UF defensive backs Brian Poole (interception, forced fumble, recovery) and Marcus Maye (team-leading seven tackles, two PBUs) delivered solid performances, too.

SPECIAL TEAMS – C

Florida’s kickoff coverage was decent, and penalties negated a couple returns that gave the Gators poor field position. 

Brandon Powell did tally a nice 37-yarder, but the Gators definitely missed Andre Debose’s skills.

Senior punter Kyle Christy was solid but hardly spectacular in his final game at Florida (42.9 yards on eight punts).

OVERALL – B

Florida made just enough plays to win the game, as ECU self-destructed with some woeful turnovers in the red zone.

The Gators desperately wanted (and needed) to usher in a new era with some momentum and positive vibes, and they will.

Florida promised to play hard and motivated, and the staff and players deserve kudos for delivering a winning performance despite so many distractions over the last six weeks. 

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReSimonton