Florida names Luke Del Rio starting QB for season opener

Sophomore Luke Del Rio will open the season as Florida’s starting quarterback.

Luke Del Rio’s wait is finally over. It is official now.

Del Rio emerged as the front-runner for the job in the spring when he went 10-for-11 for 176 yards and two touchdowns in the Orange & Blue Debut.

Del Rio had been battling with Purdue graduate transfer Austin Appleby and freshmen Feleipe Franks and Kyle Trask for the starting job in camp.

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I could play, and start”, Del Rio said last week.

UF coach Jim McElwain confirmed the decision Thursday. However, Del Rio’s grasp of the offense and experience in the program gave him a clear advantage.

Since Tim Tebow graduated after the 2009 season, Florida has had at least two starting qurterbacks each season – eight different starters in all (John Brantley, Jacoby Brissett, Trey Burton, Jeff Driskel, Will Grier, Treon Harris, Skyler Mornhinwheg and Tyler Murphy). He left the Crimson Tide after redshirting in 2013, then transferred to Oregon State.

Florida opens the season September 3 at The Swamp against UMass. The son Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio, Luke has been around the game his entire life.

While Appleby is new to the system, Del Rio was able to take advantage of his extra year with the Gators’ personnel. He transferred to Florida as a walk-on but was awarded a scholarship and will now be the Gators’ starter.

Florida ranked 100th in the nation in scoring in 2015, averaging 23.2 points a game and turning in as many sub-par outings as substantial performances. Florida managed to win the dysfunctional Eastern Division thanks mostly to a dynamic defense.