Wednesday Notebook: McElwain on suspensions, why he’s going with Franks
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* Breaking: Franks named starting quarterback
*Alley: Make no mistake about it, CJM didn't want to do this
* Impact Analysis: Scarlett, Wells suspended
* Scarlett, Wells suspended indefinitely
* Alley: Discuss the big suspension with Florida fans
* Opening week depth chart released
* Monday Notebook: Mum is the word on starting quarterback
* McElwain PC Blog: No quarterback named
* Take Five: Florida Football Camp Breakdown
* GET TWO MONTHS OF FREE ACCESS
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The biggest Florida story of the day looked like it would be the suspension of junior running back Jordan Scarlett, but head coach Jim McElwain had a trick up his sleeve.
“There are no secrets in this business, as you guys know. I met with the quarterbacks this morning. You know, we'll start Feleipe [Franks],” McElwain said. “We still have a plan moving forward with everything that we have. But that was something that, again, we met this morning and practiced that way this afternoon and will continue moving forward.
“Obviously with the packages and plan that we have in place the others will be ready to go. That's something that the guys have done a really good job of. And here's the good thing. We had some choices and some real hard choices there. I think that's really good. The key is gonna be how the guys play around the position as well. How we do on both fronts and the playmakers, getting the ball in those guys' hands to be able to go out and make some explosive plays.”
For McElwain, it was about what Franks has done since spring practice, when he emerged as the leader over fellow redshirt freshman Kyle Trask.
“I think the big thing is the whole body of work from spring on,” McElwain said. “Him being there, being a part of that, I think he was a little bit ahead. And you know what, he deserves it. He’s done a really good job. Not to say the other guys didn’t. There’s still a little bit there obviously with the late start on the injury and then obviously the way it started getting here in the middle of the summer. At this point, he’s done a good job and we’re excited for him.”
Many wondered if the coach might favor a more experienced quarterback like redshirt junior Luke Del Rio or senior Malik Zaire, a Notre Dame transfer, taking the first snap in AT&T Stadium, but the third-year coach is confident Franks will be able to handle the big stage.
“That kind of shows what you’re made of,” McElwain said. “And, no, I think the big thing in that, he’s going to be excited, there’s no doubt about it, but in that big stage the guy’s got a big arm, too. You know what, he’s been in those. He’s played in state championship games. He’ll be ready to go.”
McElwain said that Franks was predictably excited about the news, but Del Rio and Zaire took the decision well.
“They didn't jump up and down in joy. No, I mean, they handled it like they should,” McElwain said. “They handled it like competitors, and yet they handled it like teammates. And that's something you like to see."
Suspensions came up fast
“Early this afternoon we were made aware of a couple of more guys, and obviously one of those is Jordan Scarlett that won’t be going with us this week and won’t be part of any team activities, as the other guys have not been until, you know, whatever it is is resolved,” McElwain said in his opening statement.
“As you know, the one thing I will never do is look the other way and try to hide something,” he added. “The guys on our team understand the responsibility, but with that, you know, people think of the distractions and that type of thing, and yet, it’s an opportunity for more guys to go and play and play their tails off.”
The coach faced questions as to whether Scarlett and redshirt freshman wide receiver Rick Wells, whose suspensions are connected to the misuse of academic funds which resulted in seven suspensions earlier this month, will be in more trouble for not fessing up earlier.
“I don’t know. They’re in trouble,” McElwain said. “So I don’t know what more is or what less is, what you hope is you learn from the lesson.”
When asked about the UF Police Department’s ongoing investigation into alleged credit card fraud, McElwain declined further comment.
“That’s something that they can handle,” McElwain said. “We were made aware of some things. You can take that for what it’s worth. The thing is when we were made aware we immediately took action.”
The suspensions of Wells and Scarlett make 10 total players suspended for the season opener against Michigan.
Freshman linebacker James Houston, freshman offensive tackle Kadeem Telfort, junior defensive end Keivonnis Davis, junior wide receiver Antonio Callaway, redshirt freshman defensive end Jordan Smith, redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Richerd Desir-Jones and freshman linebacker Ventrell Miller were suspended on Aug. 13 for alleged misuse of credit cards. Those seven players, along with Scarlett and Wells, are suspended from team activities. Freshman wide receiver James Robinson was suspended for the Michigan game after receiving a citation for marijuana possession last week.
“Well I think the big thing there, as I go back, we're not afraid to make a decision and we're not (going) to hide anything,” McElwain said. “That is what it is. At the end of the day, that's actually a positive because people know no matter what it is we're going to handle it and we're not going to put it aside, we're not going to enable, we're going to teach lessons. And ultimately in doing that, you know what, you're better off for it."
Scarlett’s suspension means more carries for freshmen running backs
Without Scarlett, the Gators turn to two running backs who made less than 100 carries each last season (sophomore Lamical Perine and senior Mark Thompson) and two true freshmen (Malik Davis and Adarius Lemons).
“Obviously, we've bumped Mark and Lamical, Malik will play a ton as well,” McElwain said. “Those guys will be in there, and then Adarius who’s had a good camp, we'll carry those four going into it. So from a rotation standpoint, it probably moved Malik up into a few more things."
McElwain clarified that Thompson is available despite receiving a citation in April for marijuana possession.
Injury update
Redshirt freshman defensive back Quincy Lenton, who had only recently returned to practice from a foot injury which had been bothering him, will likely be out for Saturday’s game.
“Quincy Lenton was back on a full go,” McElwain said. “Looked like he might have pulled up a little bit today. That'll hurt us some in depth. Not saying he's out yet, but he wasn't able to finish practice.”
Aside from Lenton, the Gators appear to be in good shape on the injury front.
“Other than that, the same guys that have been out are out. So with that, I guess in saying that, we're going in pretty darned healthy, and that's a good thing.”
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