Treon Harris embraces Gators QB battle, chance to show more ability

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- On the first day of spring camp Monday, Gators quarterback Treon Harris took snaps under center.

Doesn't seem like a big deal, but on Wednesday during Harris' first media session since he replaced Jeff Driskel as Florida's starting quarterback last season, Harris said other than at practice while in high school, he hasn't taken snaps under center regularly since middle school.

Harris directed a shotgun offense at Miami's Booker T. Washington High and won a pair of state championships his final two seasons.

Now a UF sophomore, Harris worked some out of his familiar shotgun on Wednesday during Florida's second spring practice under first-year head coach Jim McElwain.

"In the script we tried to be about 33 percent each, whether we were in gun, pistol or under [center]," McElwain said. "[We] continue to work under because these guys haven't done it a lot, and so learning how to pressure with the bottom hand and riding the center."

Harris sounds confident that whatever McElwain and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier throw his way this spring that he will make the necessary adjustments.

Harris proved his ability to succeed on the fly when he replaced Driskel in a tight game at Tennessee last season and led Florida to a 10-7 come-from-behind victory.

"I had never stepped on the field in front of a crowd like that," Harris said. "I couldn't hear myself talk."

Harris and redshirt freshman Will Grier are in a battle this spring to earn a leg up in their competition to be the Gators' starting quarterback.

Harris started six games a season ago after replacing Driskel and led Florida to four wins.

He is approaching the battle with Grier as another chance to show he can get the job done regardless of the offense or the situation.

Two days after his breakout moment at Tennessee, Harris faced a sexual assault claim that was later withdrawn by the accuser following a police investigation.

Harris was held out for a game and once he was cleared to return, made his first career start in a win against Georgia.

He recently told GatorZone.com that his freshman season was a fast-paced blur.

"Last year was very tough," he said. "I got thrown into a situation that I thought wasn't even going to happen, going out there and taking the starting spot.

"Last year college showed me that everything moves fast. Time waits on no one. I was prepared enough to go out there and run a couple of plays, but I wasn't really all the way prepared. The coaches had the confidence in me to put me out there and take over the team and lead the team. We just got better every day."

Harris told reporters Wednesday that his off-the-field issues also tested him.

"It was a tough situation for everybody," he said. "I just stayed focused, stayed poised and let God handle everything. I just kept my head up."

The highlight of Florida's 2014 season was the upset victory over the Bulldogs. However, Harris' primary job that game was to hand off to running backs Kelvin Taylor and Matt Jones.

His most productive game as a passer was in a victory at Vanderbilt when he completed 13 of 21 passes for 215 yards.

Harris is using the same approach in his battle with Grier that he did as Driskel's backup at the start of last season.

Focus on the competition on the field and leave the rest up to the armchair quarterbacks.

"I had to be ready to step in when Jeff had to get out," Harris said Wednesday. "That's what me and Will are here for. Nobody thinking about leaving, transferring school, none of that. We are just competing every day and getting each other better."

Harris is considered the more dangerous runner of the two. While Grier is also mobile, his skill-set falls in line more with a traditional drop-back quarterback. Harris is considered a dual-threat quarterback.

Harris said he has been working on learning the new offense and reading defenses better. He said the biggest on-field adjustment last season was learning to read more complex defensive schemes than he faced in high school.

He said the late-season thumb injury that affected his accuracy is healed and not an issue this spring.

He is encouraged by the way McElwain, a former quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, has come in and told everyone they have a fresh start.

McElwain has stressed that playing quarterback is unlike any other position on the team. Harris is trying to set a good example for his teammates in his battle with Grier.

"You've got to lead the team, guide the team," Harris said. "They look at you. If you are doing something wrong, they will do something wrong. If you do something right, they will follow your footsteps."

In his recent interview with GatorZone.com, Harris discussed his excitement about starting a new season with a fresh opportunity.

He may have started six games as a true freshman, but he said he has a lot more to offer than what fans got to see.

"When I first came here, everything was moving fast for me, on the field, off the field, everywhere," he said. "Now I just feel comfortable and I know what I'm doing.

"I've got a lot more there. I was just playing my role the coaches wanted me to. I did what I had to do."