HOOVER, Ala. — Shortly after quarterback Will Grier was popped by the NCAA last year, Florida stumbled with Treon Harris.

A 10-1 start to the season quickly fell apart to a 10-4 finish. While the Gators were champions of the SEC East, consecutive beatings by Florida State, Alabama and Michigan were equal parts public and humiliating.

Grier ultimately decided to transfer to West Virginia. Harris’ future with the Gators is in limbo — he’s enrolled and working out but not yet officially welcomed back to the locker room from suspension. One way or another, he’s going to switch positions and won’t be lining up under center in Gainesville any longer.

Second-year coach Jim McElwain will have one of the more interesting QB rooms in the country as a result.

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A pair of signees from the 2016 recruiting class, Feleipe Franks and Kyle Trask, enrolled early and have already been through spring practice. Neither is a real candidate for the starting job right away, though.

More than likely, two transfers will be atop the depth chart when UF hosts Massachusetts Sept. 3 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The presumptive starter is Luke Del Rio, who did a turn at both Alabama and Oregon State before putting on orange and blue. Former Purdue signal caller Austin Appleby is the likely backup.

McElwain signed both Franks and Trask to develop for 2017 and beyond. Either or both could be redshirted.

But with no veterans from last year’s roster returning — Harris doesn’t count, as his quarterbacking days are over — he needs Del Rio and Appleby to forget what they learned elsewhere and play well immediately.

Jul 11, 2016; Hoover, AL, USA; Florida head coach Jim McElwain speaks during SEC media day at Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

According to the chatter in and around the program, Del Rio solidified himself as the best option throughout spring ball. Because he sat out 2015 as a transfer, he had a chance to participate in practice and learn the system from within. Appleby didn’t have that luxury and had some problems adjusting to his new scheme.

“I think the key there is having that right mix,” McElwain said Monday at SEC Media Days. “Obviously in Austin Appleby, someone who played in big games, he’s played in big stadiums, having started in the Big Ten. That’s something that’s invaluable. In Luke’s case, (the) familiarity he had kind of with what we do offensively I think is good.”

Even though Franks was rated higher by recruiting services, Trask reportedly had a more impressive spring.

Only one of the four can be the quarterback of the present for McElwain. And, realistically, only one can be the quarterback of the future, too. Surely they know that, even without a predetermined pecking order.

“The key is to see that competition,” McElwain said. “And what (Del Rio and Appleby) do to give of themselves, to help those two younger guys in Kyle Trask and Feleipe Franks, how they help them develop, that’s what has been kind of fun. To see some veterans who know how to study a game plan, know how to study install, kind of from that standpoint help those younger guys come along.”

UF might be defending the East, but McElwain and Co. will have myriad opportunities to play the disrespect card in 2016. Tennessee is surely going to be the media’s choice in Hoover to win the division, even with a current losing streak of 11 games to the Gators. The champs are most definitely flying under the radar.

It’s tough to forget Florida’s pathetic passing game of a year ago under Harris. But change is on the way.

“Here’s the good thing: We’ve really got good arm talent,” McElwain said. “I’m excited about being able to stretch the field vertically. Should be a lot of fun.”

John Crist is the senior writer for Saturday Down South. You can send him an e-mail directly at jcrist@saturdaydownsouth.com or follow him on Twitter @SaturdayJC.