Photo: Jim McElwain officially welcomes grad transfer QB Malik Zaire to Florida
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After struggling mightily with the quarterback position during his first two seasons in Gainesville, Florida head coach Jim McElwain appears very pleased to add yet another experienced player to his quarterback room for the 2017 season.
While it took a rule change by the SEC for it to happen, former Notre Dame starting quarterback Malik Zaire officially announced his plans to transfer to Florida last week in a commitment video. Under the league’s previous rules, Zaire was ineligible to transfer to Florida as a graduate after the school took in two players that failed to meet academic requirements after transferring in as graduates.
Following Zaire’s video, McElwain himself posted a welcome message to Zaire and former Clemson offensive lineman Jake Fruhmorgen. Fruhmorgen is also transferring into the Gator program, however, he will sit out the 2017 season due to NCAA transfer rules for undergraduates.
Excited to officially welcome Jake Fruhmorgen & Malik Zaire to the @GatorsFB family!! #GoGators pic.twitter.com/2rcuOARu7Y
— Jim McElwain (@CoachMcElwain) June 26, 2017
In three seasons of play, Zaire appeared in 15 games for Notre Dame, throwing for 816 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions. His most impressive game came against Texas in 2015, when Zaire threw for 313 yards and three touchdowns in the season opener.
With yet another quarterback on the roster, the competition under center in Gainesville will be one of the biggest position battles to watch in the fall. Considering Florida opens in Arlington, Texas against a talented Michigan team, making the right decision at quarterback could prove to be the difference between starting the season with a win or loss for McElwain’s team.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
