JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Of all the questions asked of Florida Gators head coach Jim McElwain during Tuesday’s SEC Media day appearance the biggest one concerned the addition of Malik Zaire. Adding the Notre Dame graduate transfer makes for an intriguing quarterback situation. Zaire, who threw for 122 yards and a touchdown last season in a backup role, joins a competition that includes Feleipe Franks and Luke Del Rio.
McElwain didn't give many clues about who would win the job.
Recommended Videos
“We’re always looking to add to everything we do and create competition,” said McElwain. “Ultimately it doesn’t matter what profession you’re in but true competition is something that breeds excellence. I’m exciting about having him (Zaire) in there. We’re now finally up to our scholarship count that we want to be at in the quarterback room. We’ve got some real options there and that’s a good thing.”
Florida has won 19 games over the past two seasons under McElwain and has been the SEC East’s representative at the conference title game. In each trip to Atlanta they’ve struggled against Alabama.
The Gators lost 29-15 in 2015 and 54-16 last season.
Despite the lopsided nature of last year's game, Florida safety Duke Dawson believes the Gators can close the gap in a hurry.
"It’s small details," Dawson said. "Coach Mac always preaches to us about the little things. I might be a step away from breaking on a ball that could change the game ... it's just little things like that."
The SEC West has an eight-game winning streak in the league's championship game dating back to 2009.