Florida's Best Starting Quarterbacks Since 2000, Ranked

The Florida Gators haven't exactly hit the lottery when it comes to recruiting and developing quarterbacks this millennium. Obviously, Heisman Trophy winners like Steve Spurrier and Danny Wuerffel stick out from the 1960s and 1990s, respectively. Outside of about four passers, Florida has been plagued by mediocre quarterback play in the 2000s and 2010s.

Here is your list of the 15 best Florida quarterbacks since 2000.

15. Skyler Mornhinweg, the son of former longtime offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, probably had no business starting at Florida for three games in 2013.

14. Highly-touted high school QB Brock Berlin made his lone start in the 2002 Orange Bowl, but he was later replaced by Rex Grossman.

13. Jacoby Brissett was thrown into the fire in 2011, playing in 13 games before transferring to North Carolina State and starring in the NFL.

12. Tyler Murphy didn’t do much in 2013, but he did break the ACC single-season record for rushing yards by a quarterback at Boston College.

11. Treon Harris replaced Jeff Driskel in 2014 and compiled 3,265 total yards during his 20 games. But he totaled just 22 touchdowns, four of which were rushing or receiving.

10. Austin Appleby was the first graduate transfer to start at quarterback for Florida and wrapped up UF’s 9-4 campaign by winning the 2016 Outback Bowl.

9. John Brantley took over as the starting quarterback in 2010, throwing for 4,105 yards and 20 touchdowns with 17 interceptions. Florida was a combined 15-11 over that time.

8. Luke Del Rio fought through injuries and played in eight games over two years in Gainesville. He threw for 1,637 yards, nine touchdowns and was 6-1 as a starter.

7. Feleipe Franks showed both bright and dark spots while in Gainesville, but went down with injury early in the Gators' 2019 season. He transferred to Arkansas thanks to the rise of Kyle Trask.

6. Jeff Driskel’s 2012 season was decent before he transferred. Behind a phenomenal defense, Driskel helped the Gators to an 11-2 record, and if not for a loss to Georgia, they may have played for a national championship.

5. Kyle Trask needed 10 starts as a redshirt junior to climb this list. His 25 touchdown passes were eighth-most in a single season, and Florida won the Orange Bowl. If Florida and coach Dan Mullen makes a run at an SEC Championship in 2020, Trask will be the reason why.

4. Before Will Grier starred at West Virginia, he dominated SEC schools at Florida. The 2015 Gators were a perfect 6-0 under Grier, which included a win over No. 2 Ole Miss and thrilling comeback win over Tennessee.

3. Chris Leak led the Gators to their 2006 National Championship and helped usher in an era of dominance. He finished his career with 101 total touchdowns, third most in UF history behind Tebow and Danny Wuerffel.

2. Rex Grossman put together three great college football seasons in Gainesville. Grossman’s 2001 First-Team All-American campaign may have been his best. During Steve Spurrier’s final year as UF’s head coach, the future first round NFL Draft pick averaged an NCAA record 9.1 yards per play and finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting.

1. Tim Tebow is the obvious choice. One Heisman Trophy. Two national titles. More than 12,000 total yards and 145 touchdowns. Four great years and forever defining what it means to be a University of Florida Gator.

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