As usual, the biggest storyline surrounding the Gators in fall camp revolves around the quarterback position. The prevailing thought among fans and media seems to be that, while Kyle Trask’s record-breaking passing skills will certainly be missed, the Gators will finally be able to operate Dan Mullen’s full spread-option offense now that they have a dual-threat quarterback in Emory Jones.
While nobody denies that the Gators will run the ball more frequently – and hopefully much more successfully – this fall, don’t use the phrase “dual threat” around the Gators. That term has developed a negative connotation of sorts in recent years, as it is often used to describe a quarterback who can score a touchdown with his legs on any given play but has no idea where the ball’s going when he throws it.
Jones’ teammates want to make it clear to everybody that Jones is an excellent passer first and a dynamic runner second.
“I don’t like to call Emory a dual-threat because most people see Emory break and see him run, but I call Emory a mobile pocket-passer because this guy, he can launch that ball,” running back Dameon Pierce said. “That’s probably the most underrated aspect of his game. Like, he can launch the ball. He wants to throw the ball first. He only runs when there’s absolutely nothing there or pressure comes and he’s got to get out of the pocket.”
Jones said that he doesn’t feel that the offense will be limited at all with him taking the snaps. He’s equally confident in his ability to shred secondaries with his arm as he is in his ability to break off a long run.
“I feel I can do anything on the field,” Jones said. “The offense is looking pretty good right now. We’re just taking it in stride every day, trying to get better every day.”
The biggest key for Jones and his receivers is to get their timing to the point where it’s second nature to them. The top-3 receivers from 2020 are gone, so this is almost a complete reboot in the passing game.
Jones has to know how long it will take each receiver to run a certain route and how they might alter their route based on the coverage. He’s got to be able to anticipate when they’re going to become open and get the ball to them at exactly that moment. Conversely, the receivers have to be able to trust that Jones will deliver a catchable ball and protect them from taking crushing hits.
That kind of timing and trust only comes with repetition. Jones said that he and the receivers should benefit from having played together a little bit before. Xzavier Henderson, Justin Shorter, Trent Whittemore, Kemore Gamble and others were all on the second-team offense with Jones in practice at some point over the last couple of years. Jones has also played in 20 games the past two seasons and completed passes to them.
They’ve tried to take their chemistry to another level this offseason. The quarterbacks and skill-position players started a group chat in January, and Jones texted them to let them know when and where to meet him for some practice.
“I would say just trying to get full-speed reps,” Jones said. “Last year, we didn’t really have a spring and really a chance to get a lot of work in like that. This year, just trying to get the extra work in to get full-speed reps and trying to catch up on all of that.”
Jones is also focusing on all of the leadership responsibilities that come with being the starter. When things go bad during games, the team will follow the example he sets. If he hangs his head and acts frustrated, so will the rest of the team. He needs to be the source of positive energy and encouragement that holds this team together.
“We’re going to face adversity,” he said. “You don’t know when. You’re going to face adversity in a game this year. I’ve been trying to find different ways to bring the team together and get us back on track whenever that time comes.”
Mullen completely trusts the physical components of Jones’ game, but, like everyone else, he’s anxious to see how he’ll handle all of the fame and scrutiny that come with being the starting quarterback.
He’ll no longer be able to live in relative anonymity. He’ll have to speak to the media twice per week and do interviews with television crews. Everywhere he goes, fans will ask him for autographs and photos. Every pass he throws, everything he says and everything he tweets will be dissected and debated on social media, message boards, radio shows and podcasts. Win or lose, play well or play poorly, he will be the second-biggest celebrity in Gainesville behind only Mullen.
Mullen believes Jones is mature enough to handle being in the spotlight, but you never know for sure until the season starts.
“My confidence in Emory as a player is extremely high,” Mullen said. “My confidence with his maturity is extremely high. Now he’s going to get put in situations we haven’t seen him have to handle. Everyone’s favorite player on the team is the backup quarterback. Everyone loves the backup quarterback.
“So, I think that is such a big deal of now all the extra responsibilities that you haven’t had to handle that come that are really almost non-football-related, more mental and handling different situations and pressures, not how’s he going to handle a third-down-and-4. I have no worries about that, it’s really how’s he going to handle all of what comes with being a starting quarterback.”
After serving as a change-of-pace option to Trask and Feleipe Franks for the past three years, Jones is out to prove that he’s more than just a runner. He can also throw the ball well, lead his teammates through challenging times and handle being in the spotlight.
If he does those things, Gators fans will have plenty of ways to describe Jones for generations to come.
Just don’t refer to him as a “dual-threat quarterback” around his teammates.