The Gators signed two top-flight quarterbacks in the Class of 2014 but offensive coordinator Kurt Roper is trying to land another top quarterback in the Class of 2015.
On Wednesday evening Florida handed out a new offer to quarterback Sheriron Jones (6-2, 189, Moreno Valley, CA Rancho Verde) who fits the Gators offense perfectly, he says.
“I talked to Coach [Will] Muschamp today [Wednesday] and he gave me the official offer,” Jones said. “Coach [Kurt] Roper came by a few weeks ago and watched me throw and he said he was impressed by me. Roper told my coach that I fit into his offense like a glove. “
When Jones spoke to Muschamp on Wednesday night the Gators head coach explained to the quarterback why he offered him.
“Coach Muschamp said that he was glad to offer me and that he loves everything I do on film,” Jones said. “He said that he was glad and happy to offer me and that he’s really looking to sign a quarterback in this class and he hopes that I’m the guy.”
After Roper visited Jones in California, the Cali quarterback decided to do some research on the offensive coordinator and he likes what he learned about Roper.
“I’ve researched some of Coach Roper’s background and I know he’s coached three guys that are in the NFL now,” Jones said. “I’m very impressed by his background; I mean Eli Manning has a championship under his belt in the NFL. It shows that he knows what he’s doing because they are in the NFL. If I make a commitment to Florida then I look forward to working under him and hopefully getting to the NFL like those guys.”
Usually quarterbacks are offered early on but Florida is late to the party in offering Jones. Despite the late offer, Jones says that doesn’t affect his interest and he plans to get to Gainesville soon before deciding in the fall.
“I’m very open in the process so it doesn’t matter that Florida offered me late,” Jones said. “I know that I’m going to make it out to Florida in June to check everything out for myself and I had planned to make a decision after my first senior football game but with everybody committing so soon I might have to decide earlier than that.”
California-to-Florida is no easy trip to make, but according to Jones, if Florida is the right fit for him then he has his the blessing from his family to go cross country.
“I’m comfortable with the distance from California to Florida,” Jones said. “If it’s a place I feel comfortable at then that’s the place I will go. My parents are behind me in any decision that I make. I’m just ready to play ball.”
One thing that Florida doesn’t have to worry about when Jones visits Gainesville is the depth chart because competition is something that Jones thrives for.
“I don’t really look at the depth chart because going to college you know that you are going to have beat out the guy in front of you,” Jones said. “I’m all about competition and just because there are seven guys in front of you doesn’t mean you can’t beat them all out. Even though we are on the same team at the end of the day my goal is to win the starting quarterback position.”