With just over three minutes left in the first half and a comfortable 42-0 lead over Idaho Dan Mullen put freshman quarterback Emory Jones into the game against Idaho.
What seems like an insignificant substitution in a game that was clearly already over actually means a lot for Florida and the future, both long-term and immediate future.
First, it was a chance to get Jones into a game and not just run a package like he did against Georgia. Jones had the full playbook at his disposal and he ran it well, even if it was Idaho. Jones completed 12-of-16 (75%) of his pass attempts for 125 yards. He threw two touchdowns and added 19 yards on the ground.
There was a question whether Mullen would play Jones this week at all. Florida’s head coach has maintained all year that they would like to keep Jones on redshirt status. That means he can play in four games. playing against Idaho would be his third, meaning you have to pick either Florida State or a bowl game. That didn’t factor into Mullen’s decision, saying after the game that this was always a week he targeted for Jones to play extended time.
Of course everything changed two weeks ago when Kyle Trask broke his foot. That moved Jones from third string status to second team, meaning he’s one snap away from being a starter or having to play meaningful snaps.
“I think we were executing really well and I was really pleased to get him in as early as we did and get him as many reps as we could because he is one play away from being in the game next week — he can be in the second play of the game next week,” Mullen said of Jones taking over the offense if Franks were to suffer an injury. “And now he’s got a little bit more experience on game day, in there, running the show by himself, not just with a small package — having to run the whole offense.”
So now Jones has experience. Before Saturday he had seven carries for eight yards and one lone pass that doesn’t even show on his official stats because pass interference is called. Jones is certainly more comfortable after his performance on Saturday if he’s called upon in the last two games and the coaching staff should be more comfortable knowing how he handled it.
His teammates were excited.
“According to me, my dog balled,” running back Dameon Pierce said.
Pierce and Jones, both from Georgia, enrolled early and instantly connected. They also connected for a four-yard touchdown Saturday.
Mullen has a long history of developing quarterbacks and that history shows a slow progression. He looks to slowly add more to their plate and put them in spots to runs plays they’re comfortable with before handing over the offense to them.
Saturday was really the first time we got to see Emory Jones the passer as opposed to just a runner.
“I mean, he can throw the ball,” Mullen said. “I think one of the things, even when we were recruiting him, everybody looked at him, he was more of a pocket passer than a dual-threat guy, he just happens to be a great athlete. That first deep ball to Pitts, I mean he dropped a dime right in there.”
Now there’s a real question to be answered.
Do you redshirt him or play him in the next two games?
There is an argument to be made that there isn’t necessarily a point in redshirting Jones. if he’s what you think, hope and expect him to be he won’t be a redshirt senior in 2022, so does it matter?
Obviously an injury could force Mullen’s hand but if Franks stays healthy will he play Jones against FSU and then again in the bowl game?
“With the new rule, the ability to get on the field and play a little bit here and there, it’s perfect for someone like him,” Mullen said. “Got experience but now is the backup. He’s got the experience to be the backup without potentially burning the redshirt here. He’s got one more game to play in, possibly. We’ll see. You never know how things are going to play out for the rest of the year for him.”