Congratulations, Jim McElwain. You’ve landed your first QB commit as the head coach of the Florida Gators.
Jake Allen (Fort Lauderdale, FL/St. Thomas Aquinas) has announced that he has committed to Florida. He becomes the 2nd member of the Class of 2017. His most impressive offers have come from Miami, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati- but don’t let that fool you.
As you can see from his Hudl page highlights, Allen possesses natural athletic ability, with a strong arm and very good accuracy. The reason he isn’t a five star recruit and doesn’t boast a laundry list of offers is because there are still 19 months before his National Signing Day. Florida just offered him really early, before he had a chance to rack up offers and stars. Which is good.
He may have to bulk up a bit before he arrives in Gainesville, but he’s a smart, quick thinking kid who if nothing else finally provides the Gators with some depth at the QB position. I say that because by the time he arrives in Gainesville, Will Grier (or maybe Treon Harris) will be entering his third year as the full time starter. Benching whichever one of those guys eventually wins the starting job in favor of a true freshman seems highly unlikely regardless of how much Allen impresses in practice. But there will come a day where both of those guys are gone- either 2018 or 2019- and McElwain will have to find a new starting QB. And Allen, who would likely be a redshirt freshman or sophomore at that time, with two years of learning McElwain’s system, figures to be the guy.
I spoke with Allen a few weeks ago, and he sort of gave me the impression that he was just biding his time, waiting for the right moment to commit. He also radiated confidence, something that a lot of recruits do but only at certain moments in the conversation. Allen sounded 100% ready to be a Florida Gator through and through.
And I’m ready for him to be a Florida Gator, too.