UF coaches survey QB talent at camp

It’s never too early for a quarterback to get a few tweaks and pointers.

A handful did just that at Florida’s Elite Quarterbacks Camp last week and while the pressure always seems to be on quarterbacks, most displayed the right confidence and swagger needed to get themselves noticed by the Gators’ coaches.

“I know for me, I like Florida a lot and I wanted to do well, so I didn’t put any pressure on myself because that’s when people start to do bad,” said Miami Shores Monsignor Pace quarterback Stephen Morris. “If you just play the game like you know how to play it and throw like you know how to throw and get coached up and listen to the coaches, there shouldn’t be much pressure.”

Morris, who has been a relative unknown on the recruiting front, headed into Florida’s camp with the desire to gain an offer.

The 6-foot-2, 186-pound Morris, who Rivals.com ranks as the 23rd-best dual-threat quarterback, had a solid showing at Florida’s camp and displayed one of the strongest arms on the field. Morris also said it was his overall athleticism and ability to scramble that he thinks impressed UF’s coaches.

He hasn’t gotten that offer from UF, but Morris is hoping after his efforts this past week, the Gators will start to show more interest.

“I’d feel pretty honored. Just getting an offer from Florida — the national champions who’re always stacked with great competition and speed — would be a great opportunity,” he said.

Like Morris, Concord, N.C., Northwest Cabarrus QB Jeremy Cannon arrived in Gainesville with the idea of trying to get himself noticed. After missing his entire junior year because of two surgeries on his left knee, Cannon moved around — with a brace of course — as if nothing had happened. Cannon threw for 2,600 yards and 19 touchdowns as a sophomore.

Arguably the most anticipated quarterback prospect to visit Florida’s camp was Lakewood, Calif., athlete Jesse Scroggins. Scroggins worked out later in the week and told multiple media outlets afterward that Florida, Tennessee and USC are his front-runners.

While some were looking to impress, current Gator commitment and Venice quarterback Trey Burton said he worked out in order to get some fine-tuning from UF quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler.

Even with his pledge, Burton said Loeffler and coach Urban Meyer still pushed him as hard — if not harder — than his campmates.

“They’ll tell me the same thing they tell everybody else on how to do stuff, but they’ll go more in-depth with me,” Burton said.

Burton said he spent most of his time in The Swamp working on his footwork and improving on his throwing motion.