Luke Del Rio has finally reached his destination as a starting college quarterback!
The journey started Del Rio at Alabama as a walk-on in 2013, where he didn’t throw a pass. Then he transferred to Oregon State, where he appeared in three games in 2014. Soon after, Beavers coach Mike Riley left Oregon State for Nebraska so Del Rio transferred to Florida.
He didn’t get a waiver he needed from the NCAA to play in 2015. But Del Rio is good to go in 2016 and was just named the Gators’ starter for the season opener against UMass. Florida head coach Jim McElwain announced the decision on Florida Gators.com Thursday.
He said, “Luke is going to work as the starter the rest of camp and start in the season opener barring any unforeseen development. Our other quarterbacks remain in the plans and are ready to move forward and help the Gators any way they can.”
Del Riot beat out Purdue transfer Austin Appleby to win the job. Del Rio looked like the clear-cut favorite to win the job after he had a strong spring. He went 10-for-11 with two touchdown passes in the Gators’ annual Orange and Blue Spring Game.
Last year, freshman Will Grier and Treon Harris fought for the role until Grier took over as the starter. But he was suspended for failing a test for banned substances and transferred to West Virginia in the offseason. So Del Rio will settle the quarterback position for the Gators.
The Gators’ opener vs UMass is at home against on Sept. 3. Then they open their SEC schedule the following week against Kentucky. So we will soon seen what kind of dividends starting Del Rio at quarterback will pay for the Gators.