SEC Football Media Days 2017: 5 notable quotes from Day 2

OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 24: Head Coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs talks with one of his players during a game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Oxford, Mississippi. The Rebels defeated the Bulldogs 45-14. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – SEPTEMBER 12: Quarterback Malik Zaire #8 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks on against the Virginia Cavaliers in the third quarter at Scott Stadium on September 12, 2015 in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish won, 34-27. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Jim McElwain, Florida head coach

“I know we will start a quarterback.”

The most important piece of information regarding on-the-field matters on Tuesday came from Florida, as McElwain reiterated that the starting quarterback job has not yet been decided.

Florida made waves during the offseason by landing Notre Dame transfer Malik Zaire, who looked to bring some much-needed stability and upside to the Gators’ quarterback situation. Zaire flashed plenty of ability in spurts with the Fighting Irish from 2014-2016, eventually finishing his South Bend tenure with six touchdowns to zero interceptions.

Many expected Zaire would assume the starting quarterback role by default, but McElwain has not named a starter in the month plus he’s been on campus. Refuting reports from earlier in the day, McElwain said he still does not know who the starting quarterback will be when the regular season begins.

Other Gators have indicated that Zaire’s arrival has lit a fire under sophomore Feleipe Franks, while Luke Del Rio is steadily progressing from a major shoulder injury. Whoever ends up being the starter will need to provide better play than last year’s tandem of Del Rio and Austin Appleby, as the Gators averaged just 23.9 points per game.

Quarterback may the last piece of the puzzle for the Gators to begin a New Year’s Six contender, as the defense is looking brilliant once again. McElwain will need to figure out the situation quickly, as the Gators open against a depleted yet still ultra-talented Michigan defense.

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