SEC INSIDER

Florida names Del Rio starting QB

The Sports Xchange

August 18, 2016 at 6:42 pm.

Luke Del Rio is the Gators starting QB. Photo Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

Luke Del Rio is the Gators starting QB. Photo Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

Florida named Luke Del Rio the starting quarterback for its season opener against the University of Massachusetts on Sept. 3.

Del Rio, the son of Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio, emerged as the winner of a four-man competition, beating out Purdue graduate transfer Austin Appleby and a pair of freshmen.

A redshirt sophomore, Del Rio is already with his third school, transferring from Alabama to Oregon State in 2014 before exiting for Florida one year later.

“Luke is going to work as the starter the rest of camp and start in the season opener barring any unforeseen development,” Gators coach Jim McElwain said Thursday in a statement released by the school. “Our other quarterbacks remain in the plans and are ready to move forward and help the Gators any way they can.”

Del Rio appeared in three games at Oregon State, completing 8 of 18 passes for 141 yards. He was impressive in Florida’s spring game, going 10 of 11 for 176 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

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