clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Florida quarterback Skyler Mornhinweg transferring to Columbia

Florida's down to just two scholarship QBs ... for now.

By Andy Hutchins
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Florida quarterback Skyler Mornhinweg is transferring to Columbia, coach Jim McElwain announced during an SEC teleconference on Wednesday.

McElwain was asked about Florida's quarterback situation in the context of Everett Golson's reported Tuesday meeting with Florida on campus, and revealed Mornhinweg's transfer in his answer.

"You know, like I said, we look every single day to try and better the organization and like I said, if they're a fit we'll go ahead and do everything we can to get our balance back to where it needs to be. Right now, we did have a quarterback transfer in Skyler Mornhinweg, (who) ended up going to Columbia. We wish him the best. We'd've loved to have him stay here, but, obviously, as it sits we're right now with two scholarship quarterbacks. And so moving forward, as you guys all know, that position — especially in this league, now — you need to have some depth. We're constantly looking at that spot and some other spots on the roster to try to make sure that we have some needed bodies in those areas.

Mornhinweg started Florida's final three games of the 2013 season, all losses, and completed 44 of 63 passes for 344 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. He also looked thoroughly outmatched by South Carolina and Florida State, despite a dink-and-dunk offense tailored to his skills, and finished with a lower passer rating than the one Jeff Driskel (who threw two touchdowns and three picks) posted in 2013 because of an anemic 5.5 yards per attempt.

Mornhinweg did not see action in 2014, and so should have three years of eligibility remaining to use with the Lions; moving down from FBS to FCS competition will also grant him immediate eligiblity.

Mornhinweg's transfer leaves Florida with just Will Grier and Treon Harris as scholarship quarterbacks, and the Gators will surely look to the transfer market for help at the position. While Florida is only really in pursuit of Golson at the moment, the program is expected to have former Alabama and Oregon State backup Luke Del Rio enroll this summer, and is also pursuing former Vanderbilt quarterback/receiver Josh Grady, who could make a decision soon ($).