Backup quarterback Josh Portis transferred, third-stringer Gavin Dickey gave up football for baseball and freshman Cornelius Ingram moved to tight end.
The Gators signed highly touted recruit Tim Tebow on Wednesday to a national letter of intent, and the Nease High School standout will be Chris Leak's backup this fall. Tebow already is enrolled in classes this semester.
But coach Urban Meyer said he needs someone else to fill out the roster when spring practice begins March 29.
``I don't know if I've ever had (less) than two (quarterbacks on scholarship), which is a scary deal,'' Meyer said. ``We're attempting to find a walk-on quarterback who can come in and play. We're still recruiting that position.''
Meyer said offensive coordinator Dan Mullen has been tasked with finding someone to fill the void.
The Gators also signed receiver Jarred Fayson, who played quarterback at Hillsborough High School in Tampa. Meyer said Fayson will take some snaps at quarterback but will primarily be used at wideout.
``He's very athletic, can actually throw the ball pretty good, very good athlete, can run some options with him, some quarterback runs,'' Meyer said.
But Meyer summed up the quarterback situation as, ``that's not a perfect position.''
TOO MUCH HYPE: Coach Urban Meyer said there has been too much hype surrounding freshman quarterback Tim Tebow, and he planned to start shielding Tebow from the media over the next few months.
Tebow was Florida's ``Mr. Football'' for 2005 after scoring 55 touchdowns. He had six TDs in the state title game in which Nease High School defeated two-time defending champion Seffner Armwood 44-37. Tebow threw for 3,442 yards and 34 scores in his final high school season, plus rushed for 1,045 yards and 21 more touchdowns.
He finished his career with 9,940 yards passing, 13,050 yards of total offense and 159 touchdowns all state records.
``A little too much hype,'' Meyer said. ``I'm used to it. It happened here last year with the football coach. I've seen it. I was at Notre Dame when Ron Powlus was there. Wow. What a great guy. I think he was a pretty good quarterback. He didn't live up to everyone's expectations, but he was a pretty good quarterback. It was really hard on him. I'm going to protect (Tebow) the next few months.''
COACHING SITUATION: Coach Urban Meyer applauded his assistants for helping put together what was widely considered the nation's top recruiting classes Wednesday.
But he stopped short of saying all of them will return in their same capacities next season.
``Not sure. Not sure. Fairly sure,'' Meyer said. ``I have not had a chance to really evaluate it. ... I'm very pleased with the effort of our coaching staff, tireless guys that love the University of Florida and they're excellent teachers. I anticipate that it will be the same.''
http://accesswdun.com/article/2006/2/116966