Gators back-up QB Jordan Reed will switch to TE

Much of the following post was originally published on OGGOA on Oct. 22, 2009.

Behind [former] starting quarterback Tim Tebow and redshirt sophomore John Brantley is Jordan Reed, a four-star freshman who committed to the Florida Gators in August 2008. Knowing Brantley would be starting ahead of him for at least two seasons, Reed was expected to back him up while simultaneously learning the ins-and-outs of the position.

Head coach Urban Meyer first mentioned on Oct. 22 that Reed may be catching passes in the future instead of throwing them. In fact, numerous beat writers reported that Reed ran wide receiver and tight end routes during pre-game practice for the Arkansas Razorbacks game. At 6’3″ and 235 pounds with a 4.5 second 40-yard dash, Reed certainly has all of the physical attributes to succeed as a playmaker.

“[Reed’s] a very good athlete,” Meyer said back in October. “We have to find a way to get him on the field someday, and [he has] pretty good hands and can run. We’re experimenting right now. He’s still a quarterback.”

During his 2010 National Signing Day press conference, Meyer indicated that Reed’s position change is imminent. This allowed Florida the flexibility to recruit another passer.

“We feel like Jordan Reed is going to move to tight end,” Meyer said. “We wanted to look for a dual position player and found that in [three-star QB] Tyler Murphy.”