GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- If Dan Mullen's track record for developing quarterbacks is any indication, Florida fans shouldn't worry much about not seeing talented true freshman Emory Jones much in 2018.

Despite question marks about the play of starter Feleipe Franks at various points throughout the season, Mullen was quite careful to avoid putting Jones into any situations where he might feel undue pressure. Jones played in just four games -- maintaining a redshirt thanks to new NCAA rules in 2018 -- and threw passes (at least officially) in only one of them.

On paper, you might think Jones didn't really get a chance to develop in Year 1. Not so, if you ask Jones.

"He puts me in games and situations that help me grow," Jones said. "That man knows what he's doing. He came at us, he's going to make us work hard and he loves us at the end of the day."

Though Jones probably would have loved to play more in 2018, he understands that Mullen's got a very concrete plan for his future. Shoot, look back at several of the top-notch quarterbacks Mullen has developed over the years and most have had to bide their time as they developed while more veteran players started.

That was Jones' role in 2018. He threw just 16 passes, completing 12 for 125 yards and two touchdowns this fall. He also rushed 18 times for 41 yards, flashing some of the quick-twitch athleticism that makes him such an intriguing fit for Mullen's offense down the road.

Jones also looked quite accurate as a passer in the limited game time he did get, something that wasn't always the case in the several open practices the media saw him in during spring ball and throughout the last year. That's an encouraging sign moving forward.

For Jones, simply getting the chance to play was welcome. That one of his four appearances came in his home state, in front of family and friends in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta, was even better.

"This was obviously pretty special to me," Jones said. "This is my first time playing in this stadium. To come here and play in front of my hometown is special."

When Jones will get more of an opportunity remains to be seen. It's hard to envision him pushing for the starting job immediately this offseason, at least not with the kind of year Franks just turned in with a tough opponent in Miami up first in 2019.

Still, Jones showed he's a factor in the Florida quarterback race in the future. It's impossible to ignore how good a scheme fit he looks to be for Mullen. Once Mullen has a chance to develop him, watch out. Jones progressed quickly in 2018, and Mullen is all about competition.

In fact, everyone is. If Jones can push Franks this offseason, that only helps Florida.

Everyone in that quarterback room is on board with that now.

"I’ve never shied away from a competition. Doesn’t matter to me," Franks said. "It won’t be the first time, probably won’t be the last time I’ll be in a competition. I think it’s fun to be honest with you. It’s going to make me better and it’s going to make them better as well, because we've got some good quarterbacks in our room.

"Me playing at my best level is going to help Kyle (Trask) play at his best level and Emory at his best level and it just rotates, same for me as well. Them playing high at their level is going to help me play high at my level."