Gators coach Jim McElwain kept a close eye on the players behind center on Friday night. (Photo: Sydney Jones/For UAA Communications)
Franks Has Cleared Some Hurdles in Past Year
Saturday, April 8, 2017 | Football, Scott Carter
The redshirt freshman quarterback has put himself in good position heading into the offseason.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Feleipe Franks was unavailable to share his thoughts after last year's Orange & Blue Debut spring game. Then again, he really didn't need to.
His body language spoke loud enough for everyone to hear.
Three months after arriving on campus from Wakulla (Fla.) High, the highly touted Franks completed his first four passes in his Gators debut, but only one was to the offense. In between on-the-spot lessons from offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, a demoralized Franks managed to steady himself enough to throw a touchdown pass to C'yontai Lewis on the game's final play.
Still, it was as clear as Ginnie Springs that Franks was not ready to seriously challenge for Florida's starting quarterback job.
"From a year ago to today, there was a lot to improve upon,'' Franks said late Friday night.
Franks stood behind a lectern as he discussed his performance in his second Orange & Blue Debut, one he'll certainly cherish more than his first. In a quarterback battle this spring with fellow redshirt freshmen Kyle Trask, Franks took questions from the media following the Orange's 31-0 victory over the Blue in front of an estimated crowd of 48,000 fans.
He spoke only minutes after head coach Jim McElwain answered the question everyone in the room had on their mind. Did Franks, after going 8-for-14 for 119 yards and one touchdown, do enough to emerge as the favorite to win the starting job?
"I think he's ahead,'' McElwain said. "There's no doubt about it."
Franks made his loudest statement on the first drive of the game, connecting with sophomore receiver Josh Hammond for a 46-yard completion that led to touchdown and early lead. Meanwhile, Trask finished 6 of 16 for 66 yards and an interception primarily going against the first-team defense. Franks operated mostly against the second-team defense.
At 6-foot-6, 219 pounds, Franks has the size. He has the athleticism to throw on the move. And if you ask the Florida receivers, Franks definitely has the arm.
His throw to Hammond gave Franks something he needed in front of a crowd and under the microscope of a live audience on the SEC Network.
"A big role in the quarterback position is just having the confidence,'' Franks said. "That was a confidence booster for me."
Franks wasn't perfect – he said a communication issue caused him to miss running back Jordan Scarlett in the flat on one play – but he was better than we have ever seen him.
Franks showed a nice touch on a touchdown pass to Antonio Callaway on a corner route. The timing of his release was quicker than what we saw a year ago. And perhaps most importantly, he didn't look totally out of his comfort zone like the fresh-faced newcomer in 2016.
Franks needed the past 16 months to get ready for a moment like Friday.
"We've been working since we got here to make each one of us better as well as everybody on the team,'' said Franks, referencing his battle with Trask. "We're going to continue to do that. I think that's what's got us this far.
"There's always something to work on in a quarterback's game. One of the biggest things for me I think is getting through my progressions, my footwork. Everything about that position needs to be sharp."
Florida's troubles at quarterback since the departure of Tim Tebow after the 2009 season are well-documented. As McElwain enters his third season and coming off back-to-back SEC East titles, the biggest hurdle the Gators face is finding a consistent difference-maker at quarterback.
With Michigan on the schedule in five months, the best-case scenario is for Franks to continue to improve and take the job and run with it. If that doesn't happen, Trask can quickly move ahead if he shows drastic improvement in fall camp.
And don't forget about Luke Del Rio, who started six games last season and is out this spring after a pair of offseason shoulder surgeries. Del Rio is the quarterback on the roster most advanced in the playbook and the only one to take a snap in a regular-season game.
Franks left Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Friday night composed on the outside and based on his words, content at where the race stands. He had no plans to lose any sleep wondering how the battle will shake out after the summer.
"I don't stress about that,'' he said. "That's what Coach Mac and Coach Nuss are here for."
Despite their ongoing battle, Trask and Franks both say they remain friendly rivals. Trask even complimented Franks' improvement when it was his turn to face the media Friday.
"He has a lot of confidence at the line of scrimmage and I like how he has that, and I try to take away from that,'' Trask said.
We don't know what's next. For now, all we have is McElwain's post-spring evaluation that Franks is the front-runner in the battle. We'll have to wait a few months to find out what that means in September when the Gators face Michigan in the season opener.
Franks knows what Friday's performance meant when compared to last year's disaster.
"A tremendous difference,'' he said.
That's a good place to start.
His body language spoke loud enough for everyone to hear.
Three months after arriving on campus from Wakulla (Fla.) High, the highly touted Franks completed his first four passes in his Gators debut, but only one was to the offense. In between on-the-spot lessons from offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, a demoralized Franks managed to steady himself enough to throw a touchdown pass to C'yontai Lewis on the game's final play.
Still, it was as clear as Ginnie Springs that Franks was not ready to seriously challenge for Florida's starting quarterback job.
"From a year ago to today, there was a lot to improve upon,'' Franks said late Friday night.
Franks stood behind a lectern as he discussed his performance in his second Orange & Blue Debut, one he'll certainly cherish more than his first. In a quarterback battle this spring with fellow redshirt freshmen Kyle Trask, Franks took questions from the media following the Orange's 31-0 victory over the Blue in front of an estimated crowd of 48,000 fans.
He spoke only minutes after head coach Jim McElwain answered the question everyone in the room had on their mind. Did Franks, after going 8-for-14 for 119 yards and one touchdown, do enough to emerge as the favorite to win the starting job?
"I think he's ahead,'' McElwain said. "There's no doubt about it."
Franks made his loudest statement on the first drive of the game, connecting with sophomore receiver Josh Hammond for a 46-yard completion that led to touchdown and early lead. Meanwhile, Trask finished 6 of 16 for 66 yards and an interception primarily going against the first-team defense. Franks operated mostly against the second-team defense.
At 6-foot-6, 219 pounds, Franks has the size. He has the athleticism to throw on the move. And if you ask the Florida receivers, Franks definitely has the arm.
His throw to Hammond gave Franks something he needed in front of a crowd and under the microscope of a live audience on the SEC Network.
"A big role in the quarterback position is just having the confidence,'' Franks said. "That was a confidence booster for me."
Franks wasn't perfect – he said a communication issue caused him to miss running back Jordan Scarlett in the flat on one play – but he was better than we have ever seen him.
Franks showed a nice touch on a touchdown pass to Antonio Callaway on a corner route. The timing of his release was quicker than what we saw a year ago. And perhaps most importantly, he didn't look totally out of his comfort zone like the fresh-faced newcomer in 2016.
Franks needed the past 16 months to get ready for a moment like Friday.
"We've been working since we got here to make each one of us better as well as everybody on the team,'' said Franks, referencing his battle with Trask. "We're going to continue to do that. I think that's what's got us this far.
"There's always something to work on in a quarterback's game. One of the biggest things for me I think is getting through my progressions, my footwork. Everything about that position needs to be sharp."
Florida's troubles at quarterback since the departure of Tim Tebow after the 2009 season are well-documented. As McElwain enters his third season and coming off back-to-back SEC East titles, the biggest hurdle the Gators face is finding a consistent difference-maker at quarterback.
With Michigan on the schedule in five months, the best-case scenario is for Franks to continue to improve and take the job and run with it. If that doesn't happen, Trask can quickly move ahead if he shows drastic improvement in fall camp.
And don't forget about Luke Del Rio, who started six games last season and is out this spring after a pair of offseason shoulder surgeries. Del Rio is the quarterback on the roster most advanced in the playbook and the only one to take a snap in a regular-season game.
Franks left Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Friday night composed on the outside and based on his words, content at where the race stands. He had no plans to lose any sleep wondering how the battle will shake out after the summer.
"I don't stress about that,'' he said. "That's what Coach Mac and Coach Nuss are here for."
Despite their ongoing battle, Trask and Franks both say they remain friendly rivals. Trask even complimented Franks' improvement when it was his turn to face the media Friday.
"He has a lot of confidence at the line of scrimmage and I like how he has that, and I try to take away from that,'' Trask said.
We don't know what's next. For now, all we have is McElwain's post-spring evaluation that Franks is the front-runner in the battle. We'll have to wait a few months to find out what that means in September when the Gators face Michigan in the season opener.
Franks knows what Friday's performance meant when compared to last year's disaster.
"A tremendous difference,'' he said.
That's a good place to start.
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