Franks never doubted he should lead Gators
GAINESVILLE – Feleipe Franks said he never doubted he should be the Florida Gators’ starting quarterback, even when pretty much everyone else wondered.
When Franks finally learned Friday he would be the starter for this weekend’s season opener at home against Charleston Southern, it gave him a sense of both relief and validation.
“Just a lot of people out there who are doubting me, doubting our team,” Franks said Tuesday night. “Just overcoming some of that adversity is just a good thing.”
Franks realizes winning the starting job over fellow redshirt sophomore Kyle Trask is just the first step.
“It’s not over yet,” he said. “Just winning this spot, it’s not over.”
Franks now must reward coach Dan Mullen’s faith and begin to develop into the player many believed he would be when he signed with the Gators
“It’s not over yet. Just winning this spot, it’s not over.” UF QB Feleipe Franks
as one of the nation’s top quarterback recruits in 2016.
“I have a lot of ways to go growing as a player, growing as a quarterback,” Franks said. “But I think coach Mullen and [quarterbacks] coach [Brian] Johnson are doing a good job of moving that along a little quicker than what I was doing myself, so it’s going good. I just have to keep on continuing to grow.”
During preseason camp, teammates saw more maturity, consistency and leadership from Franks.
“Being vocal,” junior receiver Freddie Swain said is the big difference in Franks.
Franks, 20, said it was a matter of regaining his confidence after a rough 2017 season that ended with the Gators 4-7 and their quarterback clearly shaken.
“Just with confidence, building confidence back up just makes you more of a vocal person when you know what you’re doing,” Franks said.
Franks said he and the Gators’ offense now plan to show fans what they can do, beginning Saturday night.
Mullen’s up-tempo, spread offense is expected to be a big change from the plodding, pro-style attack of former coach Jim McElwain. But many wondered whether the strong-armed Franks, known as a pocket passer, had the skill set suited to run Mullen’s scheme.
“A lot of people don’t realize Feleipe is a really good athlete,” tailback Jordan Scarlett said. “He can make a lot of guys miss. He’s actually pretty fast.
“I feel coach Mullen is making the system work really well for him.”
At 6-foot-6 and beefed up to 240 pounds, Franks is proving to be a capable, physical runner.
“I think he’s done a great job with it,” offensive coordinator John Hevesy said. “To me, it’s almost to a point where he’s liking it too much, which is not bad. Still, process your information, go through your reads and take what they give to you.”
Franks also should benefit from better players around him.
Last season, Scarlett and top receiver Antonio Callaway were suspended, leading receiver Tyrie Cleveland was injured Sept. 30 against Vanderbilt and leading rusher Malik Davis suffered a torn ACL a month later against Georgia. Most of the season, the Gators’ offensive line struggled.
“He definitely has a lot more weapons this year, a lot more to choose from, from the receiving corps to the running backs,” Scarlett said. “There’s definitely a lot more guys out there that are talented. He won’t have a problem.”
Franks’ last game in the Swamp was nearly nine months ago. During a 38-23 loss to Florida State, he suffered three interceptions and five sacks.
The game now is a distant memory as Franks looks to turn the page and help the Gators turn back into a winner.
“That FSU one was a rough one, so it’s been a while,” he said. “Just ready to get back out there and, not prove myself, but just kind of go back out there and build confidence back up for the team. I’m not trying to prove anything to anybody. I don’t have anything to prove to anybody, it’s just going out there and build the confidence back up for the team so we can win.
“That’s what it’s all about: winning.”