UF’s Franks growing into role as starting QB
GAINESVILLE — Each week, UF right tackle Jawaan Taylor notices a difference in Feleipe Franks.
Franks is a little more comfortable running the offense, a little more confident in the huddle, a little more capable as a starting quarterback.
“Feleipe has been growing ever since the first game till now,” Taylor said. “I feel like he’s going to get even better and better each week as the games go by. The way he practices and the hard work he puts in — he’s just going to keep growing.”
Following Luke Del Rio’s season-ending injury, Franks’ growth is as critical as ever to the success of the No. 21 Gators (3-1, 3-0 SEC).
Franks has flaws to iron out, but teammates are confident he will. Franks’ tendency to home in on his primary receiver on game days, for example, rarely is an issue Monday to Friday.
“He does it in practice fine, but you kind of get in the game and kind of just forget what you were taught a little bit,” sophomore receiver Josh Hammond said. “I think he’ll be fine, just keep repping that. I think he’ll finally get it together.”
Franks’ next chance will come Saturday in the Swamp against LSU — the college where the Crawfordville native originally committed out of Wakulla High School.
Coming off a stunning 24-21 home loss to Troy, the struggling Tigers (3-1, 0-1 SEC) will look to unnerve Franks. It will be imperative he improves his blitz recognition and gets rid of the football more consistently than he has.
“We got know where to go with the ball … and make sure we are not holding onto the ball for too long,” UF running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider said. “I’m sure he will tell you the same thing.”
Following last Saturday’s 38-24 win against Vanderbilt, Franks was the first to admit he has much to learn.
“I think the whole process is a learning process,” he said. “You can never know too much in the game of football.”
A week after he was benched for Del Rio at Kentucky, Franks took some positive steps coming off the bench against the Commodores.
Franks replaced the injured Del Rio during the second quarter and turned in his most efficient performance at UF. Franks finished 10-of-14 passing for 185 yards, posting a career-best 71.4 completion percentage and 182.4 passer rating. He did not take a sack for the first time in four games.
Franks did benefit from a big break that turned a possible interception into a UF touchdown. A diving 33-yard yard catch by sophomore Freddie Swain was thrown into coverage and deflected by a Vanderbilt defender. But Swain corralled the ball on the Commodores’ 2-yard line.
“Better lucky than McElwain said.
Franks welcomes a little luck and a little help from his friends. The 19-year-old knows he cannot the do the job alone.
“I think we have a great coaching staff and great players that keep me confident and keep me wanting to learn,” Franks said. “I think that’s what it’s all about. I think I can only go up from here. There’s going to be some bumpy roads, and that’s what I have the other players on the team for. not,”
“They’re all times.”
Like their quarterback, Franks’ teammates must keep growing, too.
A pair of first-year freshmen — receiver Kadarius Toney and tailback Malik Davis — are two of UF’s most-explosive playmakers. Sophomore Tyrie Cleveland is the team’s leading receiver, but will miss Saturday’s game with a highankle sprain. The team’s offensive line finally seems to be hitting stride.
But so much of UF’s season hinges on a young quarterback on the cusp of his fourth career start. Franks’ teammates are confident he will rise to the occasion.
“He’s my age, so a lot of pressure, but I think he handles it really well,” left guard Brett Heggie said. “I think his talent and his preparation, how hard he works, he’s going to be just fine.” there for me
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