QB Feleipe Franks showcases running ability
GAINESVILLE — Feleipe Franks is Chauncey Gardner-Johnson’s quarterback.
That much was clear during Saturday’s spring game.
After Franks’ electrifying 60-yard touchdown run, the 6-foot, 207-pound GardnerJohnson rushed the end zone, hoisted the 6-foot-5, 238-pound Franks onto his back and gave him a piggyback ride to the sideline.
Following a 35-30 win by Franks’ Orange squad, Gardner-Johnson, the Gators’ star defensive back, then raced to the defense of his much-maligned teammate.
“That’s my quarterback,” Gardner-Johnson said. “He came here with me. A lot of people are always throwing negative thoughts and shade at him.”
Gardner-Johnson hopes Gator fans will lighten up and embrace Franks as their quarterback, too.
Franks could have the tools needed to win them over and run coach Dan Mullen’s spread offense.
Franks, who started eight games last season, also will have some competition to see who lines up under center Sept. 1 when Charleston Southern visits the Swamp to open next season.
Fellow redshirt sophomore Kyle Trask looked sharp in the passing game as an announced crowd of 53,015 looked on Saturday in the Swamp. A back-shoulder, 23-yard toss to Tyrie Cleveland to set up a touchdown was the highlight among several impressive throws by the 6-foot-5, 239-pound Trask.
“He’s very accurate. He’s very good at decision-making,” Ole Miss transfer receiver Van Jefferson said. “That battle’s going to keep going through fall camp and the season.”
Franks, though, could emerge as the more complete package to run Mullen’s scheme.
Arm strength has not been a question since Franks’ 63-yard game-winning touchdown against Tennessee. But his long touchdown run helped alleviate outside concerns whether he can handle the read-option running element of Mullen’s attack.
While Franks’ touchdown did not stir memories of Tim Tebow’s bruising running style, it gives Mullen something to work with.
“You don’t need to be a power runner. I need a willing runner,” Mullen said. “I think you got to see today a little bit of his athleticism when he gets out there he can go and do that.”
Franks does hold the school record for the longest run by a Gators’ QB — a 79-yard scamper last season against Texas A&M.
Middle linebacker David Reese said Franks is among the Gators’ best athletes.
“A guy that big, that strong, that fast, and with an arm like that he can make a lot of plays happen,” Reese said.
Franks’ ability to decipher a new playbook, make sound decisions and manage game situations will be key.
The real test will come when the games begin.
“He’s taking steps forward,” Mullen said. “He has football intelligence and he works at it. Now we’ve got to get him to learn how to manage the game.
“The management job means you do what it takes for us to win the game.”
Fair or not, Franks was face of last season’s 4-7 team.
Franks consistently held onto the ball and took sacks, locked into primary receivers and failed to see the middle of the field. The struggles led to an endless stream of vitriol from a frustrated fan base.
On Saturday, Franks had a smile of his face and his share of fun. Following a 3-yard scoring run, Franks even reverse-dunked the crossbar.
“My adrenaline was going and I didn’t know what to do so I just did that,” he said. “First thing that came to my mind.”
All of Franks’ decisions did not turn out so well.
Looking to involve some of the 170 former Gators at the game, Mullen drew up a play for Franks to lateral for quarterback Doug Johnson, who then would throw to receiver Travis McGriff.
Instead, Franks cut out the middleman and threw a 60-yard score.
“Feleipe just bypassed Doug to keep all the stats to himself,” Mullen joked.
Jefferson believes Franks is capable of posting some big numbers when it actually matters.
“He’s grown a lot,” Jefferson said. “Still has some work to do, but he’s going to get there. He’s going to be very good, I think.”