UF quarterback
Franks draws high praise for confidence, game-winning pass
Feleipe Franks basks in the glory of his 63-yard touchdown pass this weekend.
GAINESVILLE — UF quarterback Feleipe Franks arrived to American History class a conquering hero.
On his way, some students congratulated the low-key redshirt freshman. As Franks reached his seat, a few awkward stares followed.
But once class began Monday, Franks was in for a surprise.
Professor Steve Noll was as giddy as everyone else over Franks’ game-winning 63-yard touchdown pass to beat Tennessee on the final play Saturday in the Swamp.
“We have this trophy in class. If you ask like a good question or something of that sort or have a good answer, then you get the trophy,” Franks said Monday. “He just gave me the trophy out of nowhere today to start the class and told me good throw.”
Overall, Franks turned in an average performance against the Vols, but his final pass to sophomore Tyrie Cleveland was an A+.
Franks also earned extra credit for maintaining his confidence after throwing an interception on the previous series to set up Ten- nessee’s tying field goal.
Bigger tests now lie ahead for Franks, beginning Saturday night at Kentucky.
Wildcats coach Mark Stoops, a longtime defensive assistant, and defensive coordinator Matt House will do their best to confuse Franks, who will be making his first start on the road.
“They do an outstanding job of disguising on defense … based on what they have shown against rookie quarterbacks over their time,” McElwain said.
Against Tennessee, McElwain said, Franks too often locked onto the primary receiver, rather than reading the defense and surveying his options.
In the end, everything turned out OK because of Franks’ ability to throw a football 65 to 70 yards. But McElwain is confident his quarterback will continue to learn the nuances of the position.
“Guys get it at different times,” McElwain said. “The good thing is he studies it. He sees it. He verbalizes it, which is really good. Some guys hide a little bit sometimes, like they’re afraid to say they messed it up.
“In his case, he owns up to it, and that’s the first step in anything you do.”
Franks already has come a long way.
Reserved and even a bit shy when he arrived in January of 2016, Franks has blossomed into a vocal leader.
“Now he’s talking, having fun, goofing around,” Cleveland said. “I feel like his confidence is very high right now. Being more mature as a football player and a person.”
But Franks’ future success will hinge on the development of those around him. Everyone on the Gators’ offense continues to learn from their mistakes, too.
The Gators settled for a field goal on their first drive after back-to-back penalties from the Tennessee 15-yard line, including a false start on guard Fred Johnson. Tailbacks Malik Davis and Lamical Perine each fumbled at the end of long runs. Tight end C’yontai Lewis tipped a pass from Franks that led to an interception.
Franks also found himself under duress too often because his running backs failed to pick up blitzes.
“Our deficiency on some things in the protecting
“I feel like his confidence is very high right now. Being more mature as a football player and a person.” UF WR Tyrie Cleveland on QB Feleipe Franks
from that position has got to drastically improve, no doubt about it,” McElwain said.
Through all the mistakes, including his own, Franks kept his cool.
The 19-year-old’s poise has been one of his key selling points as he emerged from a three-quarterback race with veterans Luke Del Rio and Malik Zaire.
“No. 1, he’s got confidence,” McElwain said of Franks. “He’s got confidence in himself, he’s got confidence in the guys around him. I think him growing up playing all the different sports and being the guy that had the ball on the mound, being the quarterback playing in championships I think that has a lot to do with it.”
McElwain is counting on Franks’ confidence to keep growing and the number of miscues to keep shrinking.
McElwain singled out six critical plays Franks needed to make against the Vols. While the UF coach does not expect perfection from a first-year starter, he does expect Franks to take steps forward each week.
“You know, he’s got to make three of those six next week,” McElwain said. “Then he’s got to make four of those six and then five of those six and then he’s got to be six-for-six. When you start to do that, you’re gonna have a pretty good deal going.”
For now, UF has its quarterback. Franks will need to be a quick study if the Gators are going to earn a trophy themselves this season.