Franks seizes lead in quarterback race

GAINESVILLE — Florida coach Jim McElwain said it was too close to call.

Entering spring practices, McElwain estimated “a half-inch difference” existed between redshirt freshman Feleipe Franks and Kyle Trask.

The past six weeks the gap slowly grew in the Gators’ much-anticipated quarterback race, with Franks clearly pulling ahead of his fellow 19-year-old.

During Friday’s Orange and Blue Game, Franks further distanced himself from Trask and enters the offseason with the inside track to become the 10th starting quarterback since Tim Tebow in 2009.

Almost a year to the day he threw three interceptions on his first four passes, Franks’ second spring game opened much more smoothly.

Franks completed a 46-yard strike on the game’s fourth play, engineered the game’s first three scoring drives and had four completions of 15 yards or longer by halftime, including a 16-yard touchdown to star receiver Antonio Callaway.

Franks did face the Gators’ second-team defense. A year ago, Luke Del Rio did the same and looked like Johnny Unitas, completing 10-of-11 passes.

Even so, Franks was pinpoint on many of his throws and made confident decisions. He ended the first half 8-of-14 passing for 119 yards a touchdown and, most important, no interceptions.

Meanwhile, Trask ended the first half 2-of-8 passing for 11 yards while facing the first-team defense.

Trask opened the third quarter under center and moved the Gators methodically down the field. But on the ninth play of the series, Trask threw into triple coverage leading to an interception by sophomore linebacker Vosean Joseph.

Trask would remain on the field, though, this time with the first-team offense. He immediately completed passes of 15 yards to senior Brandon Powell and 20 to Callaway on a screen pass.

Franks watched from the sideline, having done enough.

The week began with McElwain admitting Monday the quarterback competition was “starting to sort itself out.”

Though UF’s third-year coach would not name a leader, Franks, the presumed front-runner, cleared up things with strong practices Monday and Wednesday.

Franks then opened Friday’s game completing his first three throws, including with a perfect toss along the sideline to sophomore receiver Josh Hammond, who caught the pass in stride. But Franks quickly reminded an announced crowd of 48,000 where he needs work.

With Hammond running free in the seam on the next play, Franks’ pass was high and several yards behind him. It was the kind of intermediate throw coaches hope Franks continues to improve upon with better accuracy and recognition of the defense he is facing.

The Gators’ next possession ended when Franks held the ball too long, leading to a four-yard sack by sophomore end Antonneous Clayton.

Franks’ was facing thirdand-nine at the time following a one-yard loss by tailback Mark Thompson. Like the team’s quarterback position, Gators’ offensive line entered the offseason with much to prove.

On Friday, the Gators managed just one run longer than 10 yards during the first half.

But entering the offseason, all eyes will be on Franks and the future at quarterback — the position that has held back the Gators since the Tebow days.

While Franks looked the part in the spring game, a lot can happen between now and the Sept. 2 seasonopener against Michigan in AT&T Stadium, home to the Dallas Cowboys.

Del Rio opened 2016 the starter, but injuries derailed his season. Del Rio hopes re-enter the quarterback competition in August, but he is coming off shoulder surgery and already had questionable arm strength.

Florida also reportedly is interested Notre Dame graduate transfer Malik Zaire, a clear indication McElwain and his staff are not sold completely on the quarterbacks on the current roster.