Florida Football: Feleipe Franks is Gators’ secret star

Florida football has a secret weapon. Lurking under the radar, sophomore quarterback Feleipe Franks could be a superstar in the making.

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When the news broke that Malik Zaire was transferring to Florida it was immediately assumed that he would be handed the starting quarterback job. After all, why would he transfer anywhere to sit on the bench? Different media outlets have thrown around the phrase “quarterback controversy”, but they mostly site Luke Del Rio as Zaire’s primary competition.

They’re looking at the wrong guy.

A 4-star recruit out of Crawfordville, Fla., Feleipe Franks stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 214 pounds. He has the size and build of the ideal quarterback. While he lacks the mobility of someone like Zaire, he has the arm to make all the throws in the Gator offense. How good is an offensive weapon like Antonio Calloway if the ball doesn’t arrive in his hands?

Del Rio had a 56.7 percent completion rate last season. He threw eight touchdowns and eight interceptions. Zaire’s completion percentage sat at a woeful 47.8 with one touchdown and no picks. While Franks has yet to register a collegiate pass, the No. 5 is gaining steam in practice.

When the Gators began fall camp on August 3 it was Franks who took the first snap of practice. When asked about it later McElwain said that Franks “has done everything to earn that first snap today,” but he added, “it’s still a contest.”

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Whether or not Franks earns the starting nod out of the gate, there is little doubt that his upside is superior to both Zaire and Del Rio. The Gators need offense in the worst way. Inserting the young gunslinger sooner rather than later could save their season.