Florida Football: 5 players who improved their stock in 2019 spring game

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 10: Kadarius Toney #4 of the Florida Gators crosses the goal line for a touchdown during the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 10: Kadarius Toney #4 of the Florida Gators crosses the goal line for a touchdown during the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 10: Feleipe Franks #13 of the Florida Gators celebrates after crossing the goal line for a touchdown during the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 10: Feleipe Franks #13 of the Florida Gators celebrates after crossing the goal line for a touchdown during the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

No story from this Florida Gator team should excite fans more than the total transformation of Feleipe Franks. Before the quarterback competition could even begin to form, Franks cemented his name as the clear frontrunner after a sharp, confident performance during the spring game.

Clearly, the Gator defense had been given directives to keep its schemes simple and basic during the exhibition; nevertheless, Franks should still be praised for his dominant play.

In only one half of play, Franks tied the record for passing touchdowns in the Orange and Blue game and fell a mere eight yards short of the passing yards record. Again, spring game records are nearly meaningless, but no one can argue with the fact that Franks was the clear leader on the field and completely in command of the offense.

He was accurate on down-field throws, he stood tall in the pocket when pressure presented itself and he made smart decision when scrambling.

“I think he knows where to go with the football now. He’s becoming a more complete quarterback,” said former Gator Great Chris Doering during the broadcast.

Franks pushed all the right buttons during the spring game and will hope to use the momentum to continue his amazing and unique journey toward becoming Florida’s first quarterback to start three consecutive opening games since Tim Tebow.