Florida Football: 5 reasons Gators will be contenders in 2019

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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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 29: Feleipe Franks #13 of the Florida Gators looks to pass against the Michigan Wolverines in the first quarter during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /

2. The progression of Feleipe Franks

Going from Jim McElwain to Dan Mullen will work wonders for a young quarterback and Feleipe Franks found that out last year.

As a freshman under McElwain, he passed for just 1,438 yards and nine touchdowns with eight picks and a 55 percent completion rate. His progression was rapid in Mullen’s first year as he accounted for 2,457 yards and 24 touchdowns with just six interceptions. He also completed 58 percent of his passes and his passing yards per attempt rose by 1.3.

Franks is becoming one of the better, more reliable passers in the SEC and entering his junior year, he has the grasp of Mullen’s offense and will only improve now that he has some top weapons improving and an elite backfield behind him.

We’ve seen quarterback growth under Mullen’s control at Mississippi State but Franks took a major leap from 2017 to 2018 and his new head coach and staff was a big reason for that. Expect another jump in 2019.

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