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SEC Football: Each team’s top Heisman Trophy candidate for 2019

By Jake Mitchell

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide warms up prior to the CFP National Championship against the Clemson Tigers presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide warms up prior to the CFP National Championship against the Clemson Tigers presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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GAINESVILLE, FL – NOVEMBER 03: Feleipe Franks #13 of the Florida Gators attempts a pass during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL – NOVEMBER 03: Feleipe Franks #13 of the Florida Gators attempts a pass during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

Florida: Feleipe Franks, QB

Feleipe Franks‘ career in Gainesville didn’t get off to the best of starts, but that is in the rearview mirror now. The arrival of new head coach Dan Mullen has reenergized the quarterback play in the swamp, and Franks will benefit greatly in 2019.

The improvement already displayed itself in year one of the pairing, and that is part of the reason that this season is so exciting. Franks only threw for 2,457 yards in 2018, but his touchdown-to-interception ratio of 24-6 was evidence of a smarter, calmer passer.

As Franks improves, so does his supporting cast. Jordan Scarlett is gone, but running back Lamical Perine has shown he’s capable of manning the run game. On the outisde, Van Jefferson and Tyree Cleveland are as good a receiving duo as a quarterback could ask for.

When Florida has been great, it has been on the arm of its quarterback. Mullen saw that firsthand, as the offensive coordinator for Tim Tebow. If he can come even remotely close to replicating that with Franks, it could be a special season in Gainesville.

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