Arkansas football: Feleipe Franks has quietly been among the best QBs in the SEC
We’ve heard about Mac Jones and Stetson Bennett. We know Kellen Mond and Kyle Trask.
But where is the love for Feleipe Franks?
The Arkansas quarterback might not be on a contending team, but he has quietly been one of the better signal-callers in the conference. He has so far led the Razorbacks to their first SEC victory since 2017 and almost notched another this past week against Auburn.
With star running back Rakeem Boyd sidelined with a lower leg injury the past 2 games, Franks has shined. He has thrown for 530 yards and 6 touchdowns in that span. His emergence has been a breath of fresh air for an Arkansas offense that struggled to find a starting quarterback last season.
His only “bad” game came in the season opener against a Georgia defense that is currently ranked 2nd in the country. Although it is a small sample size, he has the 5th-best quarterback rating in the conference since. It should also be noted that Missouri quarterback Connor Bazelak’s numbers received a huge boost for his performance against LSU last week, but Franks is likely the better of the two.
He ranks ahead of Mond, Bennett and Myles Brennan in efficiency. With 7 TDs overall, he’s tied with Mond for 5th in the SEC.
Can Franks keep it up when the Razorbacks take on Ole Miss and their prolific offense this week?
The Rebels lost to Alabama in a shootout this past week, 63-48. Arkansas’ defense has been good so far, but a Lane Kiffin team provides the chance for another barn burner. If that’s the case, look for Arkansas to again lean on Franks and the passing game.
In addition to Boyd, Arkansas has also been without its top receiver, Treylon Burks, for the past 2 weeks. It’s unclear whether either will be available to play against Ole Miss.
But that hasn’t deterred Franks.
He has found other targets, like De’Vion Warren, who has had a touchdown catch in each of the past 2 games. Junior Mike Woods has also stepped up.
Franks showed signs of becoming one of the better quarterbacks in the SEC when he was at Florida. He had the 7th-best QB rating in the conference as a sophomore. But we all know the story. His junior season was cut short because of an ankle injury, and Kyle Trask took off.
He was somewhat forgotten and forced to transfer to the least desirable program in the conference. It’s good to see Franks find success with another program — one that might have needed him as much as he needed it. He is starting to make us remember that he’s not too bad of a quarterback.
It’s still early this season but one thing is clear: Arkansas is not the same team it was last season.
It has Franks to thank for that.
I’m not elated by Fanks performance so far but he’s definitely light years ahead of what we had to endure for several seasons now. I have an issue with the way he approached Costello after the Mississippi State win but hopefully he continues to grow character wise cause that matters. I believe Hornsby is our future but would welcome Franks back if he believes he needs another year before the NFL cause we know this QB class is going to be loaded with big time talent.
Is there video of this interaction somewhere? I missed it and have yet to see it.
He walks up behind Costello at the end of the game and looks like he’s chirping in his ear. Of course Idk know what Franks was saying to Costello but it didn’t seem he was too receptive to whatever Felipe told him. It didn’t look like any meeting of the QBs one normally sees between foes.
I am elated. NO ints the last two games. No Boyd and with all due respect to Trelon Smith he had a gutsey performace again auburn, but he isn’t a true #1 back. No burks the last two games as well. also Knox has been very absent and dropped a key 2 point conversion.
We’ve seen what ho hum QBs can do over the last three years. Feleipe converts tough plays and makes plays. Feleipe should have us 2-1. but auburn and the officiating beat us.
Trelon Smith has shown he can be a #1 back IMO he kind of reminds me of Alabama’s Josh Jacobs. It’s only gonna get better for him when O-Line improves and jas shown he can catch the ball out of the backfield which is a must in a Briles offense.
You’re pretty hard to please!
I have been a Franks doubter. I have always thought that he was over-hyped and more of a risk than an asset. I think he is playing better now than he ever played at Florida. He isn’t making the same mistakes and looks much more efficient and reliable. Good for him. Reportedly, he is a great teammate and good guy, so good for him for playing up and improving.
All I’ll say is this: if I’m a defensive coordinator, there’s probably not a QB in the conference I’d rather face than Franks. Maybe JG if he’s having a bad stretch, but even then, Franks’ consistency in helping out the other team is admirable.
Franks was not “forced to transfer…” He chose to. His CMP ratio averaged over 70% for his last five games at Florida, including a Peach Bowl win over Michigan.
He was somewhat forgotten and forced to transfer to the least desirable program in the conference.
What kind of sentence is this? You’re not covering East Texas anymore, you’re covering the SEC. Need to step up your game.
Feleipe Franks injury at Florida eliminated him from playing quarterback in 2019 & Kyle Trask came in with a level-headed approach plus a good arm and became Florida’s QB. Franks saw the writing on the wall and transferred. Having said that…I believe he is playing with more maturity(I did not see the episode with Costello)…as the season continues we’ll all see if he has grown as a person.
You know what is happening at Missouri and Arkansas is truly amazing. The new coach has put pieces together and bringing very promising recruits For the first time in almost forever Arkansas has leadership and management. Their future is really bright.
We’ve had some terrible hires for HC but now I think we’re on the right track. These kids believe again they can win which is half the battle.
I’m just enjoying the fact that the Hogs have started the same QB for four games in a row (will be when Franks starts vs Ole Miss) and those games the QB has been productive.
Haven’t seen that is a long time.
Now if they would quit taking him out at the goal line…
This ^^^!! He moved the offense 80 yards or so to within the 10 and is on a roll. Why take him out with that confidence and momentum? Why change everything for the offensive unit that is clicking? Ride the hot hand and get 6 or at least get 3. I get it. It’s a package they have worked on, but when the O is moving the ball, stick with it. Especially with Franks having no turnovers the last 2 games against 6 TD’s.