Why I cannot wait for the final chapter of Feleipe Franks in the SEC
To understand the whole Feleipe Franks experience, let me take you back to Week 0 of the 2019 season.
Facing a 20-17 deficit to Miami with just under 10 minutes left in the 4th quarter, Franks delivered a throw that would’ve made NFL scouts drool. It was a 46-yard dart that hit a streaking Josh Hammond perfectly in stride for a 65-yard gain. Three plays later, Franks called his own number on a shotgun keeper and split a pair of Miami defenders with a dive past the goal line for the go-ahead score.
As Franks celebrated on the Florida sideline, TV cameras caught him giving high-fives to the front row of fans … and then it appeared that Franks stopped and had some words for a Miami fan who appeared to be heckling him. It was a different reaction than 10 months earlier when Franks shushed the home crowd at The Swamp following a touchdown run against South Carolina, but it was a similar feel. Those were things you’d never see from fellow SEC veterans quarterbacks like Tua Tagovailoa or Jake Fromm.
So on Florida’s first play on the next possession, Franks dropped back to pass while preserving the 24-20 lead with 4 and a half minutes left. After a pump fake and a bit of backside pressure, he threw into what looked like a triangle of Miami defenders … and 0 Florida receivers. Intercepted. It was the type of throw you don’t make in the 1st quarter, much less in your own territory late in a game in which you’re preserving a 1-score lead.
The pass was, in every way, baffling. So baffling it was, that we got this all-time reaction from Steve Spurrier:
Steve Spurrier watching Feleipe Franks play Quarterback 😂 pic.twitter.com/VsR8B6yKPx
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) August 25, 2019
And that, Arkansas fans, is the Feleipe Franks experience that you just signed up for.
Don’t get it twisted. I’m excited for this and think it was a key move for Sam Pittman to get in Year 1. After the previous regime shuffled through quarterbacks like playing cards, Arkansas now has someone who won a New Year’s 6 Bowl as a full-time starter.
My excitement isn’t necessarily because I think Franks is going to rewrite the record books in his year in Fayetteville. It’s because of that aforementioned roller coaster that he always seems to provide.
That was at Florida, where Franks was surrounded by one of the sport’s best offensive minds (Dan Mullen), weapons galore and an elite defense. And yet still, he was an unpredictable roller coaster (the shushing incident was a week after Franks was benched in a blowout home loss to Mizzou).
With his surroundings at Arkansas — which could change a lot with February signing day and the inevitable transfer portal moves upcoming — Franks isn’t just a roller coaster. He’s Mentos in a Diet Coke bottle.
It’s something that makes a team with 1 SEC win in the past 3 years much more entertaining than it’s been in recent memory.
His highs are higher than the majority of people who play the position at the FBS level. It’s the NFL throw over the middle like he made against Georgia in the 2018 matchup. It’s running through the teeth of a defense to fuel a blowout win against Michigan in the Peach Bowl.
Florida takes the lead over Michigan after Feleipe Franks takes it to the house 🐊
(via @CBSSports) pic.twitter.com/oJPmRwcZcB
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) December 29, 2018
And Franks’ lows are also lower than the majority of people who play the position at the FBS level. It’s getting into spats with fans (home or visiting). It’s making a throw that would make a Pop Warner coach pull their hair out.
He’s talented. He’s sensitive. He’s exciting. He’s maddening.
Franks is to the SEC what Jameis Winston is to the NFL. That is, someone who even the neutral observer can sit down and watch for 3 hours, and experience a wide range of emotions. One minute, he’s a star who looks every bit like an all-world player. The next, he does something that makes you wonder how he got to this level of football.
Now obviously that’s not an air-tight comp. After all, Winston just became the first member of the 30-30 club (30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in a season) while Franks only threw 6 interceptions during his breakout 2018 campaign. His 24-6 TD-INT ratio was the best at Florida since Tim Tebow. If I had a nickel for every time I heard/read that stat before the 2019 season, I would have had a lucrative side hustle.
But in fitting Franks fashion, there’s always another side to the story.
How many times has Franks played against a Power 5 team? Including 2017, that number is 22 games. And in those 22 games, how many times did Franks complete 65% of his passes and throw for multiple touchdowns? Once. It was in 2018 against Vanderbilt. Against Power 5 competition, Franks has just as many games completing 50% or fewer passes than he does completing 65% or more passes (7).
Even during that breakout season, Franks was 7th in the SEC in passer rating and he was 9th in the SEC (No. 58 nationally) in yards per attempt. Efficiency is not his middle name.
Franks, like Winston, is the most extreme version of the saying “you take the good with the bad.” Even when his Saturday stat line suggests he was nothing more than a game manager, Franks has a way of avoiding that label because of the peaks and valleys that come with watching him. Arkansas wasn’t in any position to scoff at that.
At this point, it feels like we should know what to expect in 2020. Franks is going to make some throws that Arkansas fans haven’t seen since Ryan Mallett. Franks will probably also make some decisions that remind Arkansas fans of Cole Kelley (no offense). Will we know when either of those instances are coming? Probably not. That’s the Feleipe Franks experience.
But you know what? I’m here for it.
If there is more good than bad, I look forward to seeing Franks mature before our eyes. And for the sake of poor Arkansas fans who have been subjected to some putrid quarterback play, I hope there’s not more bad than good. But I look forward to all the entertainment that comes if that’s how it plays out.
Call it Franks’ SEC swan song, if you will. I’ll just call it appointment viewing.
Mentos and Coke provided.
Not easy to sum Franks up, and some would say not worth summing up. It’s tough for a coaching staff to predict who is going to make progress, who is going to make steady progress, and who is going to make progress without sliding backwards. You can also look at it from the decision making angle. Progress is a lot easier if the athlete makes the right decisions. Arkansas just said “We think Franks can perform adequately in our system”. Ok, I’m interested in seeing how they make him predictable and adequate.
I admit Franks fooled me for a year or two as I waited for him to get better. He didn’t get better and he’s not going to. Obviously absurd hot takes are Connor’s job but hopefully we stop wasting e-ink on this guy.
Actually, Franks improved every single year he played.
Yeah but he was still mediocre at his best. Trask is much more consistent and doesnt turn the ball over nearly as much. I strongly doubt hes going to have some break out season playing at Arkansas making people wonder why Florida let him go. With yalls talent, his numbers should have been better.
I was only arguing that it is pretty undeniable that he improved every year
Mediocre at best, not by a long shot. Very inconsistent but when he was good Feleipe, he was very good
Let me rephrase it for neckbeard gator fans – he never didn’t suck. Better, or is there an irrelevant nick to pick?
Depends on how you define “suck”. He did about as well in 2018 as AJ McCarron did in 2011 as a Sophomore when Bama won a natty. Franks QBR was 143 and AJs was 147…
Why are you trying to argue FF doesn’t suck? What is a matter with you?
Aw poor guy doesn’t have facts to back up his argument. Btw its “nit pick”. Congrats you just got smarter today.
He didn’t suck against Michigan or FSU or the second half of the USCjr game to name a few
I don’t think Franks will have as much impact as CSPittman will. Once he gets some linemen in there, and he will, things will get better fast. That kid from Georgia will be a good start.
Good luck on getting “the Georgia kid” even so would only be one rookie lineman. Teams are gonna blitz the crap out of him because he panics. He’s good for a play or two but will get rattled. Without a good supporting cast he is about to experience the realities of playing in SEC west. Good luck with that. I wish him well and hope he does good for Pittman and Ark.
Franks saw the writing on the wall. Florida isn’t close to being in position to play for the SEC. He wanted to play somewhere he could make a difference. Fayetteville is the perfect place for him. We don’t really know what Franks is capable of because his coaching, to this point, has been sub par.
You’re right, UF was not even close to the SECCG this year. A whole game away. And Dan Mullen is a terrible qb coach. It is known.
Actually a whole 7 pts away.
Nobody should be this easy to troll.
Funny (sad) thing is, Dhajerk isn’t trolling. He’s dead serious.
No he’s not. You need to take a break from the internet.
If you look at his track record on UF articles, you’d know he’s serious
Franks is not an SEC level qb. Trask is. I loved it when Franks played Mizzou. Hit him a few times early and he was a mess the rest of the game. Trask is a much better player. UF would have been curb-stomped at LSU if Franks was still qb.
Are you saying what you think is true or what you wish was true?
LOL Georgia fan doesn’t disappoint with another delusional and idiotic post. You can’t make this stuff up. Actually Georgia fan does make sheet up every day
I get it, you are a UGA fan, but your comment is ridiculous (shocker). By your logic, you are telling me that Franks leaves UF because they “aren’t close” to go play at Arkansas who is in a much worse situation? And his coaching was “sub par”, yet that same coach went to back-to-back NY6 bowls????
I thought he was joking…. :)
It sure was funny…anyway.
No he really believes that sheet
It’s funny for the rest of us but sad for him
Name one other school in the SEC where the QB coaching is better than Florida. Sub par my butt. Especially when just about every credible media source is preemptively tapping Florida to be the SEC East favorite for 2020.
Franks will be good addition to our Q/B s room. He will have more sec experience than Jones, Lindsey, and Jefferson combined. Highs or lows he will be very welcomed at the hill. Hopefully he and coach K. Briles will improve our offense quickly as it wont take much to be better than the last two seasons. Having a solid starter will be a huge improvement for us.
Franks will make mistakes and for all his height, he doesn’t see the field well. But he is a hugely talented quarterback and a very good get for Arkansas. His 4 to 1 TD to INT ratio is roughly twice as good as Jamie Newman’s at 2.2 to 1, the grad transfer quarterback Georgia fans are all excited about.
And instead of playing for one of the most talented teams, Franks will be moving to one of the least talented. And let’s not fail to mention that Franks ratio was 9 to 8 in 2017, his first season as a starter. He improved as a second year starter, so can Newman….
ARK has the talent, we didn’t have the coaching. Hopefully that has changed now.
Careful now, you wouldn’t wanna give Mullen credit for turning Franks into a serviceable QB. Might have to turn in your SDS Dawg card.
What the heck is “9 to 8”?
So Franks had the audacity to shush some UF “fans” who booed him the week before after bringing the team a come from behind victory. I don’t give a sh*t and don’t blame him. Likewise, with getting fired-up vs scUM after a TD. So what? That’s it as far as “off the field” issues. He didn’t rape someone or step on another player’s face with his cleats. He didn’t try to break another player’s ankle in a pile.
As far as the decision making and inconsistency – it’s part of the game. I’ll take the 24 TDs vs 6 Interceptions from my QB. While it is frustrating, he was doing the best he could for the team and he’s more frustrated about it than anyone. I applaud him and his effort and dedication.
Never seen the media come down so negatively on a player for essentially nothing. If Franks was still our QB at UF, I’d be supporting him as much as ever. Wishing Feleipe the best with Arkansas. I’m a fan.
Agree 100 percent
Agreed. Franks was a great Gator, leader, and gave it 100% every game. Couldn’t ask for more.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but I have to disagree w you fellas. This is the University of Florida and the leader of the team needs to set an example, not act like a fool when he gets mad. There was a reason the media and fans came down on him and if you couldn’t see that, you weren’t being honest w yourself or you weren’t holding him to the same standards as the great UF QBs that came before him.
I’ll admit he did try extremely hard to better himself and I hope he does well at Arkansas. He’s definitely had his share of ups and downs to deal with. Both, self inflicted and circumstantial. Tough kid.
So…IF he was such a great leader/QB…why has his career been so up-n-down while playing the QB position at Florida…with all that talent that the Sunshine State provides ? He is a very talented young man, but what’s between his ears sure messes-up his abilities. Way too much “ME” in him.
I dunno that the Gator Nation ever came down on a Freshman QB as hard as they did Franks. We dunno what Leak, Tebow, Grossman, etc would have done because nobody ever booed them. He’s not a ME guy at all. Always gave him teammates credit for everything. Don’t know where that rumor started. Also, the Mac teams were anything but talented and he won ten games with Mullen his first year under the system
Franks = king of the turds
mullet
and
Franks = current state of the UF program.
A bunch of delusional talk about mediocrity
Remember turds – unless you are the lead Dawg, the scenery never changes.
How’s the scenery behind South Carolina?
Why always with the name calling and insults?
It’s a learned experience. Probably called names as a kid.
You are gay in your mouth…the worst place to be gay.
“you are gay in the mouth…
I have never heard that combination of words before, that is weird.
It says a lot about you and nothing about me or anybody else you direct that garbble at.
Ah…did the troll finally get trolled? Go cry in the corner troll.
This article sums Franks up perfectly.
Totally agreed….lots of talent, but spotty career. And he’s going to Arky. Hopefully he escapes those SEC D-linemen coming at him, as it’s tough to complete many passes while running for your life.
Connor, you are a good writer.
With that being the case, can you please stop the incessant use of “don’t get it twisted”?
Every time I read that, I feel like I’m reading something written by a 12 year-old for their middle school paper.
Thanks in advance.
“Connor, you are a good writer.”
It’s at least worth pointing out that Winston is a criminal sociopath while Franks is by all accounts a stellar citizen.
Lol
No disrespect to Arkansas, but all you’re really gonna get outta Franks is a lot of trash talk with no performance to back it up! Shoulda looked elsewhere in the portal. They guy’s a joke!
I have a feeling it ends with a turnover.
Franks played in the SEC. Little Nancy Boy Newman has been playing in the ACC. Can’t wait to drill him a new one in Jax – if he’s still on the team by then.
Wow great point. You may really be on to something.
“Little Nancy Boy Newman” LOL dude is 6’3″ 230lbs. He’d rip your skinny arms off and beat you to death with them.
You think you’re the only one allowed to talk cr8p? Look at what you said above. Wake Forest, LOL.
And? FF was a fumble machine. It’s as safe assumption he’ll end his career with a turnover. It isn’t the same as me calling him a “Nancy boy”. FF may be a crappy football player but he’s a big dude. So is JN. What the heck is “cr8p”? Is that some kind of pastry?
I was just giving you a hard time because of what you said about Franks. I actually think Newman will do better at UGA than D’Eriq King at scUM. I think you got a good one.
I hope so. Lord knows we need an offensive boost.
I think Newman will definitely give you a boost offensively. Big strong dude. He did really well at Wake which isn’t an easy task. Good N.Carolina kid. We should definitely enjoy some cr8pes and cafe au lait next time we’re at the cocktail party. Bourbon makes it work.
Ha I’ll keep that in mind
Two thoughts. Tyler Wilson also made Mallett-esque throws. He didn’t have the cannon that Ryan has, but the dude could absolutely sling the ball around the field.
Also, After 2 seasons of only watching the “lowest of lows”, I’ll be happy to take a wildcard QB that can make NFL throws and also be frustrating at times.
Maybe a new coaching staff and environment is just what he needs to settle down with the “emotional outbursts”, I just don’t want him to lose his fire. Franks knows this is his last shot (maybe he gets 2 seasons if he’s granted a medical redshirt) to prove that he’s a NFL caliber QB. Hope he takes that to heart.
I feel a lot better with Franks than I would Newman. Franks has competed and beat good sec defences he knows what to expect from them. Newman is coming into a whole new conference and will be welcomed by the sec defenses with a lot of sacks and a lot of time spent on his back wondering what just happened.
1hogg…I agree that Feleipe Franks is definitely a step-up from Newman.
I am not a big supporter of Franks….BUT he has played in the SEC and knows the speed of the defensive backs in the SEC. Franks can provide some firepower for that horrible offense with his legs as well as with his arm. As long as he knows that this is probably his last shot at the NFL…maybe, just maybe he will settle down and make the throws that the Defenses give him. Newman…at this time is a box of ???
He will be nearly two years older than when he last played. Hopefully, there was a lot of mental growing up. The guy has a great arm and is very athletic. Sometimes a change of scenery helps. Arkansas does not have the distractions of Gainesville. He could get Arkansas to a bowl game and really help himself and his team.
Franks is good to great WHEN HE RUNS THE BALL. See the turnaround that happened at halftime in 2018 of the South Carolina game. SCAR dominates the 1st half, 2nd half Franks starts running the ball up the right side and Florida scores on every possession from there on out to win the game. Dominates his opponents in the last games of the season.
Now skip to 2019 when Florida replaced it’s line and without any question, had issues providing running lanes for it’s tailbacks all season long. Franks was then limited and couldn’t scramble and get his designed runs, and he suffered for it. If you give him an offensive line that he can run the ball behind, Franks can be good enough to get you to the SEC title game. It all depends on if he’s running the ball or if you’re expecting him to sit there and make judgement decisions on downfield passing. Being a statue in the pocket is just not his forte.
And don’t forget, the 2 games prior to that 2018 SCAR game were losses by Florida, to UGLY and to Misery. NEITHER of these games did Franks run the ball and the offense suffered for it. Look what his legs did for him against MU and Harbaugh’s #1 defense in the nation.
Well Frank’s had alot weapons to use at Florida plus a RB to hand off to. At Arkansas, not so much. That’s what makes the Hogs a tuff choice to transfer to. Look at Arkansas schedule next year. Gonna be a rough ride for any QB. Hopefully he can still run good.
You obviously haven’t been following Arkansas (understandably so)
Franks will have weapons. So. WRs Treylon Burks and Trey Knox could have gone anywhere in the country and have already made an impact. Not to mention Woods and Jackson. TE Hudson Henry was the #1 TE recruit in the country coming out of HS. You may remember his big brother Hunter. He’s having himself a nice career in the league. Coaches and analysts say Hudson is going to be better.
Finally, RB Rakeem Boyd is coming back for his Sr. year. We thought he was guaranteed to enter the draft. He’s among the best RB’s in the conference.
A lot of young talent behind the starters as well.
Main concern is OLine. Good thing we have Pittman who has time and time again produced incredible lines.
The failure of this program wasn’t about the Jimmy’s and the Joe’s. It was about the X’s and O’s (Coaching staff). We now have highly regarded coordinators in place and a solid staff altogether. Pittman for HC is an interesting choice, but I am coming around to it. He’s done nothing but impress the fans, has built an elite staff and has already made an impact on recruiting. Arkansas started Early Signing Day around 114. They’re now sitting at 45 with a projection to sign a few more blue chips on NSD.
Y’all had those last year minus Henry but did have O’Grady. Boyd is good but is injury prone. Boyd is about the only proven weapon, if and a big if he stays healthy. What did the Hogs do with those guys last year?
Just looked up Burks and Knox. Burks had 29 receptions and 0 TDs with almost 400 yards. Knox had 28 receptions with 3 TDs and little over 300 yards receiving. Frank’s will need better weapons than that.
Hard to get receptions and yards when coaching staff is playing musical chairs with the QB’s and none of them can get the ball to the WRs. Just saying… they’re talented. Just need a someone to get the ball to them.
I for one was never big believer in great wall of Georgia. They were good and very big but we could never seem to get yard when we needed. They were excellent pass blockers but under achieved in my opinion.
We also had a rookie O/C last calling plays that only had two years of experience at Smu under Morris. But I guess that don’t have anything to do with offensive player stats.
We just now have the coaches to make a difference……..Gona be good for Ark. This year. WPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1hogg…I tend to agree with you. Somehow coach Pittman will bring some old-fashioned coaching to Arkansas. It may not happen fast, but I really believe that(if given time) the Razorbacks will be a good fundamental football team….and that usually creates more Wins than Losses. Here’s wishing Sam Pittman Great Success at Arkansas.
All I remember about Frank’s was that as soon as he saw another jersey come close he panicked.