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Dan Mullen offers early impressions on Feleipe Franks ahead of Arkansas game
By Keith Farner
Published:
Florida will face a very familiar quarterback this week with former Gators QB Feleipe Franks, who is off to a solid start this season at Arkansas.
Franks has 14 touchdowns and just three interceptions for the Razorbacks, who are 3-3 and coming off a win over Tennessee. For coach Dan Mullen, this is what he expected for Franks when he left Florida for Arkansas.
Franks is completing 67 percent of his passes this season, and has thrown for 1,428 yards, which is fifth in the SEC.
“I think Feleipe’s a great quarterback,” Mullen said. “We had him for quite a long time, so you’re seeing what we see out of him. He’s a guy that has a high touchdown to interception ratio. Really strong arm, he’s a veteran player now, played in the league. So the the games and moments aren’t too much for him. I know he’s playing in a newer offense to learn, but when you’re an older veteran guy, you understand concepts, you understand coverages, you understand what’s going on out there. He’s picked it up really fast. I think he’s having a great year. But I wouldn’t have expected anything less than that from him.”
Last year, the 6-foot-6 Franks suffered a dislocated and fractured right ankle in a victory at Kentucky in September. Mullen said he’s happy for Franks, because he said the whole thing about his transfer came down to him being on the field this season.
Mullen said he and Franks both want to beat each other, because as competitors, that’s a motivating element.
“It’ll be a huge motivation for him, and his team to get his back and get the win,” Mullen said. “And for our guys to beat a friend.”
In terms of his legacy, Mullen said that Franks dealt with some challenges with the fan base at Florida, but also helped turnaround the program that led to a New Year’s Six bowl game.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
