Franks' big arm impresses Mullen
Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen discusses 2017 starting quarterback Feleipe Franks.
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Figuring out Florida’s quarterback woes is the top task of new head coach
Dan Mullen. The Gators starting signal caller in 2017,
Feleipe Franks, had his struggles last season. However, Mullen sees a unique gift in Franks that even NFL quarterbacks he has coached in the past do not possess.
"I mean, I watched a quarterback, I watched
Feleipe Franks throw the ball 75 yards against Tennessee,” Mullen said. “The last quarterback I saw that could throw the ball that far was
Cam Newton. The last quarterback I coached that had that arm talent was
Cam Newton.
Dak Prescott can't throw that hard, and he's one of the top quarterbacks. Alex Smith can't throw that hard. Neither of them can and they're some of the top quarterbacks in the NFL.”
Franks will certainly be in the quarterback battle for the Gators in 2018. Mullen was quick to point out every quarterback will begin the hunt for the starting job on an even playing field.
"To me, as far as positions go, every position is wide open," Mullen said. "I'm not big on pre-existing kind of judgment on where they are. I don't know what they were running on offense or defense last year. I'll watch the film to see some of their mobility, but I don't know what they were doing last year or what they were being coached to do or how they were taught.”
Mullen’s offensive scheme is different that his predecessor. Former head coach
Jim McElwain relied upon pocket passers, while Mullen has often asked his quarterbacks to run. Can Franks fit into Mullen’s system?
“I don't see why not. I've got to see once he gets on the field, but he's had a great attitude of what I look for in a quarterback, which is a guy that's going to compete and set a standard very high for everybody.”
Franks is entering his redshirt sophomore season in 2018. A year ago as a freshman, he only completed 55-percent of his passes and threw nine touchdowns to eight interceptions.