Florida football: Feleipe Franks decision could come in next days
In a manner of days, a former Florida football quarterback should make his decision on where to play next season.
There’s a demand for a former Florida football quarterback, but the question remains on where Feleipe Franks will play football next season.
There have been a couple of destinations discussed for Franks. Here’s a breakdown:
Kansas: Franks has a relationship with Jayhawks’ coach Les Miles. Miles originally recruited Franks out of high school while Miles was the head coach at LSU.
He has already visited Lawrence and could make an immediate impact for the Jayhawks, who graduated quarterback Carter Stanley.
The Jayhawks use a “run and gun” style of offense under new offensive coordinator Brent Dearmon. He was promoted to the role after KU head football coach Les Miles dismissed Les Koenning following a beat-down at the hands of Oklahoma.
Franks would still be in Power 5 football with the Jayhawks in the Big 12. He could also help engineer a complete turnaround as Kansas won just three games in Miles’ first season.
Kansas also has a lot of weapons for Franks, including running back Pooka Williams along with leading wide receiver Andrew Parchment — who had 831 yards and seven touchdowns with 65 catches last season.
Washington State: It was reported that Florida football head coach Dan Mullen actually suggested Franks look at Washington State because of Cougars’ coach Mike Leach.
However, that took a turn when Leach became the head coach for Mississippi State.
A source told the Spokesman-Review that Mullen recommended Franks take a deep look at Washington State so he could “get developed by Leach.”
Washington State would be in the market for a quarterback as starter Anthony Gordon along with backups Gage Gubrud and Trey Tinsley are all graduating in May. Leach has signed Jayden de Laura out of Hawaii, but there is no clear starter for the Cougars.
But, without Leach, Pullman is a distant thought.
Arkansas: The Razorbacks became a recent contender when Franks reportedly visited Fayetteville just a few days ago.
The Razorbacks recently hired Sam Pittman, the former associate head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs, as its head coach.
Pittman has been an offensive line coach at Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, North Carolina, Kansas and Missouri.
Franks seemed impressed with Pittman, his staff and the surroundings at Arkansas.
“Just how genuine everybody is,” Franks said in a brief interview with HawgSports before his flight out. “I think that’s something that’s really good and something you don’t get much of nowadays, but that was the best part.”
Franks (6-6, 238 pounds), who would be immediately eligible, is also considering Kansas and will announce his decision soon. In order to attend Arkansas, he will have to enroll in classes by Tuesday.
“I mean, I have to make one in like the next two days, so the next two days,” Franks said of his timeline to commit.
Presently, Arkansas has three scholarship quarterbacks on its roster — Jack Lindsey, John Stephen Jones and KJ Jefferson.
The Razorbacks have reportedly lost out on former Houston quarterback D’Eriq King — who plans to attend Miami, according to report.
Franks has been out of commission since an ankle injury against Kentucky in the third game of the 2019 season. Prior to that, he started for Florida football in 2018 and threw for 2,457 yards and 24 touchdowns with a 58.4% completion rate.
In the first three games of this season, Franks had 698 yards passing with five touchdowns and three interceptions.
His injury gave way for redshirt junior Kyle Trask to assume the quarterback duties. Trask led Florida football to a Capital One Orange Bowl victory over Virginia on Dec. 30 in Miami.
Franks would be eligible to play immediately next season for whomever he decides to play. He announced his departure from Florida football on Dec. 1.
The favorite is anyone’s guess, but I could definitely see him doing well at Kansas with Miles and the talented corps around him there.
Next. Another big name staying put for the Gators. dark
Franks would be instantly eligible and would have to enroll soon to participate in spring drills with whichever team he elected to play for.