GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Just three days away from the start to their 2017 season, head coach Jim McElwain has named Feleipe Franks the Gators starting quarterback.
Franks, a redshirt freshman from Wakulla beat out senior Luke Del Rio and graduate transfer from Notre Dame Malik Zaire for the starting job.
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During his press conference Wednesday, McElwain said he tabbed Franks because of "the whole body of work since the spring." He added that he does not think that Franks will be in awe of the atmosphere at AT&T Stadium in Dallas where Florida will take on 11th ranked Michigan on Saturday.
McElwain also said that the team was not surprised with the decision because of the distribution of reps at practice this week between the three starting quarterback candidates, but conceded that both Del Rio and Zaire could see playing time Saturday against the Wolverines.
Franks was a four-star recruit out of Crawfordville High School in Wakulla. As a senior, Franks threw for 35 touchdowns, leading his team to the class 5A state championship game.