Florida quarterback Feleipe Franks started eight games for the Gators last season, throwing for more than 1,400 yards with nine touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Not bad, but the sophomore is doing considerably better this season, already throwing for more than 1,400 yards with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions. He’ll be among the players leading No. 9 Florida when it kicks off against No. 7 Georgia on Saturday (3:30 p.m., CBS; News 95.5 and AM-750 WSB) in Jacksonville.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart can put his finger on exactly why Franks is having a better season.
“First of all, he’s a year older, so let’s don’t jump off the rocket ship,” Smart said. “… When you play in this league, you get better. You have to, you have no choice.”
Smart also pointed out that the players around Franks, including three seniors and two juniors on the offensive, have also improved their play.
“When you play behind an offensive line full of sophomores, maybe some freshmen or juniors, now those guys, we do a sheet, one of those guys has 30 starts, another 40 starts, they’ve got guys who have started forever, so he’s playing behind a much more experienced offensive line that went through its trials and tribulations for a couple of years,” he said.
“So, those guys are a lot more experienced, but he is playing at a much higher level, and I think it’s because of his confidence. He’s got better wideouts. Dan (Mullen) has done a great job of developing him, he’s got a great offensive line, so with all those things considered, you get a lot better when you play.”
Nose guard Michael Barnett also referenced Franks’ increasing maturity as a key to his development.
“He has grown over the year,” Barnett said. “That’s a tribute to the coaches and honing into his system and…coming together as a team. He’s really good, a student of the game. He knows what he wants, he knows what his receivers can produce, so he’s trying to get the best look possible and put them in the best situation.”
