Florida Gators head coach Jim McElwain announced that redshirt freshman Feleipe Franks will start at quarterback for the team's season opener against the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday.
Franks won the job over Notre Dame graduate transfer Malik Zaire and Luke Del Rio, who started six games for the Gators last season.
“There are no secrets in this business, we will start Feleipe (Franks),” McElwain said. “It was the whole body of work from spring on. He deserves it. He’s done a good job.”
The 6-foot-5, 227-pounder was the No. 5 pro-style quarterback in the 2016 recruiting class. He has a big arm and is mobile enough to make plays on the ground, giving the Gators a dual threat under center.
Quarterback play has been a big problem for Gators over the past several years, and Zaire was expected to win the job when he announced he was transferring to Florida this summer. However, he is still learning the playbook, and his arrival has apparently brought out the best in Franks.
"He's more confident. He's hard working now, more than he's ever been since the competition came in with Malik Zaire," left tackle Martez Ivey said. "He's just been working hard and he's just a whole different Feleipe Franks than last year.
"He's poised. He keeps his calm. He doesn't get rattled, not that I've seen."
Florida's game against Michigan is being held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. Kickoff time is set for 3:30 pm ET on ABC.
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