8/30/2017 football Edit

Franks named starting quarterback

Andrew Olson

Inside the Gators

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*Alley: Make no mistake about it, CJM didn't want to do this

* Impact Analysis: Scarlett, Wells suspended

* Scarlett, Wells suspended indefinitely

* Alley: Discuss the big suspension with Florida fans

* Opening week depth chart released

* Monday Notebook: Mum is the word on starting quarterback

* McElwain PC Blog: No quarterback named

* Take Five: Florida Football Camp Breakdown

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The Feleipe Franks era at Florida begins Saturday.

Gators head coach Jim McElwain announced Wednesday that the redshirt freshman from Wakulla High School (Crawfordville, Fla.) will be taking the first snap against Michigan in Dallas.

"The big thing is the whole body of work from spring on," McElwain said in his post-practice press conference. "He deserves it."

Franks, the No. 3 pro-style prospect and No. 57 overall recruit in his class, enrolled early in January 2016 and to take part in spring practice.

He did not play last season and redshirted.

This spring, Franks competed with fellow redshirt freshman Kyle Trask while redshirt junior Luke Del Rio recovered from shoulder surgery.

In this past spring’s Orange and Blue Debut, Franks was 8-of-14 passing for 119 yards a touchdown.

Franks emerged as the leader for the starting job at the end of spring practice, which was confirmed by McElwain. Del Rio’s healthy return in fall camp and the summer arrival of former Notre Dame quarterback Malik Zaire made it a three-man race.

Franks’ biggest attributes are his arm strength and height (6-5). He has also shown enough mobility to extend plays in the pocket. In his first game, Franks will be tasked with orchestrating Florida’s passing game while the team’s top receiver, junior Antonio Callaway, is out due to a suspension for reported misuse of academic funds.

Callaway and junior running back Jordan Scarlett are among 10 players currently suspended. Franks becomes the fourth Florida quarterback in as many years to start the opening game. Under McElwain, previous game-one starters were Treon Harris (2015) and Del Rio (2016).

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