Via Last Word on College Football, by Brandon Eisenman
As the spring football season comes along very soon, the Florida Gators have a competitive competition for their quarterback position. With Luke Del Rio done due to injury, the Gators are looking forward. Sophomore Feliepe Franks and redshirt-freshman Kyle Trask will battle it out for the starting position. Now that Austin Appleby has left the school, the biggest spot on the roster is open for tryouts. Florida has always had a shaky quarterback competition, with the exception of Tim Tebow and Danny Wuerffel. In 2017, things will get more interesting as spring position battles open at The Swamp.
Florida Quarterback Situation: Franks or Trask?
Feliepe Franks
Franks is a sophomore dual-threat quarterback who has sat around and learned the offense at Florida and is very well prepared to be named the starter. Many Gators faithful have high praise for Franks as he reminds them of former gator Tim Tebow with his dual-threat mobility skills. For Florida to have a successful season, they will have to rally behind Franks should he be named the starter. He may start off not so great, but many believe he can thrive once he gets used to the game.
Kyle Trask
Trask is a newcomer that has not yet learned the Gators’ offense and will be on a short leash to learn the playcalls. The redshirt-freshman saw no game action in 2016. But sitting on the bench and learning the system for an entire season isn’t a bad thing at all. Trask can come in and perform very well should he win the starting job. Though he is a pro-style quarterback, he has the ability to strike the ball down the field and hit receivers in stride. Franks has the rushing edge over Trask, but both quarterbacks can compete heavily for the lead position.
Prediction
The prediction for 2017 is that Feliepe Franks will be named the starting quarterback for Florida before their September 2 opener. Both guys can come in and dominate, but Franks has one edge over Trask. That is the learning of the offense and playcalling. Franks was at Florida a short time before Trask enrolled, so he has the slight edge if he wins the job. Head Coach Jim McElwain may not name a starter until after fall camp, but fans can expect some tremendous work ethic from both competitors.
Why the Quarterback Position is Crucial to Florida
Florida has always valued their quarterbacks. Through and through, the Gators have had quality offensive leaders year in and year out. For these two players in Franks and Trask, the team will rally around them and encourage both guys to leave it all on the practice field. Even though the Gators have stable running backs and wide receivers, the quarterback position is their utmost position due to one thing: quarterbacks win games. Look at Tebow, Chris Leak, and other past quarterbacks. All of them led the Gators on game-winning drives and miraculous comebacks. Franks and Trask are the next ones up.
Brandon Harris to Florida?
Former LSU quarterback Brandon Harris has been granted his full release to transfer. Once his production dropped in early 2016, Harris was benched for junior Danny Etling. Now that he is no longer in Baton Rouge, Harris has the free will to visit any school in the country.. including Florida. Could the dual-threat end up in Gainesville? It’s a sure possibility. Should he choose to transfer to Florida, Harris would be in contention for a starting job in 2018 as he would have to sit out next season.
