November 10, 2020- Coming into this season, many Arkansas fans were very excited to see what Feleipe Franks would bring to the table. Without a doubt, the 6'6" quarterback has brought stability to the position that has seen 8 starters since the 2017 season. However, I do not think that Arkansas fans expected to get these kind of numbers from Franks, nor Arkansas having a 3-3 record after going 4-20 over the last two seasons. What is even more impressive is how he stacks up against the, perceived, best quarterbacks in the SEC.
Mac Jones (Alabama)- 139/177 (78.5%), 2196 Passing Yds, 16 TDs, 2 Ints (6 games)
Matt Corral (Ole Miss)- 134/187 (71.66%), 1846 Passing Yds, 18 TDs, 9 Ints (__ games)
Kyle Trask (Florida)- 125/182 (68.6%), 1815 Passing Yds, 22 TDs, 3 Ints (5 games)
Kellen Mond (Texas A&M)- 117/182 (64.2%), 1468 Passing Yds, 16 TDs, 2 Ints (6 games)
Feleipe Franks- 123/183 (67.7%), 1428 Passing Yds, 14 TDs, 3 Ints (6 games)*
Franks is top 5 in the SEC in: passing yards (5th), completions (4th), passing touchdowns (4th), and interceptions (tied for 3rd). It has been a long time since Arkansas has had a QB that ranked in the top 5 in those stats. Now, one could argue that is because a quarterback has not been a starter long enough to be able to accumulate any stats, but in that statement there are truths.
The stat that was not included was the the number of sacks. Franks has been sacked an SEC co-leading 18 times. That is a lot of sacks. However, the balance can be found in the interception numbers. Franks only has three interceptions. Most Arkansas fans would take a sack over an interception any day of the week. In the past, Arkansas quarterbacks would just send a ball into double or even triple coverage without a single thought, which is one reason the team struggled.
Another skill that has started to show itself is his ability to run the football. So far in the season, Franks has rushed the football 72 times for just 174 yards.** The amount of yards is not the key for Arkansas, it is when Franks is running the football that is key. Franks has tucked the ball and ran on multiple 3rd downs to extend Arkansas' drives.
The best trait that Feleipe Franks brings to the Arkansas program is stability. Arguably the biggest hole in the Razorbacks ship was at the quarterback position. Since 2017, Arkansas started 8 quarterbacks after steady quarterback play for years. It seemed that Arkansas could not figure out the position. However, with the hiring of Sam Pittman and the transfer portal, Arkansas managed to land Felipe Franks from Florida. Since arriving on campus, he helped steady the ship for the Arkansas program, both inserting himself as a leader and being named team captain.
Arkansas might only have Franks for the 2020 season, but there is no doubt that he has been exactly what the program has needed.
Colby Harber
Check out the podcast below:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-undrafted-podcast/id1455016577
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2JETfDfM3x3HLi017TY4Tv?si=9kBqNEugR4GOZWvh5RgYCA
*https://www.secsports.com/statistics/football
**https://www.espn.com/collegefootball/player/stats/_/id/4034948/feleipe-franks