FAYETTEVILLE — It has been more than a calendar year since former Florida quarterback Feleipe Franks last jogged onto a football field in a game.
Saturday when Arkansas will host No. 4 Georgia in its long-awaited season opener, will mark 378 days. His most recent game snap came Sept. 14, 2019 at Kentucky, and it is one he would like to forget.
Franks, one of the Razorbacks’ four team captains and the assumed starter at quarterback, suffered a season-ending injury against the Wildcats last fall and underwent surgery for a dislocated ankle that also contained a fracture. All of that, though, is in the past.
Franks wanted a change of scenery and a fresh start following the injury. He got that by transferring to Arkansas, and he is looking forward to officially getting his Razorbacks career underway this weekend.
“I mean, to be honest with you, it’s been awhile, but I’m ready. I’m a competitor,” Franks said Tuesday via Zoom. “I wouldn’t want it any other way. I wouldn’t say that I’m nervous. Competitors are usually built for the moment and when their name is called, it’s time for them to go out there and perform. It’s not time to think about anything else except executing what you’re asked to do.
“I’m anxious — I can say that — because it’s been awhile since I’ve been out on the field against live competition. But at the same time I’m ready and I’m confident in not only me but everybody on our team. I’m ready to get out there and play again.”
When Franks arrived at Arkansas and saw the brand new nameplate on his locker, he immediately thought of all of the “trials and tribulations” that ultimately led him to join the Razorbacks.
There have been plenty of ups and downs along the way.
“I’m grateful for every situation that I’ve been through in life,” he said. “To know the players on the team and the coaching staff and the support staff, how much work and effort they’ve put into helping us be successful, it’s just important for me to go out there and pay that off to not only the fans but the support staff, the other players, for my bother beside me that I go out there and grind with every day. That’s important to me.”
Arkansas running back Rakeem Boyd, who was also voted captain, has seen Franks be a player who holds those on offense accountable for mistakes.
He is encouraging, too, but Franks is not afraid to put someone in his place. However, that is far from the only way he leads.
“He’s a smart guy,” said Boyd, who admitted he is having trouble sleeping this week knowing game day is fast approaching. “He knows football very well. He leads the team. He knows how to do it.
“I think the kid dang near left the office later than the coaches (on Monday). He’s just an amazing dude.”
Linebacker Grant Morgan has seen the same things in Franks, including 1-on-1 meetings with his wide receivers on a regular basis to ensure they are on the same page.
He echoed Boyd’s remarks, too, about him being a vocal leader. He has been certain not to cross the line, though.
“I think that he's done a really good job with gaining everyone's respect that way, because if you jump down everyone's throat all the time, they're not going to be able to respect you,” said Morgan, who along with Jonathan Marshall is a team captain from the defense. “He's done a really good job just being able to gain the respect of everyone around him.”
That widespread respect resulted in Franks being voted captain . Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said it was an emotional moment for the graduate transfer. On Tuesday, Franks called it an honor to be selected by his teammates.
And he made sure to tell them just how grateful he was.
“I’m touched by it and it's awesome, an awesome opportunity for me and the other captains to lead the team and for us to be able to be those guys that help us when things get difficult,” Franks said. “I’m grateful for that and definitely touched by it.”