GAINESVILLE, Fla. _ Florida coach Jim McElwain announced redshirt freshman Feleipe Franks will start at quarterback for the Gators during the season opener against Michigan.
The decision was not an easy one, McElwain said.
Franks, Notre Dame transfer Malik Zaire and veteran Luke Del Rio each made a strong push for the job during preseason practices, forcing coaches to delay an announcement until Wednesday.
The 6-foot-6, 219-pound Franks made a compelling case with his arm strength and size; the 6-foot, 225-pound Zaire relied on his mobility and leadership skills; and the 6-foot-1, 211-pound Del Rio delivered a sharp grasp of McElwain's offense and strong decision-making.
"The big thing is the whole body of work from spring on," McElwain said of the Franks decision. "He deserves it."
Franks will be the 10th starting quarterback for the Gators since Tim Tebow's final season, in 2009.
He will have to show he can handle the job and lift a Gators' offense ranked last in the SEC last season.
If the UF is unable to move the football effectively, execute on third down and score touchdowns in the red zone, McElwain will have to explore his options again.
Entering preseason practices, McElwain said all his quarterbacks had a chance to win the job. Each of responded to the opportunity and pushed the others each day.
Early on, McElwain called it a "true competition" unlike his first two seasons when it was clear what quarterback was best _ Will Grier in 2015 and Del Rio a season ago.
Franks ended spring practices the front-runner for the starting job, ahead of fellow redshirt freshman Kyle Trask.
When Zaire arrived in June as a graduate transfer from Notre Dame, most presumed it was his job to lose.
Del Rio all along was viewed as a longshot following offseason surgery to each shoulder and a shaky track record as UF's starter in 2016.
With Del Rio and later Austin Appleby at quarterback, the Gators scored just 21 touchdowns during 42 trips inside its opponent's 20-yard line last season, ranking last in the SEC.
Del Rio's season eventually ended due to injuries sustained in Week 3 against North Texas and aggravated once he returned and played three more games.
