The award is presented annually to the top senior or fourth-year junior quarterback set to graduate with their class by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation.
BALTIMORE, Md. – The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award along with presenting sponsor A. O. Smith Corporation announced the candidates for the 2019 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list on Monday, as redshirt junior quarterback
Feleipe Franks was named among the group. The award is presented annually to the top senior or fourth-year junior quarterback set to graduate with their class by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation.
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Franks played in and started all 13 games at quarterback in 2018, throwing for 2,457 yards with 24 touchdowns and six interceptions on the season. He totaled 350 rushing yards on 110 carries and a team-high tying seven rushing touchdown, while leading the Gators to a 10-3 record and No. 6 final ranking in the USA Today Coaches' Poll.
Franks became the first Gators quarterback since John Brantley in 2010 to start every game throughout the entire season. He also finished the season with 31 touchdowns accounted for, tied with Chris Leak's 2004 season for the seventh-highest single-season total in school history. His seven rushing touchdowns left him one shy of tying Tim Tebow (2006) and Jimmy Fisher (1979) for the sixth-most rushing touchdowns by a Gators quarterback in a single season.
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Ranked No. 8 in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll, the Gators kick off the 2019 campaign Saturday in Orlando against Miami at Camping World Stadium.
