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6-Foot-6, 230-Pound SEC Quarterback Lays HUGE Slobberknocker Hit As NFL Special Teams Star

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Feleipe Franks Special Teams
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Feleipe Franks is not a name that most college football fans would expect to be relevant in the NFL in the year of our Lord 2024. However, the former SEC signal-caller is balling out on special teams with the Carolina Panthers and contributed one of the best highlights from Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

The 6-foot-6 quarterback turned tight end turned coverage man laid the BOOM from the ‘bullet’ position during a kickoff in the second quarter.

Franks was ranked as a four-star prospect in the college football recruiting Class of 2016. He was considered to be the sixth-best player at his position behind guys like Shea Patterson, Jacob Eason and Dwayne Haskins, ahead of Jalen Hurts, Shane Buechele and Justin Herbert.

Although Franks received offers from Alabama, LSU, Texas, Georgia and Florida State, among 14 others, the Florida-native decided to stay home and committed to the Gators. His five-year college career was a rollercoaster. It began with a redshirt year in 2016.

From there, Franks earned the starting job over incumbent starter Luke Del Rio and Notre Dame transfer Malik Zaire. Florida went 4-7 in 2017 after a 3-1 start and fired Jim McElwain.

His redshirt sophomore season was a much greater success.

Dan Mullen took over and tapped Franks as his starter over Kyle Trask and Emory Jones. He threw for 2,457 yards and 24 touchdowns en route to a 10-3 season as Peach Bowl champions.

Unfortunately, a broken ankle ended Franks’ third season as the starter after just four games. Trask took over and won 11 games, which pushed his predecessor into the transfer portal. He ultimately landed at Arkansas for his fifth and final year of eligibility. The Razorbacks went 3-7 during the pandemic season.

Even though Franks could’ve returned for another year because of the blanket waiver issued to every athlete during the COVID season, he decided to pursue a future as a professional. The Boston Red Sox drafted him for a signing bonus of $40,000 as a 31st-round pick.

Feleipe Franks stuck with football!

The Atlanta Falcons later signed him as an undrafted free agent. He actually saw saw limited action in nine games during his rookie season. Unfortunately, his first-career pass attempt was intercepted.

Atlanta decided to move Franks to the tight end position in 2022. The Falcons used him in a hybrid, Taysom Hill-esque position but did not get him the ball often and let him go after the season.

Franks missed all of 2023 with an injury. Carolina scooped him up during the offseason. He was promoted to the active roster on September 7 and has played a big role on special teams.

The 6-foot-6, 228-pound quarterback is listed as a tight end on the roster but the Panthers need him most as a ‘bullet’ on the kickoff team. Franks has eight total tackles — five solo — so far in 2024, including this slobberknocker on Sunday!

Feleipe Franks’ football career is weird. One of the best high school quarterback prospects in the country is now laying lumber on special teams in the National Football League.