Florida Gators, position by position: Quarterbacks.

The Florida quarterback room looks identical to 2018. What does year two mean for this group?

What a difference a year makes. 

This time in 2018, Gator fans saw a starting quarterback that only threw one more touchdown (9) than interceptions (8). Now, they see a quarterback with a 24 touchdown and six interception season in the immediate rear view. 

Media and fans alike have named a variety of reasons for why the Crawfordville native was so much better in his redshirt-sophomore season, but coach Dan Mullen is at the top of everyone's list.

The Mullen-Franks fit is not hand-and-glove, but it certainly works. 

© Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The last four games of 2018 were by far Franks' best since he's been in Gainesville. Ironically, that excellent stretch came after perhaps his worst game ever in a gator uniform against Missouri, where he was benched in the second half for Kyle Trask. 

After that game, Franks seemed to finally buy in to a crucial aspect of Mullen's offense for the quarterback: legs. That four-game tear included four rushing touchdowns. He also had 74 rushing yards in the Peach Bowl against Michigan, including a 20-yard touchdown run before the end of the first half.

© Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Franks is the obvious leader of the QB room, the offense and the team. The third-year starter entering his second season under Mullen will be a rock for this team and a rock for week zero's game against Miami. The interesting part of the Florida quarterbacks, however, will not be Franks, but Emory Jones. 

Will Mullen play the second-year quarterback who was used sparingly last season in order to preserve his redshirt? The coach known for athletic signal callers is obviously not opposed to playing him in big moments. Jones played in two of UF's biggest games last year against Georgia and Michigan. 

© Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

An RPO package for the Franklin, Georgia, native is certainly possible for week zero. It would give the Gators a different look to throw at Miami's stout defense. .

As for Kyle Trask, he is the odd man out. The Manvel, Texas, native stepped in in place of Franks during the Missouri loss in 2018 and played well, considering the circumstances. He completed 55.6 percent of his passes for 126 yards and a touchdown. 

However, Trask does not have the arm talent of Franks or the athleticism of Jones. While perhaps more consistent at times, the ceiling for the third-year quarterback is significantly lower than the other two. 

© Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Gators' quarterback room has something it has not had for a decade: an obvious leader. Not only is Franks the unquestioned starter, but his confidence has grown so much over the past year that he is the vocal leader of that group as well as the entire offense. 

With a top group of receivers to throw to and a deep list of running backs to relieve the pressure, there is no reason for Franks and occasionally Emory Jones  to not have an excellent year under center.