Feleipe Franks Bio
Feleipe Franks (born December 22, 1997) is an American professional football tight end for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). A former quarterback, he played his first three years of college football at the University of Florida and transferred to the University of Arkansas for his senior season. Franks joined the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2021 and has since developed into a versatile hybrid player at the professional level.
Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 240 pounds, Franks is a former baseball draft pick of the Boston Red Sox, a Division I college quarterback, and now a special teams and offensive contributor at tight end. His career path, which spans multiple conferences, position changes, and roster moves, has turned him into a respected journeyman within the Atlanta Falcons organization.
Early Life and Background
Feleipe Franks was born on December 22, 1997, in Crawfordville, Florida, a small community in the state’s panhandle region. He grew up in the area and attended Wakulla High School, where he quickly developed into one of the top quarterback prospects in the country. During his high school career, Franks passed for 6,867 yards and 81 touchdowns, numbers that established him as the most decorated signal-caller in Wakulla history.
Recruiting analysts regarded Franks as a four-star recruit, with the 247Sports Composite rating him as the fifth-highest pro-style quarterback and the 54th-highest overall prospect in the 2016 class. He originally committed to Louisiana State University on June 1, 2014, but flipped his commitment to the University of Florida on November 29, 2015, setting the stage for his college career in the Southeastern Conference.
In addition to his football prowess, Franks was a standout baseball player in high school. That dual-sport background later led to an unexpected professional baseball opportunity when the Boston Red Sox selected him in the 2019 MLB draft while he was still competing as Florida’s starting quarterback.
Path to American Football
Franks redshirted his first year at the University of Florida in 2016, spending the season learning the playbook and developing behind more experienced players. As a redshirt freshman in 2017, he won the starting quarterback job over Luke Del Rio and Notre Dame transfer Malik Zaire and started the season opener against Michigan. After a difficult first start, Franks rebounded the following week against Tennessee by throwing a 63-yard Hail Mary pass to Tyrie Cleveland as time expired, securing a 26–20 victory and his first collegiate win.
As a redshirt sophomore in 2018, Franks led a dramatic turnaround for the Florida Gators, throwing for 2,457 yards, 24 passing touchdowns, and seven rushing touchdowns while helping the team reach a 10–3 record and a Peach Bowl victory over Michigan. The 31 total touchdowns tied for third in the Southeastern Conference that year. His 2019 season was cut short when he suffered a broken ankle against Kentucky, and on December 1, 2019, he announced that he would leave the Florida program.
On January 20, 2020, Franks announced his transfer to the University of Arkansas. He was named one of four team captains and won the starting quarterback job, leading the Razorbacks in a 21–14 win over No. 16 Mississippi State on October 3, 2020. That victory ended a 20-game SEC losing streak and a 15-game losing streak against ranked opponents, providing a defining moment in his final college season.
Feleipe Franks Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
On May 3, 2021, Feleipe Franks signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent. He entered the depth chart as the third-string quarterback behind starter Matt Ryan and backup Josh Rosen. Franks made his NFL debut in Week 11 of the 2021 season during the Falcons’ final drive against the New England Patriots, though his first career pass was intercepted by safety Adrian Phillips in a 25–0 loss.
In June 2022, the Atlanta Falcons announced that Franks would begin taking repetitions at tight end as part of a plan to use him in a hybrid offensive role. The position change marked a major transition in his professional trajectory, capitalizing on his size and athleticism to create additional value beyond the quarterback position.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2023–2025)
On August 3, 2023, Franks was waived by the Atlanta Falcons and placed on injured reserve, ending his first stint with the team. He was released by the Boston Red Sox from his baseball contract on April 19, 2023, formally closing that chapter of his athletic career. On July 26, 2024, Franks signed with the Carolina Panthers, was waived on August 27, and spent the remainder of the 2024 season on the practice squad with brief stints on the active roster.
On March 20, 2025, Franks signed with the Atlanta Falcons, returning to the organization where he began his NFL journey. The reunion positioned him to continue his role as a tight end and special teams contributor in a familiar scheme under the Atlanta coaching staff.
Driving Style and Strengths
Franks is a 6-foot-6, 240-pound athlete whose frame allows him to function as a traditional in-line tight end while still retaining the throwing mechanics and football intelligence of a former quarterback. He uses his size effectively as a blocker in the run game and has shown reliable hands as a pass catcher in short-area routes. Coaches have praised his work ethic and football character, traits that helped him survive multiple practice squad moves throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most memorable moments of Franks’s career came on September 16, 2017, when he threw the game-winning 63-yard Hail Mary against Tennessee for his first collegiate victory. His performance against Mississippi State in 2020, which ended Arkansas’s 20-game SEC losing streak, stands as another signature achievement. The Atlanta Falcons’ decision to convert him to tight end in 2022 also represents a defining career milestone, extending his professional life in the NFL.
Feleipe Franks Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Feleipe Franks grew up in Crawfordville, Florida, surrounded by a family with a strong athletic heritage. His older brother, Jordan Franks, is a former NFL tight end, giving Feleipe a direct connection to professional football from an early age. Having a sibling who had navigated the path to the NFL likely influenced his decision to pursue football at the highest collegiate level.
Personal Life
Franks continues to reside in the United States, with his professional life centered around the Atlanta Falcons organization. Details about his marital status and children are not publicly confirmed in verified sources. He is widely regarded within the Atlanta Falcons locker room as a dedicated teammate whose multi-sport background and position flexibility have shaped his professional identity.
2025 Season Performance
Feleipe Franks re-signed with the Atlanta Falcons on March 20, 2025, returning to the franchise that originally signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2021. The 2025 campaign represents his second stint in Atlanta, where he is expected to serve as a depth tight end and special teams contributor. The reunion provides continuity within a roster that values his size, blocking ability, and familiarity with the offensive scheme.
Throughout the 2025 offseason, Franks has been listed as a tight end on the Atlanta Falcons depth chart, with coaches emphasizing his hybrid skill set. His experience as a former starting quarterback at two Southeastern Conference programs gives the Falcons an option for trick-play packages and jumbo formations when needed.
Looking ahead, Franks’s 2025 outlook centers on maintaining his role within the tight end rotation and contributing on special teams. His ability to remain on an NFL roster through multiple position changes, practice squad stints, and team transitions underscores the resilience that has defined his professional football journey.