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| Mizzou head football coach Gary Pinkel has done an excellent job of finding top talent to run his spread offense. Pinkel has a gut feeling that James Franklin will be the type of talented quarterback that can lead the Tigers to a great season. - Photo courtesy of Getty Images |
Much of Pinkel's success has hinged on his ability to recruit and develop highly successful, charimatic, and talented quarterbacks to play in his spread offense system.
Mizzou fans have watched the graceful running ability of Brad Smith, the pure grittiness of Chase Daniel, and sensational talent of Blaine Gabbert run the offense for Mizzou over the past several season.
This year, Pinkel is handing the reigns over to sophomore James Franklin.
Pinkel recently told the Kansas City Star that he has a feeling that Franklin will be able to continue what is now becoming a tradition of outstanding quarterback play for the Tigers.
“Honestly, I’ve always been a pretty good judge of people. It’s not like I don’t make mistakes. I can’t do a lot of things, but one thing I’m good at is judging people. A lot of it is a gut feeling.”Turning the offense over to a quarterback who has completed just 11 passes for 106 yards in his collegiate career can certainly be a risk for a team who many believe could finish near the top of the Big 12.
But Pinkel has conviction and feels that Franklin has the moxie and skill-set to lead Mizzou to success this season.
“You have to have great physical and mental toughness. You can talk about throwing the ball from here to St. Louis, but if you’re not a great competitor you will never be a great quarterback. He’s a tough kid. You can ID that stuff early.”Pinkel better hope that Franklin is tough because this season rests on the sophomore's legs and right arm.
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