Overshadowed most of his career by heralded teammates Chase Daniel, Martin Rucker, Chase Coffman and Jeremy Maclin, Franklin has caught the attention of professional teams with his team-first attitude, blazing speed and naturally soft hands. The nephew of former Cincinnati Bengals standout wide receiver Darnay Scott, Franklin credits Scott with inspiring him to pursue football. Franklin started 36 games during his career with the Tigers, seeing action as a slot receiver and at the “X” position. He placed his name in the school record books, as his 143 receptions and 2,125 yards gained rank fourth in Missouri annals. Franklin enrolled at Missouri in 2004, seeing action in eleven games at the “X” receiver position behind Brad Ekwerekwu. He managed just six catches, but they were good for 174 yards (29.0 avg) and a touchdown. He shifted to slot receiver in 2005, starting all but the Nebraska clash. He gained 413 yards on 40 receptions (10.3 avg) with two scores and rushed eight times for 17 yards (2.1 avg). The 2006 season saw Franklin take over at the “X” receiver position. He was well on his way to earning conference postseason honors, but he landed on his right shoulder making a first quarter dive at a pass vs. Iowa State, suffering a torn labrum that required surgery. The injury forced him to sit out the team’s final two games, finishing third on the squad with 48 catches for 829 yards (17.3 avg) and six touchdowns. As a senior, Franklin was named All-Big Twelve Conference honorable mention. He started all fourteen games at “X” receiver, coming up with a career-high 49 receptions for 709 yards (14.5 avg) and four touchdowns. In 48 games at Missouri, Franklin started 36 contests. He ranks fourth in school history with 143 catches for 2,125 yards (14.9 avg) and thirteen touchdowns. He rushed nine times for 9 yards and scored 82 points.

Franklin began his high school career at Beaumont High School, but transferred to Vashon High prior to his junior campaign, which had a better basketball program. On the football field, he earned All-State, All-Metro and All-League honors as a senior, as he was ranked 40th among the nation’s wide receiver prospects by Rivals.com, who ranked him as the eighth-best overall prospect in Missouri. That season, Franklin grabbed 37 passes for 907 yards and 17 touchdowns to help the squad claim the Class 4A district title. As a sophomore at Beaumont High, he had 367 yards receiving and nine touchdowns and added four interceptions on defense, as he was named All-League. A solid basketball player who lettered in that sport at both schools, he was given a nickname of “Helicopter” by his friends for his high-flying aerial antics on the court.

CAREER NOTES
Ranks fourth in school history with 2,125 yards receiving, topped by Justin Gage (2,704 yards, 1999-2002), Victor Bailey (2,144 yards, 1990-92) and Martin Rucker (2,175 yards, 2004-07)…His 143 receptions are surpassed by Martin Rucker (203), Justin Gage (200) and Kenny Holly (151, 1990-93)…His 829 yards gained receiving in 2006 rank tied with Joe Stewart (1976) for seventh on Missouri’s season-record list.

2007 SEASON
All-Big Twelve Conference honorable mention by the league’s coaches…Started all fourteen games at the “X” receiver position…Finished fourth on the team with a career-high 49 receptions for 709 yards (14.5 avg) and four touchdowns… Scored 26 points and returned one punt for no gain…Part of an aerial attack that averaged 314.1 yards per game.

2006 SEASON
All-Big Twelve Conference honorable mention by the Associated Press and the league’s coaches…Named the Tigers’ Receiver of the Year and Metro St. Louis Player of the Year… Started eleven games at “X” receiver…Finished third on the team with 48 receptions for 829 yards (17.3 avg) and six touchdowns., as five of those scores came on catches of 30 yards or longer…Ranked third in the Big Twelve and 27th nationally with an average of 75.4 yards per game receiving.

2005 SEASON
Took over slot (H) receiver duties, starting 11 games while coming off the bench vs. Nebraska…Ranked fourth on the team with 40 receptions for 413 yards (10.3 avg) and two touchdowns…Also carried eight times for 17 yards (2.1 avg).

2004 SEASON
Was one of only two true freshmen to play in 2004, and despite a limited amount of catches, he showed the potential to be a top-tier receiver for years to come…Played in all eleven games, and had six catches for 174 yards (29.0 avg) and a touchdown.

HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Vashon (St. Louis, Mo.) High School as a junior and senior, playing football for head coach Reginald Ferguson…Attended Beauford (St. Louis, Mo.) High as a freshman and sophomore…Earned All-State, All-Metro and All-League honors as a senior, as he was ranked 40th among the nation’s wide receiver prospects by Rivals.com, who ranked him as the eighth-best overall prospect in Missouri…That season, Franklin grabbed 37 passes for 907 yards and 17 touchdowns to help the squad claim the Class 4A district title…As a sophomore at Beaumont High, he had 367 yards receiving and nine touchdowns and also added four interceptions on defense, as he was named All-League…A solid basketball player who lettered in that sport at both schools, he was given a nickname of “Helicopter” by his friends for his high-flying aerial antics on the court.

PERSONAL
General Education major, with a minor in Sports Management…Nephew of former Cincinnati Bengals receiver, Darnay Scott…Son of William Franklin, Sr. and Tejauna Roach…Born 10/13/85…Resides in St. Louis, Missouri.

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