The Oregon Ducks will not be returning one of the greatest wide receivers in the program’s history, Troy Franklin, due to his declaration for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Thank you DUCK NATION 💚🙏🏽🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/aRAguQFy1T
— Troy franklin 👌🏽 (@TroooyyyyyyTroy) December 16, 2023
Franklin was a junior, and this decision means he will forego his senior season. Franklin joins Rimington award winning center Jackson Powers-Johnson and running back Bucky Irving as the third Oregon underclassmen to declare for the nfl draft.
The California native was a first-team all-Pac 12 selection as well as a FWAA, AP and Sporting news second-team All-American. Franklin was Heisman finalist Bo Nix’s favorite target, and he gained more yards than any player on the team besides Nix.
Troy Franklin played a large role in sending an Oregon Ducks’ quarterback to New York City as a Heisman Finalist
In head coach Dan Lanning’s second year, he managed to send his quarterback to New York City as a Heisman finalist and Franklin played a large part in that. Nix finished third in the Heisman race, behind LSU Tiger Jayden Daniels and Washington Husky Michael Penix Jr.
Franklin was Nix’s favorite target on the year along with fellow wide receiver Tez Johnson. Johnson had 75 receptions on the season, which was six shy of Franklin’s team-leading 81 receptions.
Franklin’s 81 receptions are just one of many Oregon records set by the future NFL player. This year, Franklin’s 1,382 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns on 81 receptions were all single-season Oregon Duck Records. His 14 touchdowns in 2023 were good for second in the nation, and they contributed to his all-time career touchdowns record of 25.
Franklin was sixth in the nation in receiving yards with over 100 yards more than future early first-round pick and Heisman finalist Marvin Harrison Jr. He was also second in the nation in receptions that are 30 yards or more with 15.
Oregon Ducks’ wide receiver Troy Franklin has NFL potential
Troy Franklin has an argument to be considered the greatest wide receiver in the history of Oregon football. An article from USA Today breaks down the numbers, and lists Franklin as the best. While it is subjective, a glance at the history of Oregon Wide Receivers shows there is not a consistent path to NFL success.
A lot of the best receivers in Ducks’ history have failed to carve out successful NFL careers, but Franklin has the opportunity to change that. Franklin is projected by many to be taken off the board in the first round, but he is by no means a shoe-in.
Franklin is competing with high-level receiver competition in the 2024 NFL Draft. Ohio State receivers Emeka Egbuka and Marvin Harrison jr., Washington Huskies’ wide receiver Rome Odunze, and LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers are just a few receivers that may get drafted before Franklin.
A scouting report from NFL Draft Buzz has him as the ninth-best receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft, but some projections have him as high as the fifth-best receiver. The report details what makes Franklin such a great NFL prospect.
“Although Franklin is more of a possession target than a field stretcher,” the report reads, “His competitive demeanor and ability to make plays after the catch make him a threat in the middle of the field.”
While it is impossible to tell how Franklin’s NFL career will pan out, it is safe to say he will go down in history as one of the best Oregon Duck receivers to step foot on the field in Autzen Stadium.
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