Edge Acquire Former NFL, Missouri WR Will Franklin from Omaha
Published on March 20, 2012 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Bloomington Edge News Release
Bloomington, IL, 3/20/12 - The Bloomington Edge, presented by Heller Stores, have acquired wide receiver Will Franklin from the Omaha Beef for future considerations. Franklin, a 26 year old St. Louis native, has one catch this season for 25 yards and it was a touchdown.
Franklin was drafted in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. He played with the Chiefs that season in 13 games, making 7 receptions for 83 yards and had 3 first downs. He did not receive a touchdown pass. At the NFL Scouting Combine Franklin ran a 4.3, which was one of the fastest times recorded. It is one of the fastest by a receiver, if not the fastest.
Coach Kenton Carr has already put together a solid group of players with experience from many different leagues. Franklin will be a nice addition to that group. His time in the NFL will definitely be valuable to the team. "He is going to be outstanding once he adjusts to the indoor game," Coach Kenton Carr said of Franklin, "He has tremendous speed and is another big target to add to our wide receivers."
Aside from his time in the NFL Franklin also played for the University of Missouri for four seasons. He started all 13 games his senior year, catching 44 passes and scoring 4 touchdowns. He became the 11th Missouri player in history to catch 100 passes over his career there. He is fifth in school history with 138 receptions and he recorded 2,048 career receiving yards which ranks fourth.
During his junior season Franklin was one of the Big 12's most dangerous receiving threats and best play makers. He switched to the X-receiver spot, becoming the team's best deep threat. Unfortunately he suffered a torn labrum in his right shoulder forcing him to miss the last 2 games of the season. The injury prevented him from becoming only the 3rd player in team history to record 1,000 receiving yards in a season. In 11 games Franklin caught 48 passes for 829 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Franklin played 12 games his sophomore year and started 11. He finished fourth on the team with 40 catches for 413 yards and 2 touchdowns. A year earlier he was one of only two true freshmen on the team. That season Franklin played in 11 games making six catches for 174 yards and 1 touchdown. His 29.0 yards per catch was the best on the team that season. Missouri had nine passing plays that season that went for 40 or more yards. Franklin caught three of them. He impressed the team enough in camp to make them remove the redshirt before the season started.
Franklin has impressed throughout his career. In high school he was ranked the No. 40 national wide receiver prospect on Rivals.com and was ranked as the No. 8 overall prospect in Missouri by Rivals.com. His impressive resume and experience will be a great addition to the Edge. The team is already off to a great start and with their recent additions they should be able to get even better.
Indoor Football League Stories from March 20, 2012
- Edge Acquire Former NFL, Missouri WR Will Franklin from Omaha - Bloomington Edge
- Nebraska Danger Signs IFL Standouts - Nebraska Danger
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