William Franklin (American football)

William Franklin
No. 85
Position: Wide receiver
Personal information
Date of birth: October 13, 1985
Place of birth: St. Louis, Missouri
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight: 210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
College: Missouri
NFL draft: 2008 / Round: 4 / Pick: 105
Career history
*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • Honorable Mention All-Big 12 (2007)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 7
Receiving yards: 83
Touchdowns: 0
Stats at NFL.com

William Franklin (born October 13, 1985) is a former gridiron football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Missouri.

Franklin was also a member of the Detroit Lions, Oakland Raiders, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Las Vegas Locomotives, Omaha Beef and Bloomington Edge.

Early years

Franklin first attended Beaumont High School before transferring to and finishing his prep career at Vashon High School in St. Louis.

College career

In his freshman season, 2004, Franklin played in 11 games and caught six passes for 174 yards. Two of his best games came against Ball State where he caught two passes for 76 yards with a touchdown and Kansas when he caught two passes for 86 yards. In 2005 he played in 12 games and finished fourth on the team with 40 catches for 413 yards and two touchdowns. He posted a career high eight receptions and 116 yards against Arkansas State in Arrowhead Stadium. Fanklin played 11 games during his junior (2006), during which he recorded 48 receptions and 829 yards and six touchdowns. His 829 yards is the seventh highest all-time in Missouri football history. He missed the final two games of the season suffering from a shoulder injury. As a senior in 2007, Franklin started all 14 games. He caught for 49 passes for 709 yards and four touchdowns. He was named honorable mention All-Big 12.

Professional career

Pre-draft

Pre-draft measureables
Height Weight 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20 ss 3-cone Vert Broad BP Wonderlic
6–0⅜ * 209 * 4.37 * 1.43 * x 4.28 ** 7.16 ** 40½" ** 10'11" ** x 11 *
* represents NFL Combine **represents Missouri Pro Day"X" Denotes "No Data" or "Did Not Participate"

Kansas City Chiefs

Franklin was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 105th pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played in 13 games during his rookie season making seven catches and 83 receiving yards. He was waived by the Chiefs on April 13, 2009.[1]

Detroit Lions

Franklin was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions on April 14, 2009. The St. Louis Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts and Oakland Raiders also submitted claims.[2] He was waived on May 15, 2009.[3]

Oakland Raiders

Franklin was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Raiders on May 19, 2009. He was waived on August 31.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Franklin signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on March 15, 2010.

Personal

Franklin is the nephew of former NFL wide receiver Darnay Scott.

References

  1. "Chiefs sign Thomas, release Franklin". The Associated Press. April 13, 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
  2. Marvez, Alex (April 15, 2009). "Source: Lions claim ex-Chiefs WR off waivers". Fox Sports. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
  3. "Lions Cut WR; Sign UDFA Ryan Kees". Roar Report. May 15, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-15.

External links