90 Days till Kickoff: Baylor’s #90 TJ Franklin
As always, keep track of both the stats and roster countdowns in the Offseason Hub!
TJ Franklin is another excellent player in an already stout Baylor defensive line. Franklin is entering his senior year at Baylor but has another year of Covid eligibility if he elects to come back. Franklin is a communications major and made the Commissioner's Honor Roll in the fall of 2021. He is excited about this upcoming year, knowing how strong and deep the competition within the d-line will be.
2021 was Franklin’s best year at Baylor. He played in all 14 games with one start at Kansas State and earned Big 12 Honorable Mention DL at the season’s conclusion. He had 28 tackles, 4 sacks, 6 TFL, one forced fumble, and one blocked kick on the year. He totaled at least three tackles in five different games.
Memorable highlights include his blocked kick against TCU to help keep Baylor close, a forced fumble against BYU, and, saving the most photogenic play for last, when he piled up three Mountaineers and menacingly stood there reminding them of his physical dominance (as seen in the poster for this story).
Frankin started all seven games he played in the 2020 season. He compiled 23 tackles, 3 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks. In his first career start, Franklin amassed four tackles and a sack against Kansas (9/26). He also tied a career-high with five tackles and half of a sack against Oklahoma State (12/12).
In 2019 as a true freshman, Franklin played in 11 games. He collected 8 tackles, 1.5 TFL, and 1 sack. He had three tackles and his first-career sack in a blowout victory over Kansas on November 30th.
At Temple High School, just south of Waco, Franklin racked up 39 tackles, 11 TFL, 6 sacks, 11 QB hurries, and one PBU his senior year in 2019. He was rated three stars by 247 sports and was the No. 78 defensive end nationally and the No. 129 player in the state of Texas. Franklin chose Baylor over Houston and Louisiana.
