Franklin garners Freshman All-American honors

Jarvion Franklin takes off for a TD against Miami.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan freshman running back Jarvion Franklin added another honor to the long list of accolades he has already accumulated this year when USA Today named him to their Freshman All-American Team. He is one of just 25 players nationally to earn the honor, the only player from a Mid-American Conference program, and one of just three players from outside a “Power 5” conference.

Franklin is the third straight Bronco to earn some form of Freshman All-America recognition, joining current teammate Corey Davis, who was honored as such by College Football News and the Football Writers Association of America last year.


Earlier this year the MAC named Franklin both its Freshman of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year, marking the first time in conference history a player won both awards in the same season. Franklin set the MAC single-season rushing record with 1,525 yards that also ranked ninth in the nation. He set the WMU single-season touchdown record with 25 and the single-season points record with 150 points. 

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The Tinley Park, Ill., native's 24 rushing touchdowns ranked second in the country and third in MAC history for a single-season. He earned four MAC West offensive Player of the Week awards on the season, the most of any player in the conference. Franklin was also named First Team All-MAC, the only freshman to earn such honors.

2014 USA Today Freshman All-America Team

OFFENSE

QB – J.T. Barrett, Ohio State

RB – Jarvion Franklin, Western Michigan

RB – Samaje Perine, Oklahoma

WR – Artavis Scott, Clemson

WR – Mike Dudek, Illinois

TE – Bucky Hodges, Virginia Tech

OL – Cam Robinson, Alabama

OL – Toa Lobendahn, USC

OL – Jacob Alsadek, Arizona

OL – Reginald Bain, Florida Atlantic

OL – Roderick Johnson, Florida State

DEFENSE

DL – Myles Garrett, Texas A&M

DL – Lowell Lotulelei, Utah

DL – Derek Barnett, Tennessee

DL – KeShun Freeman, Georgia Tech

LB – Ja'Whaun Bentley, Purdue

LB – Taylor Young, Baylor

LB – Darron Lee, Ohio State

CB – Adoree' Jackson, USC

CB – Parry Nickerson, Tulane

S – Quin Blanding, Virginia

S – Budda Baker, Washington

SPECIALISTS

K – Matthew McCrane, Kansas State

P – JK Scott, Alabama

RET – De'Mornay Pierson-El, Nebraska