Peter Weiden Director of Operations | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Peter Weiden Director of Operations | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – University of Illinois wide receiver Zakhari Franklin has been named to the 2024 watch list for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, announced Wednesday by the Tyler (Texas) Area Chamber of Commerce and SPORTyler.
The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award recognizes the top offensive player in Division I football who also exhibits characteristics that define Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community, and tenacity. The nominee must meet one or more of the following criteria: played football at and graduated from a Texas high school and/or currently playing at a Texas D1 four-year college.
Recent winners of the award include Ollie Gordon II from Oklahoma State in 2023, Max Duggan from TCU in 2022, and Bailey Zappe from Western Kentucky in 2021.
Franklin transferred to Illinois in the summer of 2024 with one year of eligibility remaining. He enters the season as the NCAA's active career leader in receptions (266), receiving yards (3,386), and receiving touchdowns (38). In 2023 at Ole Miss, he played only four games as a senior but recorded four catches for 38 yards with one touchdown. During his tenure at UTSA from 2019-22, Franklin appeared in 46 career games for the Roadrunners and earned several accolades including a Phil Steele All-America honorable mention in 2022 and three-time All-Conference USA selection. He left UTSA holding program records for receptions, total receiving yards, receiving yards per game, 100-yard games, and receiving touchdowns. Franklin ranks 21st all-time in FBS history with 38 career receiving touchdowns.
As of August 21, other Illinois players on various watch lists include:
- Pat Bryant - Senior Bowl
- Seth Coleman - Senior Bowl
- J.C. Davis - Senior Bowl
- Kaden Feagin – Doak Walker
- Zakhari Franklin – Comeback Player of the Year Award
- Gabe Jacas - Senior Bowl
- Josh Kreutz – Polynesian Player of the Year Award
- Josh McCray – Doak Walker Award & Comeback Player of the Year Award
- Kenenna Odeluga – Wuerffel Trophy
- Dylan Rosiek – Butkus Award
- Cole Rusk – John Mackey Award
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