Report: Oregon receiver Troy Franklin to opt out of Fiesta Bowl vs. Liberty

Star Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin has made a decision on whether to play in the team’s bowl game vs. Liberty. According to Matt Zenitz, he has opted out of the Fiesta Bowl.

Here was that report from Zenitz, who wrote on Twitter:

“Oregon star receiver Troy Franklin is set to opt out of the Ducks’ Fiesta Bowl matchup against Liberty, a source tells @247Sports. The early-round NFL prospect ranks second among P5 players with 14 TD catches and fourth with 1,383 receiving yards.”

Franklin put those digits up as just a junior in 2023, his third true season of college football, making him just now eligible for the NFL Draft. In his first season, Franklin nabbed 18 catches for 209 yards and two scores. Then, in 2023, he took his first big leap, jumping up to 61 receptions, 891 yards and nine touchdowns. Obviously, he smashed past all of those numbers again in 2023.

With his track record of immense production and exponential season-over-season growth, plus his standing as one of the draft’s youngest players, he’s an NFL scout’s dream. He sees no need to risk that against Liberty.

The Ducks and Bo Nix will be without their top receiving target as they take on the Flames.

More on the 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Michigan, with the first round on Thursday, April 25, the second and third rounds on Friday, April 26, and the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday, April 27.

Players will have the opportunity to solidify their draft stock at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from February 26 through March 4.

The three-day event will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility.

Last season, 69 players were granted special eligibility for the 2023 NFL Draft. 13 underclassmen who had completed their college degrees were also deemed eligible to be selected.

The deadline to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft is on January 15. NFL teams will receive a full list of eligible players in the class on January 19.