How Troy Franklin climbed to the top of Oregon's depth chart

All preseason camp, Oregon’s crop of true freshman receivers — Troy Franklin, Dont’e Thornton and Isaiah Brevard — were the talk of the town.

“Troy Franklin and Dont’e Thornton today looked like veterans,” Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal said after the Ducks first fall practice. “Now, I’m going to calm that down a little bit so we don’t set them too high.

“But they looked like they know what they’re doing and they look like they belong. They’re making a lot of plays.”

Even with the positive chatter surrounding the frosh receivers, though, it was apparent that if any of them were going to earn a starting job this fall, it would take an outstanding performance during the month of August to earn it.

Well, it appears Franklin has done that and more.

On Monday, Oregon released its Week 1 organizational chart and fixed at the top of the “X” receiver spot is Franklin. The 6-2, 169-pound freshman from East Palo Alto, Calif., will be on the field for the first snap Saturday against Fresno State, and has beat out a host of talented players in order to get there.

“Troy has done a great job proving himself as a guy that we feel can win football games here,” Cristobal said Monday. “He’s practiced at a high level — got here in January and put in the right kind of investment in the weight room.

“His body, his development physically and mentally and he has made a lot of plays in practice.”

Earned, not given

Franklin frequently ran with the ones during camp, but it was always a bit difficult to tell if that was a product of his ability and understanding of the offense, or if some notable injuries to Oregon’s receiver corps paved his way to first-team reps.

It’s safe to say now that the former is true.

“I think the biggest thing for any freshman — especially at that position — is being able to understand what we’re doing and why,” Oregon offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead said Monday. “Being able to translate that on the field, and being able to go against our defense every day in spring and fall camp has given him a great opportunity.

“(Troy Franklin) has made a ton of explosive plays. He really has. Every opportunity that he’s being presented for this game is all well-earned.”

Oregon receivers coach Bryan McClendon has been consistent with his praise of Franklin’s football IQ throughout camp. Franklin’s physical gifts are as great as any receiver in the class of 2021, but it is the mental side of his game that has enabled him to thrive since he arrived in Eugene.

“He’s extremely, extremely smart,” McClendon said last week. “The guy has come in and picked it up really, really well.”

The question now is what happens further down the depth chart?

Status of Devon Williams

In order for Franklin to capture a starting spot, it meant somebody was going to tumble down the two-deep. At the moment, it appears that player is sophomore Devon Williams.

Undoubtedly one of the most talented and uniquely skilled players in Oregon’s receiver room, it seems as though it’s only a matter of time until Williams takes the Pac-12 by storm.

But he was dinged up at times last season, and was limited during camp for unspecified reasons.

“He’s working, and he’s still going to be a contributor,” Cristobal said. “I’m sure he’ll work his way to a more prominent role, and that’s what we expect of him.”

Williams provides a threat that the Ducks don’t quite have elsewhere in the receiver room. At 6-5, 207, he is a tremendous possession receiver and was explosive at times last season.

“Devon is an extremely talented guy,” McClendon said last week. “One way or another, he’s kind of gotten banged up and it’s taken some reps and everything else from him.

“It kind of stunts his development at certain times.

“But he’s been able to stack days and been healthy all camp, so it will be interesting to see how good he’ll play. We’re expecting some good things from him.”