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Phil Steele lists Oregon's Troy Franklin among top-10 draft-eligible receivers

Jarrid Denneyby:Jarrid Denney08/15/23

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© [Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard] / USA TODAY NETWORK

Last season, Troy Franklin emerged as Oregon’s undisputed top receiver during a breakout sophomore campaign.

As he gears up for his third season in Eugene, Franklin is expected to be one of the top pass-catchers in all of college football in 2023. He’s also beginning to generate signficant buzz ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Phil Steele has released his list of the top-10 draft-eligible receiver in the nation. Steele listed Franklin at No. 4 and has tabbed him as the top receiver prospect in the Pac-12.

Last season, Franklin caught 61 passes for 891 yards and nine touchdowns. He tied Washington’s Jalen McMillan for the Pac-12 lead in touchdown receptions, and he ranked sixth in yards.

A 4-star prospect in the class of 2021, Franklin was the No. 41 prospect in the nation and the No. 5 receiver, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

During the offseason, Franklin worked to improve numerous aspects of his game. Near the top of that list was getting stronger, as he was listed at just 178 pounds last season.

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“Troy this offseason, I mean, if you can see him, I always refer back to the meeting room, because literally in the meeting room, Troy has taken a step,” Oregon receivers coach Junior Adams said. “I mean, you see him taking notes. I mean, you see him asking a lot of questions. You see him this offseason, I mean, he’ll send me text messages and videos of like, Hey, look at this guy ran this route or vice versa. He put some weight on a little bit. He’s moved a little bit better. It’s got a little more girth to him. He’s he’s been working hard.”

In addition to Franklin, the Ducks also return starting reeiever Kris Hutson from last year’s team, as well as standout tight end Terrance Ferguson.

During the offseason, the Ducks added Tez Johnson (Troy), Traeshon Holden (Alabama), and Gary Bryant Jr. (USC) via the transfer portal. They also landed 5-star wideout Jurrion Dickey, the No. 2 receiver in the nation, from the 2023 signing class.

Oregon has not had a receiver selected in the NFL Draft since 2019, when Dillon Mitchell went 239th overall to the Minnesota Vikings.

Phil Steele top-10 draft-eligible receivers

  1. Marvin Harrison Jr.Ohio State
  2. Emeka EgbukaOhio State
  3. Malik NabersLSU
  4. Troy FranklinOregon
  5. Rome OdunzeWashington
  6. Xavier WorthyTexas
  7. Jacob CowingArizona
  8. Mario WilliamsUSC
  9. Bru McCoyTennessee
  10. Tory HortonColorado State

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