Franklin not big on numbers

IRVING, Texas — Jerry Franklin might be the least publicized standout player on a national contending college football team the past two seasons.

The Arkansas linebacker is on the brink of leading the

Razorbacks in tackles for a fourth consecutive season, which is believed to be a first in school history. Franklin will go into tonight’s Cotton Bowl against Kansas State with 93 tackles.

A two-year defensive captain who already has his degree in recreation and sports management, Franklin hasn’t always been an eager interview subject on a team whose offense captures the bulk of the headlines.

“He has been a great player for us for four years,” Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino said. “I think we kind of take Jerry for granted all the time because he plays every snap, and I don’t think he has ever been injured, knock on wood.”

Indeed, Franklin’s durability has been one of the keys to Arkansas’ rise on the national scene. The Marion native is undoubtedly the team’s leader in overall snaps played the past four years as he racked up tackle totals of 87, 94 and 100 before this season.

Franklin was characteristically brief when asked about the relevance of leading the team in tackles four years in a row.

“It means a little bit to me, but I’d rather win the game instead,” he said.

Pressed on the issue, he said it may hold more significance for him once he is through playing.

“Leading the team in tackles four years will probably be a big deal once I look back on it,” Franklin said. “Like, ‘Man, I did that,’ so it will probably be a pretty big deal later.”

Franklin’s teammates and his position coach, Reggie Johnson, think it’s a big deal now.

“That’s special. He’s very durable, and I think he’s pretty much started every game except for one,” senior safety Tramain Thomas said.

“It’s a tough thing to do, especially when you look at those first couple of years he played two positions, mike and will [linebacker], and went back and forth sometimes in the same game,” Johnson said. “I think it speaks volumes about the type of person and player that Jerry has been for us.”

Franklin, 6-1, 245 pounds, needs seven tackles today to reach 100 for the second consecutive year, and his career total of 374 ranks third in school history behind Tony Bua (408) and Ken Hamlin (381).

“He is one of the smartest players on our team,” Petrino said. “He has been a player that has made plays that have determined outcomes of games.

“You really can’t say enough about Jerry.”