Troy Franklin

Troy Franklin Bio

Troy Franklin (born February 6, 2003) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He plays the wide receiver position and was selected by the Broncos in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 102nd overall pick. Franklin previously played college football for the Oregon Ducks from 2021 to 2023, where he developed into one of the most productive receivers in program history before beginning his professional career.

Early Life and Background

Troy Franklin was born on February 6, 2003, in East Palo Alto, California, United States. He grew up in the Bay Area and attended Menlo-Atherton High School in Atherton, California. During his high school career, Franklin established himself as a dynamic playmaker, recording 102 receptions for 1,790 receiving yards and 34 total touchdowns. His exceptional performance at the high school level earned him recognition as one of the top receiver prospects in his class.

Franklin was selected to play in the prestigious 2021 All-American Bowl, a national high school all-star game featuring the best senior players in the country. Following his stellar high school career, he committed to play college football at the University of Oregon, choosing the Ducks over other programs that had offered him scholarships. His decision to attend Oregon would prove significant, as it positioned him to develop alongside future NFL quarterback Bo Nix.

Path to the NFL

Franklin arrived at the University of Oregon as a highly regarded recruit and immediately contributed as a true freshman during the 2021 season. He appeared in all 14 games that year, finishing with 18 receptions for 209 yards and two touchdowns. While his freshman numbers were modest, they demonstrated his ability to compete at the Power Five level and provided a foundation for his development.

Franklin returned to Oregon for his sophomore season in 2022 and took on the role of the team’s primary receiver. This increased responsibility allowed him to showcase his speed, route-running ability, and big-play potential. His performance earned him second-team All-Pac-12 honors that season, validating his emergence as one of the conference’s top receiving threats.

The 2023 season represented Franklin’s breakthrough campaign. He set multiple single-season records at Oregon, accumulating 1,383 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns while recording eight 100-yard receiving games. Over his three collegiate seasons, Franklin accumulated 25 career receiving touchdowns, tying him for the most 100-yard receiving games in program history with 11, and placing second for consecutive games with catches at 30. His dominant 2023 season earned him first-team All-Pac-12 honors and second-team All-American recognition, solidifying his status as an elite NFL prospect.

Troy Franklin Career

Rookie Season with Denver Broncos (2024)

Troy Franklin was selected by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 102nd overall pick. The selection reunited him with his former Oregon quarterback Bo Nix, whom the Broncos had chosen in the first round of the same draft. Franklin signed his rookie contract with the Broncos and immediately joined the team’s wide receiver rotation as he prepared to make the transition to professional football.

Franklin’s rookie season saw him work into the Broncos’ offensive rotation as a receiving target for Bo Nix. The connection between the former college teammates proved valuable, with Nix showing trust in his former Oregon target. Franklin’s professional career was still in its early stages as he adjusted to the speed and complexity of NFL defenses while contributing to the Broncos’ passing game.

2025 Season Outlook

Entering the 2025 season, Franklin continued his development with the Denver Broncos as he entered his second professional year. With an entire offseason to work within the Broncos’ offense and further develop his chemistry with Bo Nix, Franklin looked to build upon his rookie campaign. The Broncos’ coaching staff remained optimistic about his potential to become a significant contributor in their passing attack as they continued building their roster around their young quarterback.

Playing Style and Strengths

Troy Franklin is known for his exceptional speed and ability to stretch the field vertically. His track background contributes to his ability to create separation against defensive backs, particularly on deep routes and go patterns. Franklin demonstrates reliable hands and the capacity to make contested catches in traffic. His experience playing in Oregon’s offensive system prepared him to operate in various receiver alignments, including out of the slot and on the boundary. His speed-quickness combination makes him a threat after the catch, capable of turning short receptions into explosive plays.

Notable Events and Milestones

Franklin achieved his first career NFL touchdown in Week 6 of the 2024 season against the Los Angeles Chargers. The play held special significance as every player who touched the ball was a former Oregon Duck. The sequence featured second-year center Alex Forsyth snapping the ball, Bo Nix throwing the pass, and Franklin catching the touchdown. This milestone represented both Franklin’s personal breakthrough and highlighted the strong Oregon contingent that the Broncos had assembled on their roster.

Troy Franklin Career Statistics

Franklin compiled impressive statistics across his three seasons at Oregon before transitioning to the NFL. His collegiate career demonstrated consistent improvement, culminating in his record-breaking 2023 season that positioned him among the most productive receivers in program history.

College Highlights (Oregon 2021–2023)

Over three seasons at Oregon, Franklin established himself as one of the most prolific receivers in school history. His 25 career receiving touchdowns tied him for the most in program history, while his 1,383 receiving yards in 2023 represented a single-season record at the time. Franklin’s eight 100-yard receiving games in 2023 showcased his consistency and ability to perform at a high level week after week. His 30 consecutive games with at least one reception demonstrated his reliability and chemistry with various quarterbacks during his collegiate career. Franklin’s accumulation of honors, including second-team All-American and first-team All-Pac-12 recognition in 2023, reflected his status as one of the premier players at his position nationally.

NFL Regular Season Statistics

In his first two seasons with the Denver Broncos through 2025, Franklin recorded 93 receptions for 972 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns. His rookie season statistics reflected the typical adjustment period for a young receiver transitioning to the NFL, while his second season showed signs of increased comfort within the offensive system and growing chemistry with Bo Nix. The Broncos’ coaching staff continued to incorporate him into their plans as a key piece of their receiving corps moving forward.

Troy Franklin Personal Life

Troy Franklin’s connection to former Oregon quarterback Bo Nix extended beyond college, as the two were reunited when the Broncos drafted both players in the 2024 NFL Draft. Their pre-existing chemistry from three seasons playing together at Oregon provided a natural rapport that translated to the professional level. Franklin’s relationship with Nix was considered beneficial for his development as both players navigated their rookie seasons together and worked to establish themselves in the NFL.

Franklin graduated from the University of Oregon having exhausted his collegiate eligibility following the 2023 season. He left Oregon as one of the most decorated receivers in program history, with his record-setting performances and All-American honors positioning him well for his professional career. His journey from East Palo Alto to the NFL represented the culmination of years of dedication to his craft, from his productive high school career through his transformative college tenure at Oregon.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season marked Franklin’s second year with the Denver Broncos and represented an important step in his development as a professional receiver. With a full offseason of NFL training and an established relationship with Bo Nix, Franklin entered the season with expectations of increased production and a more prominent role within the offense. The Broncos’ coaching staff viewed him as a key component of their passing attack moving forward, particularly as Nix continued to develop as a starting quarterback in the league.

Franklin’s performance through the 2025 season reflected his growth as an NFL receiver. His statistics showed improvement over his rookie year, demonstrating his adaptation to professional competition and his increasing comfort within the Broncos’ offensive scheme. The continuity of working with the same quarterback and offensive system allowed Franklin to refine his route-running and build upon the chemistry that had been established during his rookie campaign.

The Broncos remained committed to developing their young core of players around Bo Nix, with Franklin representing an important piece of that equation. His speed and ability to stretch the field provided the offense with a vertical threat that complemented other receiving options on the roster. As the 2025 season progressed, Franklin continued to establish himself as a reliable target for Nix and a player the coaching staff could count on in crucial situations.