Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Zamani Feelings
Football's Franklin, Mack, and Wright Earn Single-Digits
8.2.19 | Football
PHILADELPHIA - Following the first practice of camp on Friday morning, three Owls received their single-digit for the 2019 season. On the eve of the presentation, the Owls' players voted to determine who was single-digit worthy. LB Sam Franklin, WR Branden Mack, and WR Isaiah Wright all received this distinguished honor.
Temple football has a tradition of giving out the single-digit jerseys to the toughest members of the team. To be awarded one of those coveted numbers, one has to be Temple TUFF – to display the highest character and leadership on and off the field. All three of these players have earned single-digit jerseys for their hard work on and off the field last season, during spring practice, summer workouts, and what they will do during camp and throughout the 2019 season.
Franklin, who played just about everywhere on defense in 2018, finished the season with 63 tackles, seven TFLs, three sacks, an interception, fumble, and fumble recovery in 13 games played. The Swiss Army knife linebacker will wreak havoc in 2019 as he is a part of one of the best and most experienced linebacker corps in the conference. Franklin reflected on the honor his teammates felt he earned.
"It means a lot that this came from my teammates," said Franklin. "It shows that they appreciate my work ethic… they see me work as hard as I think I've been pushing myself."
Redshirt junior Mack, the team's leader in touchdown receptions a year ago, had a breakout season in 2018. Mack finished last season with 44 catches, 601 yards, and five touchdowns. He showed early in camp last season that he was going to be a go-to receiver for the Owls and he has solidified himself as a main target for the Owls heading into the 2019 season. This was the first group of single-digits under head coach Rod Carey.
"That's all love from Coach Carey," said Mack. "It's really cool to be his first group of single-digit guys and shows that he believes in us to lead this team in the right direction."
Wright, the reigning AAC Special Teams Player of the Year and Sporting News First team All-American, has shown throughout his career that he is one of the most dynamic and versatile players in college football. Wright is one of the most dangerous return specialists in the country and his preseason All-America honors show the rest of the nation has taken notice. He is one of only two players to record three kick/punt return touchdowns in 2018 and shares the lead over the past two seasons with five total returns for scores. Wright also finished first in the AAC and second in the nation with 1,122 combined kick return yards in 2018.
"To be identified by my team as one of the hardest working guys out here, it's really a blessing considering how hard everyone out here works," said Wright. "It's a testament to all the work we put in over the years."
With three numbers given out on Friday, that means there are four highly coveted single-digits still to be given out before camp ends. OL Matt Hennessy also has a single-digit, but cannot wear it due to offensive line number restrictions. Single-digit players so far include: LB Shaun Bradley (5), LB Sam Franklin, OL Matt Hennessy, WR Branden Mack, LB Chapelle Russell (3), and WR Isaiah Wright. Players will be assigned numbers next week.
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Temple football has a tradition of giving out the single-digit jerseys to the toughest members of the team. To be awarded one of those coveted numbers, one has to be Temple TUFF – to display the highest character and leadership on and off the field. All three of these players have earned single-digit jerseys for their hard work on and off the field last season, during spring practice, summer workouts, and what they will do during camp and throughout the 2019 season.
Franklin, who played just about everywhere on defense in 2018, finished the season with 63 tackles, seven TFLs, three sacks, an interception, fumble, and fumble recovery in 13 games played. The Swiss Army knife linebacker will wreak havoc in 2019 as he is a part of one of the best and most experienced linebacker corps in the conference. Franklin reflected on the honor his teammates felt he earned.
"It means a lot that this came from my teammates," said Franklin. "It shows that they appreciate my work ethic… they see me work as hard as I think I've been pushing myself."
Redshirt junior Mack, the team's leader in touchdown receptions a year ago, had a breakout season in 2018. Mack finished last season with 44 catches, 601 yards, and five touchdowns. He showed early in camp last season that he was going to be a go-to receiver for the Owls and he has solidified himself as a main target for the Owls heading into the 2019 season. This was the first group of single-digits under head coach Rod Carey.
"That's all love from Coach Carey," said Mack. "It's really cool to be his first group of single-digit guys and shows that he believes in us to lead this team in the right direction."
Wright, the reigning AAC Special Teams Player of the Year and Sporting News First team All-American, has shown throughout his career that he is one of the most dynamic and versatile players in college football. Wright is one of the most dangerous return specialists in the country and his preseason All-America honors show the rest of the nation has taken notice. He is one of only two players to record three kick/punt return touchdowns in 2018 and shares the lead over the past two seasons with five total returns for scores. Wright also finished first in the AAC and second in the nation with 1,122 combined kick return yards in 2018.
"To be identified by my team as one of the hardest working guys out here, it's really a blessing considering how hard everyone out here works," said Wright. "It's a testament to all the work we put in over the years."
With three numbers given out on Friday, that means there are four highly coveted single-digits still to be given out before camp ends. OL Matt Hennessy also has a single-digit, but cannot wear it due to offensive line number restrictions. Single-digit players so far include: LB Shaun Bradley (5), LB Sam Franklin, OL Matt Hennessy, WR Branden Mack, LB Chapelle Russell (3), and WR Isaiah Wright. Players will be assigned numbers next week.
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