Troy Franklin Bio
Troy Franklin, born on February 6, 2003, is an American professional football wide receiver for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing around 182 pounds, he plays on the outside as a long, smooth pass catcher with strong hands. After a standout college career with the Oregon Ducks, Franklin entered the NFL in 2024 and was reunited in Denver with his former college quarterback, Bo Nix.
Early Life and Background
Troy Franklin was born and raised in East Palo Alto, California. He grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, where football is a year-round passion at the youth and high school levels. His athletic build and frame made him an early target for college recruiters who saw long-term potential at the wide receiver position.
Franklin attended Menlo-Atherton High School in nearby Atherton, California, where he developed into one of the more productive receivers in the region. During his high school career, he totaled 102 receptions for 1,790 receiving yards and 34 total touchdowns, establishing himself as a reliable deep threat and red-zone target. His play earned him a selection to the 2021 All-American Bowl, a showcase that highlights the top high school seniors in the country.
After weighing several college options, Franklin committed to the University of Oregon to play college football. The Ducks, known for their up-tempo offense and NFL-style passing game, offered a strong fit for his skill set and gave him a clear path to the next level.
Path to American Football
Franklin’s development into a top-flight wide receiver began in earnest at Oregon. He enrolled in 2021 and played in all 14 games as a true freshman, finishing the year with 18 receptions for 209 yards and two touchdowns. The experience gave him valuable reps against older competition and helped him adjust to the speed and complexity of the college game.
By his sophomore season in 2022, Franklin had grown into Oregon’s number one receiver and was named Second-team All-Pac-12. His role expanded again in 2023, when he set multiple single-season school records, including 1,383 receiving yards, 14 receiving touchdowns, and eight 100-yard receiving games. That year he was recognized as a First-team All-Pac-12 selection and earned Second-team All-American honors, cementing his status as one of the top pass catchers in college football.
Troy Franklin Career
Early Career (2021–2023)
Franklin’s college career started quickly at Oregon, where he appeared in all 14 games as a true freshman in 2021. He showed flashes of big-play ability with 18 catches for 209 yards and two scores, while adjusting to a starting-caliber role on the outside.
He returned in 2022 as the Ducks’ top receiver, earning Second-team All-Pac-12 recognition and laying the groundwork for a record-setting junior season. In 2023, Franklin set the Oregon record for career receiving touchdowns with 25, tied the school mark for most 100-yard receiving games with 11, and posted 30 consecutive games with a reception. He finished that year as a First-team All-Pac-12 pick and a Second-team All-American.
NFL Breakthrough (2024)
Franklin was selected by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, with the 102nd overall pick. The pick reunited him with his college quarterback, Bo Nix, who was the Broncos’ first round selection, giving Denver a familiar passing duo to build around.
His first career touchdown came in Week 6 against the Los Angeles Chargers, a moment that carried extra meaning because every player who touched the ball on the play was a former Oregon Duck. The snap was handled by second-year center Alex Forsyth, the throw came from Nix, and the catch was finished by Franklin, a fitting snapshot of the Broncos’ new Oregon flavor.
Denver Broncos Era (2024–Present)
Franklin joined the Broncos as part of a young receiving corps aimed at supporting Nix’s transition to the NFL. Working with a coaching staff that values speed and route precision, he has settled into a role as a vertical threat who can stretch the field. His chemistry with Nix, built over multiple seasons at Oregon, has been a key part of his early development in Denver.
Throughout his rookie season, Franklin has been used on a mix of deep shots, intermediate crossers, and red-zone targets, allowing him to show the full range of skills that made him a record-setter in college. As he continues to refine his release package and adjust to NFL cornerbacks, his role in the Broncos’ offense is expected to grow.
Driving Style and Strengths
Franklin is a long-striding receiver who wins most often down the field, where his 6-foot-2 frame, smooth acceleration, and strong hands make him a difficult matchup. He is at his best on vertical routes, go routes, and posts that allow him to attack the deep third of the field. In the intermediate passing game, his route tempo and ability to track the ball over his shoulder have translated well from Oregon’s system to the Broncos’ offense. The presence of Nix, a quarterback he already trusts, has helped him play fast and confidently in his first NFL season.
Notable Events and Milestones
Franklin’s most talked-about moment so far came on his first career touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024, a play that featured three former Oregon Ducks touching the ball in order. The score marked his first NFL catch for six and signaled his arrival in Denver’s passing attack. Earlier milestones include setting Oregon’s career record for receiving touchdowns with 25 and tying the school record for 100-yard receiving games with 11 during the 2023 season.
Troy Franklin Career Wins
As a young professional wide receiver, Troy Franklin’s win totals are still being built in the NFL, where he entered the league in 2024. His individual achievements are best measured through production and accolades rather than win totals, with his first career touchdown serving as an early career highlight.
College Highlights
During his three seasons at Oregon, Franklin established himself as one of the most productive receivers in program history. He set the school record for career receiving touchdowns with 25 and tied the mark for most 100-yard receiving games with 11, while also posting 30 consecutive games with a reception. His 2023 season alone featured 1,383 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns, numbers that placed him among the nation’s most productive pass catchers.
Other Performances
Beyond his record-setting 2023 campaign, Franklin was a steady contributor in 2022 as a Second-team All-Pac-12 selection and logged valuable experience as a true freshman in 2021. His 102 receptions for 1,790 yards and 34 touchdowns at Menlo-Atherton High School, paired with his 2021 All-American Bowl selection, rounded out a strong pre-college resume.
Troy Franklin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Troy Franklin grew up in East Palo Alto, California, in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area. Specific details about his parents and extended family are not widely documented in verified sources, and he is not known to come from a well-documented football family lineage.
Personal Life
Franklin keeps his personal life largely private, and he is not publicly known to be married. He has focused much of his early adult life on his football career, transitioning directly from the University of Oregon to the Denver Broncos after the 2024 NFL Draft.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Troy Franklin is positioned to take on a larger role in the Denver Broncos’ offense as he moves out of his rookie season. With a full offseason of NFL training under his belt and a full year of work with quarterback Bo Nix, he is expected to be a focal point of the passing game. The Broncos’ staff has indicated that his route tree and target share will expand, especially in the vertical passing game.
The 2025 season will be an important test of Franklin’s consistency against second-year cornerbacks who now have film on his tendencies. Building on his first career touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers, he will look to add a steady stream of explosive catches and red-zone targets. Continued growth in his release package and contested-catch rate will likely determine how quickly he cements himself as a long-term starter.
With Denver’s young core of Nix, running back Javonte Williams, and a developing offensive line, Franklin has a clear opportunity to emerge as one of the team’s most productive receivers. A strong 2025 campaign could put him in the conversation for a much larger second contract and establish him as a long-term building block for the franchise.
