Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Franklin invited to "green room" for NFL Draft
4/26/2016 5:00:00 PM | Football
Former QB Goff extends invitation
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee offensive coordinator Tony Franklin will be up close and personal when California quarterback Jared Goff is selected in the 2016 NFL Draft in Chicago.
Goff is projected to be selected with either the first or second overall pick in this year's draft. When deciding who he wanted joining him in the "green room," Goff made sure Franklin - his college offensive coordinator and quarterback coach – was on the list.
"I definitely was not expecting to be asked," Franklin said. "It's not really something I have given much thought to doing through the years. I love watching the NFL Draft but when (Goff) sent me the text wanting me to be there I was both honored and excited."
Franklin recruited and signed Goff from his home state of California and served as his position coach and offensive coordinator for all three of his collegiate seasons at Cal. Goff broke 26 school records and threw for more than 1,200 yards in his career.
Despite his gaudy offensive numbers, Franklin said Goff's greatest attribute is humility.
"The thing I admire most about him is he never once has been selfish," Franklin said. "I've never seen one ounce of that. From the time he got with us he was the face of our program. He could have become a me guy or developed a big ego, but he never did. Every decision he ever made was in the best interest of the program.
"I also admire the quality of his father and mother. They never did anything but support us. Through the tough times, Jared never flinched in the pocket and they never flinched as parents."
Franklin said the text he received from Goff asking him to be included in this special night was a great honor.
"It feels great and this is quite an amazing journey to share this with someone who has reached the highest individual thing that could happen to you, being either the first or second pick in the NFL Draft," Franklin said.
Franklin said he has been fortunate to work with several outstanding and prolific quarterbacks through the years; however, Goff is one NFL scouts have determined has the intangibles to be a top-flight quarterback at the pro level.
"It feels good to have someone have this type of success in their career, but I've been fortunate through the years to have so many good quarterbacks that played well and broke records either in high school, NCAA and so forth," Franklin said. "The difference with Jared is he fits the criteria the NFL is looking for under center."
Goff is projected to be selected with either the first or second overall pick in this year's draft. When deciding who he wanted joining him in the "green room," Goff made sure Franklin - his college offensive coordinator and quarterback coach – was on the list.
"I definitely was not expecting to be asked," Franklin said. "It's not really something I have given much thought to doing through the years. I love watching the NFL Draft but when (Goff) sent me the text wanting me to be there I was both honored and excited."
Franklin recruited and signed Goff from his home state of California and served as his position coach and offensive coordinator for all three of his collegiate seasons at Cal. Goff broke 26 school records and threw for more than 1,200 yards in his career.
Despite his gaudy offensive numbers, Franklin said Goff's greatest attribute is humility.
"The thing I admire most about him is he never once has been selfish," Franklin said. "I've never seen one ounce of that. From the time he got with us he was the face of our program. He could have become a me guy or developed a big ego, but he never did. Every decision he ever made was in the best interest of the program.
"I also admire the quality of his father and mother. They never did anything but support us. Through the tough times, Jared never flinched in the pocket and they never flinched as parents."
Franklin said the text he received from Goff asking him to be included in this special night was a great honor.
"It feels great and this is quite an amazing journey to share this with someone who has reached the highest individual thing that could happen to you, being either the first or second pick in the NFL Draft," Franklin said.
Franklin said he has been fortunate to work with several outstanding and prolific quarterbacks through the years; however, Goff is one NFL scouts have determined has the intangibles to be a top-flight quarterback at the pro level.
"It feels good to have someone have this type of success in their career, but I've been fortunate through the years to have so many good quarterbacks that played well and broke records either in high school, NCAA and so forth," Franklin said. "The difference with Jared is he fits the criteria the NFL is looking for under center."
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