The 50 most important college players in Texas in 2016 — No. 27: SFA's John Franklin

[caption id="attachment_23541" align="alignright" width="300"]John-Franklin-Stephen-F-Austin-Football-Hero-Stud-FCS Courtesy SFA Athletics[/caption] The importance of a player is not always defined by their skill. The most important player on a team is not always the best player on a team. This list is designed to breakdown the 50 most important players in Texas college football for the 2016 season. It is not a ranking of the 50 best college football players in the state. Importance can be defined by position, need, skill or leadership. We’ll count down the list through the summer, all the way to No. 1.Previously — 28: Texas QB Shane Buechele // 29: Texas Tech RB Justin Stockton // 30: Baylor LB Taylor Young //  31: TCU RB Shaun Nixon // 32: Texas A&M WR Christian Kirk // 33: Houston WR Chance Allen // 34: UTSA QB Jared Johnson // 35: ACU LB Sam Denmark // 36: Houston Baptist RB Terrance Peters // 37: Rice DE Graysen Schantz // 38: UTEP DE Alvin Jones // 39: SMU RB Xavier Jones // 40: Sam Houston RB Corey Avery // 41: Prairie View A&M DE DeVohn Reed // 42: Texas State WR Demun Mercer // 43: UTEP S Devin Cockrell // 44: UNT DT Bryce English // 45: Texas OL Connor Williams // 46: Texas Tech DT Breiden Fehoko // 47: Houston DT B.J. Singleton // 48: Texas A&M DT Daylon Mack // 49: TCU S Denzel Johnson  // 50: Baylor S Chance WazNo. 27 – Stephen F. Austin defensive end John FranklinThe History One of the best pass rushers in the state suits up for SFA. Entering his junior season, John Franklin has already put up impressive numbers, established himself as a starter and earned all-conference accolades. Franklin was a three-year starter at Greenville High School, earning two all-district selections as a prep star. He also lettered in track and basketball. Franklin’s impact was immediate. He appeared in eight games as a true freshman, finishing with 11 tackles, including one behind the line of scrimmage. As a sophomore, Franklin was a second-team All-Southland Conference Selection and a HERO FCS Defensive Player of the Week selection on Oct. 21 following a dominant performance against Southeastern Louisiana. Franklin appeared in all 11 games for the Lumberjacks, racking up 32 tackles. He led SFA in tackles for loss (8.5) and sacks (6).More than half of his 32 total tackles were solo tackles. The Skillset Franklin is a first-off-the-bus all-star, standing at 6-foot-4, 278 pounds. His physical stature translates to the football field. He was big and strong enough to play as a true freshman. An offseason in the weight room and to work on his technique allowed Franklin to take a huge jump from his freshman to sophomore season. The expectations are that another year on that same path turns him into one of the top three defensive linemen in the Southland Conference. Franklin can line up at defensive end and defensive tackle. That versatility is valuable. It allows him to line up over guards in some pass-rushing situations. Franklin led the team in tackles for loss and sacks despite starting four games as a sophomore. He was raw coming out of high school, but his skillset is evolving as he’s growing into an upperclassman. The goal for Franklin is to become a three-down defensive end. The Impact Franklin was put in good positions his first two seasons. He wasn’t forced to play every down for the bulk of his college career. That’ll change as a junior, and opposing offenses will take note. Franklin’s ability to get after the passer is undeniable. He’s SFA’s best attacker of the quarterback from outside at defensive end or inside at defensive tackle. Few things disrupt an offense more than pressure from the defensive line. Franklin’s presence creates problems for offenses. A good pass rusher forces extra players stay in to block on passing downs and allows the defense to keep more defenders in pass coverage. Franklin should approach double-digits in sacks with more playing time as a junior.

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