Bullard senior, Marquez Franklin signed a national letter-of-intent to play football at Tyler Junior College next season. The senior made the ultimate sacrifice and played quarterback his senior season for the first time in his life nd earned second team all-district honors. Franklin is joined in the picture above by the Woods family and other family members as he signs his letter. Top right, Franklin pauses for a minute for a picture with his boys from the football and basketball teams. Franklin was signed to play as an athlete after playing six positions in his three years as a Panthers. BULLARD – After three seasons of varsity football for the Bullard Panthers, Marquez Franklin played many different roles in the game plan for the Panthers football team.

This last week, Franklin completed a dream come true, signing a national letterof intent to play football for the Tyler Junior College Apaches.

(Banner Staff Photos by Doc Smith) As a sophomore, Franklin was used as a starting linebacker and running back, part-time.

Last season, Franklin reeked havoc from his linebacking spot and added wide receiver to his running back responsibilities.

As a junior, Franklin was limited to 27 carries for 62 yards on the ground and made six receptions for 38 yards. It was at linebacker his junior season, that he made a difference making 34 tackles and making two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.

This past season, Franklin admirably pulled off probably the hardest switch in positions, moving to quarterback for the first time in his life as a senior.

“The transition was pretty tough because you have to know not only your responsibility, but you learn to read situations at the line of scrimmage, and be a leader,” said Franklin. “The season was frustrating to me and the whole team this past season, but I will say we gave it our best shot, and we had a lot of players, not only me that made sacrifices this past season just to try and be as competitive as we could.”

This past season, Franklin took on the chore of stepping in to the quarterback position with no previous experience and managed to make the District 17-3A second team as signal-caller.

Franklin led the team in passing with 1,044 yards on 77-of-169 passing and added 379 yards on the ground in 145 carries, most of which we made running for survival.

The change did not come about easily for Franklin, but his position coach, Joe Brannen had nothing but praise for the senior’s efforts.

“I was very proud of the way that Marquez took on the position of quarterback this year,” said BHS offensive coordinator, Brannen. “It was his first time to ever play quarterback and he improved each week.”

The change did not go without Marquez sacrificing more time than the norm in preparation for the past pigskin season.

“Marquez spent extra time learning things about not only the quarterback position but also the opponents defense that we were playing the next week,“ Brannen added. “This is an exciting time for Marquez, moving on to play football for TJC and we are excited about his future.”

Franklin was recruited by Apaches head coach, Danny Palmer as an ‘athlete’.

Palmer said, “When we recruit an athlete like Marquez, the coaches know he has the ability to play in college; just exactly what position is his best fit is yet to be seen.”

Lon Morris had also made Franklin an offer for their inaugural season, but Franklin chose to go with the more established program, and really liked the TJC coaching staff.

“All the coaches I have talked to at TJC have been great, and the players I have talked to are excited about this next season, and I am glad that I will get to be a part of it.”

Franklin also praised the Wood family, his legal guardians for the past several years.

“That’s my family,” Franklin added about the Wood crew, “they came to me at a time I did not know which way to go and they stepped in and made me the person I am today, and I will forever be a member of the Wood family.”

About his TJC choice, Franklin was more than realistic.

“TJC has a great program and it will take some hard work to play there, but the coaches told me they would not have signed me if they did not think I would fit in,” concluded Franklin, “and maybe after two good years at TJC, I will be able to play a few more years while I get my diploma.”