Franklin to Try Hand at Receiver

RUSTON - Louisiana Tech head coach Jack Bicknell welcomed 98 players to campus on Sunday afternoon as veterans and newcomers reported in preparation for fall practice which begins Monday night. Bicknell said that although his summer was productive, he is ready to get started as the Sept. 2 opener at Nebraska looms near. "The summer was great," Bicknell said. "I got to play some golf, but even after a while, you get frustrated with your golf game. It`s time to get going. I`m anxious to see the guys we recruited on the field in action. I`m anxious to see what type of team we will have." One of the changes that Bicknell is anxious to see will be that of returnee Freddie Franklin, who will be moved to wide receiver during the first few weeks of fall workouts. Franklin was one of the Bulldogs top running backs his first two years, rushing for 448 yards and four touchdowns last year, including a career-high 120 yards and one touchdown in a 40-28 win over Fresno State in the season finale. However, with the load of quality running backs Tech has in camp, Bicknell wants to see if Franklin can help the Bulldogs at the receiver slot. "We know what Freddie can do in the backfield," Bicknell said. "We could move him back three days before the opener against Nebraska and he would be fine. I think he can help us at wide receiver. I think of him in the same mold as (former Bulldog) John Simon." Bicknell said one of the reasons for the move is the health of sophomore Shane Womack, who could miss a significant amount of time at the beginning of the year due to injury. "Dr. (William) Bundrick is going to look at him (Sunday night) and we will know more after that," Bicknell said. The Tech coaching staff has already moved running backs Mark Dillard and Weldon Brown to the defensive secondary, and they feel comfortable trying Franklin at receiver because of the combined talents of a young Bulldog backfield. Sophomore Patrick Jackson, who is recovered from a knee injury that kept him out of most of spring practice, joins incoming true freshmen William Griffin, Myke Compton and Daniel Porter. Tech`s first practice of the fall is set for Monday night at 6:45 p.m.