Daniel Lamont "Bubba" Franks (born January 6, 1978) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, earning first-team All-American honors in 1999. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the 2000 NFL draft with the 14th overall pick.
Early life
Bubba attended Big Spring High School in Big Spring, Texas and was an all state tight end there.
College career
Franks played collegiate football at the University of Miami, where he was known for his extraordinary one-handed receptions. He redshirted in 1996, but was very productive in the 1997, 1998, and 1999 seasons, setting the University of Miami record for most touchdowns by a tight end, with 12. He was also named to the All-Big East team twice and was named as an All-American in 1999.2
Franks waived his final year of eligibility to enter the 2000 NFL draft and was selected in the first round, with the 14th overall selection, by the Green Bay Packers.
Awards and honors
- Second-team All-Big East (1997)
- Sporting News Freshman All-American (1997)
- First-team All-Big East (1998–1999)
- First-team All-American (1999)
Professional career
Green Bay Packers
After a promising but unspectacular rookie season, he reached the Pro Bowl his second NFL year, during which he caught nine touchdown passes in the 2001 season.3 Franks went to three Pro Bowls altogether (2001, 2002, and 2003).456 He missed much of the 2005 season with knee and neck injuries.
On February 20, 2008, Franks was released by the Packers after an unproductive and injury-plagued 2007 season in which he was demoted to second string tight end behind Donald Lee.7
New York Jets
On March 16, 2008, Franks agreed to terms with the New York Jets on a one-year deal.8 Franks was released on July 13, 2009.9
NFL statistics
| Year | Team | Games | Receptions | Yards | Yards per Reception | Longest Reception | Touchdowns | First Downs | Fumbles | Fumbles Lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | GB | 16 | 34 | 363 | 10.7 | 27 | 1 | 16 | 1 | 0 |
| 2001 | GB | 16 | 36 | 322 | 8.9 | 31 | 9 | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | GB | 16 | 54 | 442 | 8.2 | 20 | 7 | 28 | 0 | 0 |
| 2003 | GB | 16 | 30 | 241 | 8.0 | 24 | 4 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 | GB | 16 | 34 | 361 | 10.6 | 29 | 7 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | GB | 10 | 25 | 207 | 8.3 | 24 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | GB | 16 | 25 | 232 | 9.3 | 19 | 0 | 13 | 2 | 1 |
| 2007 | GB | 8 | 18 | 132 | 7.3 | 24 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | NYJ | 8 | 6 | 47 | 7.8 | 25 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 122 | 262 | 2,347 | 9.0 | 31 | 32 | 133 | 3 | 1 |
Personal
Has a wife, Raquel, son, Daniel II, and daughter, Sienna.
External links
- New York Jets bio
- Media related to Bubba Franks at Wikimedia Commons
References
"2000 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 19, 2023. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2000/draft.htm ↩
"1999 College Football Awards - Brief Article". Findarticles.com. Retrieved February 14, 2014. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_/ai_58360897 ↩
"Bubba Franks 2001 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved December 27, 2024. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FranBu00/gamelog/2001/ ↩
"2001 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved December 27, 2024. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2001/probowl.htm ↩
"2002 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved December 27, 2024. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2002/probowl.htm ↩
"2003 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved December 27, 2024. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2003/probowl.htm ↩
"Packers make DT Williams franchise player, release TE Bubba Franks". Oakland Press. Retrieved April 18, 2024 https://www.theoaklandpress.com/2008/02/21/packers-make-dt-williams-franchise-player-release-te-bubba-franks/ ↩
"Jets ink former Pro Bowler Franks to 1-year deal". ESPN.com. March 17, 2008. Retrieved March 18, 2024. https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3297633 ↩
"TE Bubba Franks Is Released". New York Jets Official Website. July 13, 2009. Archived from the original on July 17, 2009. Retrieved July 14, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090717214841/http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/articles/show/3063-te-bubba-franks-is-released ↩