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Franklin Selected Wuerffel Trophy Semifinalist
11/2/2023 11:55:00 AM | Football
ATLANTA – Duke graduate Ja'Mion Franklin is one of eight semifinalists for the 2023 Wuerffel Trophy, according to an announcement by the organization Thursday.
College Football's Premier Award for Community Service, and one of the most meaningful awards in collegiate sports, The Wuerffel Trophy is named after Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from the University of Florida who pivoted his success on the football field into a lifetime of service. The Wuerffel Trophy embodies Danny's commitment to being a humanitarian, while honoring student-athletes who serve others and make a positive impact on society.
"These semifinalists are an amazing group of student athletes," said Wuerffel. "They impact their colleges, local communities and beyond—an inspiring group of young men."
On the field this season, Franklin has helped the Blue Devils' defense hold opponents to just 15.0 points per game and 171.60 passing yards per outing.
Franklin graduated from Duke in May with a bachelor's degree in visual studies and a certificate in policy journalism and media studies. He is a two-time ACC Academic Honor Roll recipient, NFF Hampshire Honor society member and currently holds a 3.30 grade point average. In 45 career games (21 starts), he has compiled 58 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, five pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and two quarterback pressures.
Away from the classroom and field, Franklin has been giving back to his local communities for years. As a part of Duke's Student-Athlete Development program, Franklin meets with local second through fifth graders from a variety of different Durham Public Schools to help them meet reading initiative goals throughout the year.
In addition, Franklin has assisted with the Durham Rescue Mission and Urban Ministries of Durham, sorting through inventory to help the faith-based, non-profit organization provide food, support and shelter to those in need. The Ridgely, Md., native has worked closely with the Be the Match organization, collecting names of individuals willing to be added to the donor registry for bone marrow or cord blood transplant surgery.
In the spring, Franklin was voted by his teammates and coaches as one of four captains.
Finalists for the award will be announced on November 28th. The formal announcement of the 2023 recipient is scheduled to be made on December 8th during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN, and the presentation of the 2023 Wuerffel Trophy will take place February 17, 2024, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga.
Offensive lineman Dillan Gibbons of Florida State University was the 2022 recipient of the Wuerffel Trophy. Like Gibbons, the 2023 recipient will join Wuerffel in New York City to attend the Heisman Trophy ceremonies, including the press conference, televised announcement, and the Heisman Gala.
For more information, please visit wuerffeltrophy.org.
The 2023 Wuerffel Trophy Semifinalists (listed alphabetically):
JD Bertrand Notre Dame Senior Linebacker
Matthew Cindric California Senior Offensive Line
Blake Corum Michigan Senior Running Back
Ja'Mion Franklin Duke Graduate Defensive Tackle
Zach Frazier West Virginia Junior Center
Ladd McConkey Georgia Junior Wide Receiver
Will Shipley Clemson Junior Running Back
Derek Wingo Florida Junior Linebacker
#GoDuke
College Football's Premier Award for Community Service, and one of the most meaningful awards in collegiate sports, The Wuerffel Trophy is named after Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from the University of Florida who pivoted his success on the football field into a lifetime of service. The Wuerffel Trophy embodies Danny's commitment to being a humanitarian, while honoring student-athletes who serve others and make a positive impact on society.
"These semifinalists are an amazing group of student athletes," said Wuerffel. "They impact their colleges, local communities and beyond—an inspiring group of young men."
On the field this season, Franklin has helped the Blue Devils' defense hold opponents to just 15.0 points per game and 171.60 passing yards per outing.
Franklin graduated from Duke in May with a bachelor's degree in visual studies and a certificate in policy journalism and media studies. He is a two-time ACC Academic Honor Roll recipient, NFF Hampshire Honor society member and currently holds a 3.30 grade point average. In 45 career games (21 starts), he has compiled 58 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, five pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and two quarterback pressures.
Away from the classroom and field, Franklin has been giving back to his local communities for years. As a part of Duke's Student-Athlete Development program, Franklin meets with local second through fifth graders from a variety of different Durham Public Schools to help them meet reading initiative goals throughout the year.
In addition, Franklin has assisted with the Durham Rescue Mission and Urban Ministries of Durham, sorting through inventory to help the faith-based, non-profit organization provide food, support and shelter to those in need. The Ridgely, Md., native has worked closely with the Be the Match organization, collecting names of individuals willing to be added to the donor registry for bone marrow or cord blood transplant surgery.
In the spring, Franklin was voted by his teammates and coaches as one of four captains.
Finalists for the award will be announced on November 28th. The formal announcement of the 2023 recipient is scheduled to be made on December 8th during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN, and the presentation of the 2023 Wuerffel Trophy will take place February 17, 2024, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga.
Offensive lineman Dillan Gibbons of Florida State University was the 2022 recipient of the Wuerffel Trophy. Like Gibbons, the 2023 recipient will join Wuerffel in New York City to attend the Heisman Trophy ceremonies, including the press conference, televised announcement, and the Heisman Gala.
For more information, please visit wuerffeltrophy.org.
The 2023 Wuerffel Trophy Semifinalists (listed alphabetically):
JD Bertrand Notre Dame Senior Linebacker
Matthew Cindric California Senior Offensive Line
Blake Corum Michigan Senior Running Back
Ja'Mion Franklin Duke Graduate Defensive Tackle
Zach Frazier West Virginia Junior Center
Ladd McConkey Georgia Junior Wide Receiver
Will Shipley Clemson Junior Running Back
Derek Wingo Florida Junior Linebacker
#GoDuke
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