Zaire Franklin Up for 2017 Senior CLASS Award/Lott Trophy

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[CuseLegacy]

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Syracuse senior linebacker Zaire Franklin is one of 30 candidates for the 2017 Senior CLASS Award in college football. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I FBS senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.

A two-time captain, Franklin is a dual major in finance and marketing management in Syracuse University's Martin J. Whitman School of Management. He was an All-ACC Academic Team selection in 2014 and has been named to the SU Athletic Director's Honor Roll (min. 3.0 GPA) three times and the Whitman School Dean's List twice.

Franklin is past member of the Syracuse Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and an active member of Syracuse University's chapter of Uplifting Athletes. Through his work with Uplifting Athletes, Franklin has helped the chapter raise more than $30,000 the past two years to assist those with rare diseases.

In addition, Franklin is a past president Syracuse's Krazy Kappa chapter of Omega Pi Phi. While serving in that role, he collaborated with leaders from Vera House and 100 Men of Syracuse to present the workshop "Real Men, Real Talk: Locker Room Edition" in the wake of President Trump's "locker room talk" comments last November. The open campus forum produced a healthy dialogue, focusing on localized strategies to combat America's rape culture and prevent violence against women.

Franklin has participated in numerous other community engagement initiatives through the 'Cuse Cares Community Service Program and his fraternity. Franklin is a frequent guest at local elementary schools. He has provided weekly math tutoring services to fourth- and fifth-graders, and recently handed out backpacks full of supplies to students at Van Duyn Elementary School in Syracuse.

On the field, Franklin is in his third season as Syracuse's starting middle linebacker. He leads all active Orange players in games started (32), tackles (259), tackles for loss (28), sacks (7) and forced fumbles (4). In 2016, Franklin was voted to the All-ACC Third Team after carding 101 tackles and finishing eighth in the conference in tackles per game (8.4). During the summer, he received 2017 preseason All-ACC honors from multiple media outlets and was named to the watch lists for the 2017 Lott IMPACT Trophy and 2018 Reese's Senior Bowl.

The list of Senior CLASS Award candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists later this season. Those 10 names will be placed on the ballot for nationwide voting by coaches, media and fans who will select one candidate who exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of classroom, character, community and competition. The winner will be announced during bowl season in early January.

CLASS is an acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School. The award program is designed exclusively for college seniors who are utilizing their complete athletic eligibility, remaining committed to their university and pursuing the many rewards a senior season can bring.

 

[rocklloyd]

I thought he was a 3-time captain.

 

[OrangePA]

Finance major - two/three time captain - great player.

He is a very special young man.

 

[OrangePA]

I thought he was a 3-time captain.

Aren't we going with game captains this year?

 

[CuseLegacy]

Aren't we going with game captains this year?

There are different ones each week.

 

[Ish88888]

Finance major - two/three time captain - great player.

He is a very special young man.

Yes, he is. Such an awesome representative for the school and program. Wow. Reminds me alot of lynch in terms of physical profile and tools, and what he did on and off the field for us. Hopefully, Zaire sticks in the league like Lynch is thus far. Love it.

 

[CuseLegacy]

I thought he was a 3-time captain.

 

[rocklloyd]

Thanks. I thought so.

 

[CuseLegacy]

Aren't we going with game captains this year?

 

[CuseLegacy]