Bubba Franks To Enter NFL Draft

Jan. 6, 2000

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) – As expected, Miami Hurricanes tight end BubbaFranks will forgo his senior season and enter the NFL Draft.

Franks, a 6-foot-6, 260-pound blocker with good hands and speed, is regardedas a first-round pick. He caught 45 passes for 565 yards and five touchdownsduring the regular season. He added three receptions for 72 yards in Miami’s28-13 win over Georgia Tech in the Gator Bowl.

“I’m declaring,” Franks said. “It was a hard decision. It’s not easy whenyou’re leaving a program like this. I could have stayed and could have won anational championship. But I figured I’m ready.”

Franks said he reached his decision after speaking with his mother, coachButch Davis and three former Hurricanes who are playing in the NFL. Two of thethree former Miami players left school early, including Indianapolis Coltsrookie running back Edgerrin James.

Franks said James, his former roommate at Miami, had checked with the Colts’front office and the response was favorable.

“They said I should be somewhere in the first round,” Franks said.

But Franks said the biggest influence was his mother, Janice, who lives inMidland, Texas.

“My mom felt it was time for me to move on,” Franks said. “There’s nottoo much more I could have done.”

Franks, a three-time All-Big East selection, said he had not officiallynotified the NFL. The deadline for underclassmen to apply for the draft isMonday.