Oregon Ducks WR signee Troy Franklin draws comparison to Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith

Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith is the first wide receiver to win the Heisman Trophy since Michigan’s Desmond Howard in 1991.

But that doesn’t mean his on-field characteristics won’t be seen again for decades.

In fact, according to 247Sports national recruiting editor Brandon Huffman, Oregon Ducks signee and recent Eugene arrival Troy Franklin shares some similar characteristics.

On “Recruiting with Andrew Nemec” on 1080 The FAN, Huffman predicted Franklin will be the star of Oregon’s 2021 class and compared him to Smith.

“I’ve been telling his high school coach this for a year-and-a-half, even though my comp for him is Marqise Lee, he reminds me so much of DeVonta Smith as a high schooler – just in his build, in his frame and the way they run, the way they catch the ball. He’s not quite as fast as DeVonta Smith, but you see a lot of physical similarities. They are both pretty long, lanky, skinny, slight-of-build-type guys who make a bunch of plays.”

Smith was a U.S. Army All-American Bowl selection and was rated the nation’s No. 29 overall prospect in the class of 2017, while Franklin is an All-American Bowl selection and is rated the No. 49 prospect in the 2021 class.

Elaborating on why Franklin could be the star of Oregon’s 2021 class over Rivals five-star quarterback Ty Thompson, Huffman indicated the receiver may develop into a major playmaker in Eugene.

“I’m not saying he’s going to be DeVonta Smith, but I’m also saying that it’s time to start giving the receivers the credit that they’re due,” he said. “It’s not just the quarterbacks who are the stars of teams, that receivers can be the stars of the teams. I think Troy Franklin can have a DeVonta Smith-type of effect at Oregon the next few years, just in terms of what his overall playmaking ability is. And I think he is the real, true star that’s coming out of the 2021 class.”

— Andrew Nemec | anemec@oregonian.com | @AndrewNemec

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