Dominique Franks

Franks brings big-play ability as a return specialist, much like former Sooners Antonio Perkins and Derrick Strait, both defensive backs who had the ability to return punts. The junior has also shown natural hands, timing and leaping ability to get to the ball at its high point. Along with his impressive speed, he is a dangerous threat to score any time he touches the ball. Franks continues to mature physically and will need to add bulk and strength to compete with bigger receivers, but he has the reach to be very disruptive mirroring his man coverage throughout the route's progression. In two years as a starter, he broke up 15 passes, eight of them on third-down plays. He also showed that he is an opportunist as a pass thief, returning two of his six interceptions for touchdowns. Franks was a highly sought after recruit coming out of Union High School, where the in-state product was selected Tulsa World Oklahoma Player of the Year and first-team All-State as a senior. That year, he was runner-up for State Defensive Player of the Year honors from The Oklahoman. The KTUL Ford Award winner was rated the 26th-best cornerback nationally by College Football News.com and 15th by Scout.com. Rivals.com rated Franks the state's fourth-best overall prospect and he was named to Prep Star's All-American team in 2005, along with garnering national recognition from Super Prep. He helped the Redskins to two Class 6A state titles as a junior and senior after transferring from Owasso High. Franks recorded seven interceptions and returned three of them for touchdowns during his final season. As a return specialist, he scored three times on kickoff returns during his senior season, and rushed for five touchdowns as a tailback. Franks enrolled at Oklahoma in 2006, where he redshirted while competing on the scout team. The following season, he played behind Marcus Walker at field cornerback before earning his first career start vs. West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl, producing three of his six tackles for the season in that contest. He spent most of the year on special teams, averaging 10.33 yards on 12 punt returns while gaining 37 yards on a kickoff return. In 2008, Franks emerged from fall camp as the Sooners' starting field cornerback. He was named All-Big Twelve Conference first-team by the Dallas Morning News, as he totaled 42 tackles, returned a fumble recovery 39 yards for a score and picked off four passes that included an 18-yard touchdown return vs. Nebraska. His 10 pass breakups gave him 14 passes defended for the season, tied for 38th nationally. Franks again earned first-team All-Big Twelve recognition as a senior, as he paced a secondary that ranked 99th in the nation vs. the pass in 2008 (251.5 yards per game) to improve to 20th in the NCAA in 2009, allowing 179.69 yards per game. He totaled 47 tackles, broke up five passes and caused a fumble that he recovered. The junior also returned one of his two interceptions 85 yards for a touchdown vs. Kansas, the seventh-longest runback in school history. He averaged 17.0 yards on 11 punt returns and 19.29 yards on seven kickoff returns. After the season, Franks announced that he was leaving school to enter the 2010 NFL Draft. The cornerback said that Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops tried to talk him out of leaving too early, but only briefly. "He wanted me to come back to school," Franks said. "Every coach is gonna tell their kid to come back to school (that's) coming out early. But he's a great coach."

run support

Rarely asked to support the run at OU. Effective as a cut-down tackler, a technique that might not work against bigger backs in the NFL. Forces plays inside when on an island. Larger receivers can force him out of the play and Franks must use his hands better to get off blocks.

man coverage

Fast and low backpedal, flexible with a smooth hip turn. Nice change-of-direction skills, able to stick with receivers on crossing routes and down the sideline. Stays aware of his man when quarterback scrambles, but will be quick to attack. Willing to pop receiver at four or five yards to knock him off his route when playing off the line. Could be more consistent using his hands on the line, but is generally effective.

tackling

Has the requisite height and upper-body strength for the position. Reliable tackling his receiver after the catch, wraps up most any ballcarrier with his length and aggressiveness. Will throw down or plant his man if able, and let him know about it afterwards. Has the size and speed to chase down open ballcarriers and drag them to the ground, but is not strong enough to avoid stiff arms from larger backs and receivers.

zone coverage

Good awareness in zone, able to come off his man and clamp down underneath route to limit the gain or make a big play. Has the speed to catch up with the deep route. Had miscommunication with safeties on coverage handoffs throughout his career, leading to more big plays than you'd expect from a richly talented secondary.

intangibles

Good character and work ethic, no major issues with coaches or teammates. Should get a shot as a returner. Does not have great elusiveness on punt returns but works as the safety return man in the red zone, runs strong and makes difficult catches. Lacks great vision on kickoff returns.

closing/recovery

Excellent plant and drive and recovery speed, closes on the ball in the air very quickly in zone and man. Baits quarterbacks to throw the out pattern, which he can easily knock away with long arms and strong hands. Has dropped would-be interceptions.

read & react

Good recognition of routes. Can read his man and is aware of others on his side of the field. Reads the quarterback's eyes well when in zone. Easily diagnoses quick screens and reverses.

2009: Could not complete shuttle drills at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine due to leg cramps.

Campus: 4.47 in the 40-yard dash

1.49 10-yard dash

2.59 20-yard dash

4.33 20-yard shuttle

7.32 three-cone drill

33.5-inch vertical jump

9'9" broad jump

Bench pressed 225 pounds 10 times

31 1/2-inch arm length

10-inch hands.

Attended Union (Tulsa, Okla.) High School as a junior and senior, playing football for head coach Bill Blankenship

Attended Owasso High as a freshman and sophomore

Selected Tulsa World Oklahoma Player of the Year and first-team All-State as a senior

That year, he was runner-up for State Defensive Player of the Year honors from The Oklahoman

The KTUL Ford Award winner was rated the 26th-best cornerback nationally by College Football News.com and 15th by Scout.com

Rivals.com rated Franks the state's fourth-best overall prospect and he was named to Prep Star's All-American team in 2005, along with garnering national recognition from Super Prep

Helped the Redskins to two Class 6A state titles as a junior and senior after transferring from Owasso High

Recorded seven interceptions and returned three of them for touchdowns during his final season

As a return specialist, he scored three times on kickoff returns during his senior season, and as a tailback, he rushed for five touchdowns.

Multi-disciplinary Studies major

Son of Thelma Martin

Born 10/08/87

Resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma.