Missouri Tigers: quarterback James Franklin progressing after shoulder surgery

July 18, 2012|Chris Replogle, KY3 News | Twitter @ky3tigertalk or on Facebook @KYTV TigerTalk

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Mizzou's offense may get its wish for the 2012 college football season.

Junior quarterback James Franklin is progressing exactly how doctors had hoped, following surgery in the spring on his shoulder. He injured the throwing shoulder during spring drills.

"We expect, without question, for him to be 100-percent," said Missouri Tigers Head Coach Gary Pinkel. "It will be interesting to see in August as he's throwing more consistently over and over again."

Franklin shined at the end of his full-season as the Tigers quarterback in 2011. He threw 2,865 yards and 21 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. Franklin's rushing ability adds another dimension to Mizzou's spread-offense. He rushed 217 times for 981 yards and 15 touchdowns. He led Mizzou to four-straight wins, including a victory over North Carolina in the Independence Bowl.

That was then. Pinkel says he's ready for his signal-caller to take the next step in his career at Mizzou.

"He needs to eliminate those one or two mistakes that young quarterbacks make," said Pinkel. "You reduce those in half, then we are going to get the consistency factor out of him there."

The Davey O'Brien Foundation named Franklin to its preseason award watch list Wednesday. He joins fellow Southeastern Conference quarterbacks AJ McCarron, Aaron Murray, Tyler Wilson, Connor Shaw, and Tyler Bray.

Missouri opens the season at home September first against Southeastern Lousiana. The Tigers will play the inaugural SEC game the next weekend at home against Georgia.

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