2022 OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Sam Franklin (RB), UT Martin,...Franklin was part of a two-headed rushing attack for UT Martin, spelling first-team All-OVC selection Zak Wallace for a change of pace. Franklin ranked fifth in the OVC in total rushing yards (676) despite having almost 25 less carries than any player who ranked ahead of time. He finished the season with 85 rushes to average 8.0 yards/carry, while scoring eight touchdowns. Franklin also caught 12 passes for 55 yards. A finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, Franklin scored a season-best three touchdowns in a win over Lindenwood, and added two scores and a season-high 157 rushing yards against Murray State. He also had 139 yards in a win at Houston Christian. He is the third UTM player to win this award, joining Don Chapman (2004) and John Bachus III (2019). - OVC Football