Syracuse Orange middle linebacker Zaire Franklin was named to the list of 30 candidates for the 2017 Senior CLASS Award on Thursday. The honor acknowledges the top FBS senior with notable achievements of excellence in community, classroom, character and competition.
Franklin is currently in the midst of his third full season as SU’s starting middle linebacker, and is likely to receive his third straight captain designation at the end of the year too. As a dual major at the Whitman School of Management, he’s made the All-ACC Academic team (2014) and the SU Athletic Director’s Honor Roll three times.