When people bring up Missouri Tigers history, the conversation usually drifts toward the Gary Pinkel era as a whole or maybe the freakish athleticism of Jeremy Maclin. But if you really want to talk about the bridge between the old Big 12 days and the SEC "welcome to the neighborhood" party, you’ve gotta talk about James Franklin Mizzou football was defined by his dual-threat ability right when the game was changing.
He wasn't just a placeholder. Honestly, he was the guy who had to follow Blaine Gabbert. That’s a tall order for any 20-year-old kid.
Franklin wasn't the vocal, rah-rah type that makes for easy TV soundbites. He was quiet. He just put his head down and ran through linebackers. Sometimes he ran over them. In 2011, his first year as a starter, the dude basically put the team on his back, throwing for 2,865 yards and rushing for nearly 1,000 more. To be exact, he had 981 yards on the ground. That’s insane for a quarterback in any era, let alone during Mizzou’s final Big 12 grind.
The 2011 Breakout and the Big 12 Send-off
Most fans remember 2011 as a year of "what ifs," but Franklin was a human highlight reel. You’ve probably seen the clip of him erasin’ a 14-point lead against Texas A&M. Or that 10-point comeback against Kansas. But the real kicker? He led Mizzou to its first win over the Texas Longhorns since 1997.
People forget how much pressure was on him. The school was about to jump to the SEC. Everyone was saying Mizzou would get bullied by the "big boys" down south. Franklin just kept playing.
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He capped that 2011 season by absolutely carving up North Carolina in the Independence Bowl. He walked away with the MVP trophy after racking up 274 total yards and three scores. It felt like the start of a Heisman-caliber career.
That SEC Transition (And the Injury Bug)
The jump to the SEC in 2012 was... rough. Not because Franklin couldn't play, but because his body started betraying him. It started with shoulder surgery in March 2012. He made it back for the season, but then came the knee issues and the concussions.
Football is a violent game. Especially when you play the way James Franklin did.
He missed four games in 2013, his senior year. Maty Mauk stepped in and did well, which led to some fans—wrongly, in my opinion—questioning if Franklin should even get his job back. But when he came back? He proved he was the heartbeat of that team. He led them to the SEC Championship game and a Cotton Bowl victory over Oklahoma State.
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Think about that. In Mizzou's second year in the toughest conference in the country, Franklin helped them win 12 games.
Beyond Columbia: The Pro Journey
He didn't stick in the NFL, which happens to a lot of dual-threat guys who take too many hits in college. The Detroit Lions gave him a look as an undrafted free agent in 2014, but he was cut before the season.
But James Franklin wasn't done. He headed north.
The CFL was actually a great fit for him. The wider field gave him more room to move. He spent time with the Edmonton Eskimos, where he won a Grey Cup in 2015. He eventually landed with the Toronto Argonauts and even tied a record held by the legend Doug Flutie for the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a single season (14).
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He retired in 2021 after a stint with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
What Most People Get Wrong About Franklin
If you look at the raw stats, you might think he was just a "good" college QB. But you have to look at the context. James Franklin Mizzou football history is unique because he navigated the most turbulent transition in the program's history.
- He wasn't just a runner; he completed over 62% of his passes.
- He played through significant pain that would have sidelined most players.
- He was a leader by example, a guy who earned the respect of teammates like Henry Josey and Kentrell Brothers.
In fact, he was so close with his teammates that Josey and Brothers were groomsmen in his wedding. That tells you more about his impact than a box score ever could.
Actionable Insights for Mizzou Fans and Analysts
If you're looking back at this era or analyzing what makes a successful Mizzou quarterback, here are the takeaways:
- Efficiency Over Volume: Franklin’s 2013 season (19 TDs to only 6 INTs) is the blueprint for winning in the SEC without a roster of five-star recruits.
- Dual-Threat Longevity: His career is a case study in the physical toll of the "running QB" style. Modern offenses now use more sliding and out-of-bounds plays to preserve guys like Franklin.
- Character Matters: The way Franklin handled the Maty Mauk "quarterback controversy" with grace is why he's still a beloved figure in Columbia today.
James Franklin finished his Mizzou career with 6,962 passing yards and 51 touchdowns through the air. Toss in his rushing stats, and you’re looking at one of the most productive players to ever wear the black and gold. He might not have a statue outside Faurot Field, but the 2013 SEC East Championship trophy doesn't exist without him.
Check the record books or watch the old 2011 Independence Bowl tape. You'll see a guy who gave everything to a program that was trying to find its identity in a new world.