By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech added two huge offensive weapons on Saturday as the Golden Eagles brought in a National Champion running back in Michigan transfer Leon Franklin and a school-record holder from New Hampshire in wide receiver D.J. Linkins.

Franklin, whose Michigan Wolverines won the College Football Playoff National Championship over Washington on Monday night, was part of one of the top rushing and scoring offenses in the Football Bowl Subdivision with a loaded corps of rushers.

He ended the 2023 campaign with a touchdown in 14 games played this season. Against some of the best competition in the country, he averaged 3.0 yards per carry, rushing for a score against Minnesota. Franklin also had a catch for six yards against Michigan State.

He was also an active member on special teams with action against East Carolina, Rutgers, Indiana, Ohio State, Penn State and Maryland this season.

In his career with the Wolverines, Franklin averaged 3.3 yards per carry. He has two catches for 26 yards and a touchdown, collecting a 20-yard score against UConn in 2022.

Linkins finished the season hauling in 31 passes for 413 yards with one touchdown. He averaged 2.8 receptions and 37.5 yards per game with an average of 13.3 yards per catch. He had a career-high 110 yards on five catches against Delaware, including a 56-yard pick-up against the Blue Hens. Linkins also had a career-best six catches against Towson, and scored his lone touchdown of the season against Villanova.

During his freshman campaign, Linkins finished the year with a freshman-record five touchdown receptions, including two against North Carolina Central. He also caught touchdown passes against Stony Brook, Rhode Island and Maine.

A product of St. John's College High School in Washington, D.C., Linkins was a Cliff Patterson Award recipient, while named an All-Metro selection. He led his prep conference in yardage and touchdowns.