Football | August 09, 2016

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – According to a popular adage, competition is supposed to bring out the best in athletes. This is most commonly referred to when two players are battling for a spot on the team or two unknowns are trying to get their first starting spot. This is not typical when there is a 1,550-yard Freshman All-American that is a freight train at 6-0, 228 pounds of pure muscle going up against a competitor that is 5-7, 187 pounds.

However, that is the situation that happened in the Broncos' backfield last year when the smaller guy,  Jamauri Bogan was able to become the Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year by rushing for over 1,000 yards and having 16 TDs. One might think this would lead to dissent in the locker room or at least an issue between the players. What is surprising about this duo's story is that not only are they still friends, they are also roommates going on three years this fall.

Franklin and Bogan came into Western Michigan at the same time in the fall of 2014. Franklin says that entire freshman class which are now redshirt sophomores and true juniors have a pretty tight bond, but that he and Bogan spend perhaps the most time together off the field.

"I look at him as one of my closest friends on the team," Franklin said. "Coming in at the same time and both being running backs, we already had that relationship before even meeting each other. We were roommates right off the bat, so we definitely figured out how to be around each other and what makes each other tick."

Bogan admits that there is a battle between the two for reps, but that they have a vision of their lives which extend beyond just football.

"Our bond is pretty special," Bogan said. "We like to get the best out of each other not just on the football field. We talk about a lot of things after football and how we're going to better ourselves along the way."
The teammates turned roommates turned friends, try to have the normal college experience that includes hobbies aside from just football, classes and talking about the future. What strengthens the bond are the activities they do when they do find a free minute.

"We like playing video games, going bowling, playing mini golf and going fishing," Franklin said. "So we spend a lot of time together."

Kenni Burns is the duo's third running back coach in three-and-a-half years going back to when they were recruited. Burns, who knows about successful running games, after spending time with the FCS powerhouse North Dakota State before going to Wyoming and now Western Michigan, admits the off-field relationship between two lead backs is a special thing.

"It's something that's really unique," Burns said. "It's not something you see but you have two guys who have a bond that's deeper than football and it starts because they're friends. Those guys are the epitome of selfless guys who want to see the other one do well and realize it's about working together to make us an ELITE team."