What does it take to be an elite cornerback in football? 

Well, it starts at 6 a.m. every day. 

''We're out here before practice starts at 6 a.m., catching balls thrown by the Jugs machine in hopes that it manifests itself on the field,'' Western Michigan University redshirt senior Javarius Sims said about the work he and senior Joshua Franklin put in. ''That's the biggest thing, to get a takeaway.'' 

Adds Franklin: ''We're planning on getting those interceptions, those takeaways this year.'' 

And what bothers them the most is neither had an interception during last season's Mid-American Conference title season.  

Not one. 

The two started at cornerback in 12 of 14 games and contributed to WMU's 10-4 overall and 7-1 MAC records. It's the most starts returned at cornerback for the Broncos since Darius Phillips and Sam Beal returned in 2017 after a combined 26 starts in 2016. 

They both had career-best seasons in 2025. Sims was fourth on the team in total tackles with 64 and Franklin was sixth with 53. Sims had three tackles for loss, one sack and four pass breakups. Franklin added 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a team-best 10 pass breakups. 

''I had one interception in my sophomore year, but none last year and it really bothers me,'' Franklin said.  

Added Sims: ''I didn't see too many balls thrown my way, but I just have to catch a lot of the balls when they do. That's the biggest thing, the takeaways, and we work on that every day.'' 
 
Franklin, Sims and the Broncos open the 2026 season next Saturday, Sept. 5, at Michigan. 

''We want to take the ball away, and the next step up from being a good secondary to being an elite secondary is turnovers,'' said Nick Coleman, cornerbacks/defensive pass game coordinator. ''Especially for those two as well as the entire back end of the defense, it's the main thing we have been emphasizing.'' 

Last season, WMU allowed just 17.4 points per game and 305.5 yards per game. The Broncos' scoring defense ranked ninth in nation, while the team ranked 17th in total defense. With three starters returning in the secondary, that's a good start to do something special again. 

''It's good to finally have continuity in the cornerback room,'' Coleman said. ''It's good to have their leadership for not only that position, but for the whole team and anytime you have a strong back end with guys like that at cornerback, you have a good chance to play good defense. 

''They have taken a lot of strides and set examples for the younger guys.'' 

Both Sims and Franklin have offensive backgrounds with Sims being a running back in high school and Franklin coming into WMU as a wide receiver. 

''I'm still learning more and more concepts and routes, but it does give me an advantage of having an offensive background,'' Sims said.  

Communicating in the defensive backfield is something they are working on, even though they played all 14 games last season. 

''Being able to recognize formations and get into a check from last year to this year, we're light years ahead,'' Coleman said with a smile. ''They both have the big personality to communicate, and at corner, you typically don't want a soft-spoken guy. 

''Javarius, especially, loves to talk, to be heard, especially when it comes to execution.'' 

And they both love the game. 

''Last year was my first championship ever so I was just out there having fun, taking in Ford Field,'' Franklin said. ''There is never any pressure on a football field because that is what I love to do and I put in a lot of time on it.'' 

Added Sims: ''I try to come out and add energy every day with everything I do.'' 

That energy and continuity could lead to both ending the interception drought. 

''The word this offseason is elevate,'' Coleman said. ''Having this much experience returning puts us in a good spot to elevate, to be the best in the conference and we want to lead the nation in interceptions.''