North Carolina A&T State vs S.C. StateSep 28, 2017 by Kolby Paxton
NC A&T's Superstar Freshman Cornerback Is Grandson Of A Civil Rights Icon
NC A&T's Superstar Freshman Cornerback Is Grandson Of A Civil Rights Icon
Franklin "Mac" McCain III is the MEAC's best cornerback -- and the grandson of a Civil Rights icon.
If you don't know the name Franklin "Mac" McCain III, you better ask somebody.
The redshirt freshman from Greensboro, NC, has been one of the most impactful defensive backs in the country through the first four weeks of North Carolina A&T's season. McCain has five interceptions with 274 return yards and three touchdowns heading into the undefeated Aggies' road trip to South Carolina State (1-2) on Saturday at 6 PM ET.
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"Mac has a knack for making plays," NC A&T head coach Rod Broadway said. "We had an idea that he could be a special player for us, and he's off to a good start. If he continues to work, he has an opportunity to be great. You're only going to see this guy get better as he continues to grow."
Of course, should McCain -- considered by Broadway to be one of the team's most improved players this season -- eventually continue his recent run of success all the way to an NFL roster, the 5-foot-11, 178-pounder who runs a 4.49-second 40-yard dash still wouldn't be the most accomplished in his own family.
That's because McCain's namesake is from his late grandfather, Franklin McCain -- one of four North Carolina A&T students to play a role during the famous 1960 Woolworth lunch counter sit-in protest that is often credited for starting the modern day Civil Rights Movement.
Do yourself a favor and check this out:
Along with sharing a well-known family name, McCain has also drawn comparisons to a recently graduated NC A&T standout on the football field.
For those interested in finding the next Tarik Cohen -- a former FCS superstar ready to exceed expectations in the NFL -- his alma mater has retained several candidates. McCain is one of them -- maybe the best of them -- and he's just four games into his first season on the field.
McCain is fifth on the team in all-purpose yards and tied for fourth on the team in scoring without catching a single kick, punt, or pass that was actually intended for him.
Oh, and he also leads the Aggies in solo tackles.
Never has McCain been more electric than he was a week ago in a win against Morgan State. The STATS FCS Freshman Player of the Week picked off three passes -- two of which he returned for touchdowns.
McCain took his first interception back 100 yards to the house.
His second interception occurred, once again, at his own goalline. That's a 21-point swing on two plays if you're keeping score.
His third and final pick of the evening was returned for his second score of the game -- this one from 74 yards out.
At minimum, McCain, alone, swung the game 28 points on three plays. The Aggies would win by 32.
A week earlier, his pick-six at Charlotte won the game for NC A&T and earned McCain MEAC Defensive Player of the Week honors -- an award he has now won in consecutive weeks.
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The redshirt freshman from Greensboro, NC, has been one of the most impactful defensive backs in the country through the first four weeks of North Carolina A&T's season. McCain has five interceptions with 274 return yards and three touchdowns heading into the undefeated Aggies' road trip to South Carolina State (1-2) on Saturday at 6 PM ET.
Watch North Carolina A&T at South Carolina State LIVE on FloFootball!
"Mac has a knack for making plays," NC A&T head coach Rod Broadway said. "We had an idea that he could be a special player for us, and he's off to a good start. If he continues to work, he has an opportunity to be great. You're only going to see this guy get better as he continues to grow."
Of course, should McCain -- considered by Broadway to be one of the team's most improved players this season -- eventually continue his recent run of success all the way to an NFL roster, the 5-foot-11, 178-pounder who runs a 4.49-second 40-yard dash still wouldn't be the most accomplished in his own family.
That's because McCain's namesake is from his late grandfather, Franklin McCain -- one of four North Carolina A&T students to play a role during the famous 1960 Woolworth lunch counter sit-in protest that is often credited for starting the modern day Civil Rights Movement.
Do yourself a favor and check this out:
Along with sharing a well-known family name, McCain has also drawn comparisons to a recently graduated NC A&T standout on the football field.
For those interested in finding the next Tarik Cohen -- a former FCS superstar ready to exceed expectations in the NFL -- his alma mater has retained several candidates. McCain is one of them -- maybe the best of them -- and he's just four games into his first season on the field.
McCain is fifth on the team in all-purpose yards and tied for fourth on the team in scoring without catching a single kick, punt, or pass that was actually intended for him.
Oh, and he also leads the Aggies in solo tackles.
Never has McCain been more electric than he was a week ago in a win against Morgan State. The STATS FCS Freshman Player of the Week picked off three passes -- two of which he returned for touchdowns.
McCain took his first interception back 100 yards to the house.
His second interception occurred, once again, at his own goalline. That's a 21-point swing on two plays if you're keeping score.
His third and final pick of the evening was returned for his second score of the game -- this one from 74 yards out.
At minimum, McCain, alone, swung the game 28 points on three plays. The Aggies would win by 32.
A week earlier, his pick-six at Charlotte won the game for NC A&T and earned McCain MEAC Defensive Player of the Week honors -- an award he has now won in consecutive weeks.
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