If you have been to an Eastern football game this year, you have probably heard the announcer call TJ Franden’s name.

Franden has been all over the field on offense, defense, and special teams; number 29 rarely, if ever, leaves the field. Franden has given coaches every reason to keep him on the field as he has been a beast defensively while also scoring five touchdowns offensively.

In his tenth year playing football, Franden is a standout player on a currently 5-1 team. Franden’s success has been found through hard work and his passion for the game. “I’ve just tried to go 100 miles per hour and put in a lot of work in the off season,” Franden said.

Franden is not only a football player but also wrestles, and said that his wrestling background helps him a lot with his positioning. It is no question as to whether the combination of skill and hardwork has payed off this year for Franden.

Franden has big plans for the future as he hopes to play college football one day. However, Franden isn’t overlooking the fantastic season Eastern is currently having. He sees a bright future for the team as he said “We have the capability to do things people wouldn’t imagine us doing. If we play every quarter as mental-mistake-free as possible, we’ll do great things. Right now, it doesn’t matter who scores or how pretty it looks, so long as we keep grinding and finish.”

Franden is currently playing with a cast on as he recently surgery on his thumb. Hopefully Franden and the rest of the team can keep their great season going.