"He didn't meet the standard of an Aggie football player. We move on," said coach Martin. "He will redshirt this year. He needs to mature, he needs to grow up."
The junior wide receiver led the Aggies last season with 74 receptions for 1,245 yards and 9 touchdowns.
On July 16, Franklin was named to the pre-season 2013 Biletnikoff Award watch list. The Biletnikoff Award recognizes the most outstanding receivers in college football.
To be eligible for the fall season, he needed to retain a 1.9 GPA, which he failed to keep up with. Franklin was held out of spring practices and had been attending summer classes trying to get caught up academically.
According to a press release on Friday, coach Martin said that Franklin will still practice with the Aggies throughout the season.
If New Mexico State is going to reach a bowl game for the first time since 1960, they will need to find production at the receiver position. Junior receivers Jerrel Brown, Joseph Matthews, and Adam Shapiro are all going to be counted on to produce this season in Franklin's place.
Martin added, "If I'm not mistaken, last year we were 1-11 with Austin Franklin. No one out here is irreplaceable."
