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TROY, N.Y. - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) senior kicker Andrew Franks has agreed to a free agent contract with the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He is expected to join the Dolphins on Wednesday or Thursday and participate in the team's rookie camp as well as the OTAs (organized team activities) later month and in June.

"I got to work out one-on-one with Miami, with their special teams coordinator, and I thought that workout went really well," Franks said. "I fit their needs quite well, and they give me a good chance to fight for a job. They kept in good contact throughout this draft process and they made it pretty easy for me."

One of the most celebrated student-athletes in school history, the Carmel, Calif., native was a multiple National All-America this year, earning Little AP, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and D3football honors this season. The graduate of Carmel High School was the Liberty League Special Teams Player of the Year for the second straight season and a unamimous All-League First Team selection as a kicker. He was All-Liberty League Second Team as a punter. He was also named to the D3football.com All-East Region First Team for the third consecutive season and was selected to participate in the National Bowl.

"We are so proud of Andrew," said Rensselaer head coach Ralph Isernia. "His work ethic, determination and skill helped him realize a dream of getting to the NFL. The Dolphins are getting a world-class person and we, obviously, wish him all the best."

In 11 games this season, the Carmel, Calif., native made 16 of 25 field goal attempts, including three of at least 50 yards. He set the school record of 54 yards - the longest in NCAA Division III this year - on October 25 and established a new record at Springfield College's Stagg Field with a 52 yarder. Franks also made 30 point after attempts and led the team with 78 points. On 57 kickoffs, he averaged 61.4 yards with 33 touchbacks. He was also RPI's punter, averaging 38.6 yards per kick (45 att. for 1738 yards) with 12 that landed inside the 20 yard line.

Among the field goal distances the Carmel, Calif., native made this season were 51. 43, 54, 52 & 39 yards. 

Last year, Franks connected on 9 of 11 field goal attempts, including a school record five in a single game, while leading all Liberty League kickers in scoring during the regular season with 53 points. He was 5-for-7 from 40 yards and beyond while also tying his own school record with a 50-yard field goal. He averaged 63.3 yards per kickoff (46 for 2,910 yards), including 20 touchbacks. Franks averaged 36.1 yards on 57 punts (2,058 yards), including a 62-yard long, with 19 inside the 20-yard line. He was chosen to the All-Liberty League First (kicker) and Second (punter) Teams, along with Special Teams Player of the Year. 

As a sophomore, Franks made 8 of 14 field goals, including a school record 50-yarder against Union College in the Dutchman Shoes Trophy Game. He also made a 43-yard attempt and hit 31 of 34 extra-points, including going 8-for-8 in one contest, to finish with 55 points. On kickoffs, he had 53 attempts for 3225 yards (60.8 avg.) with 23 going for touchbacks. He was an All-Liberty League First Team selection after earning All-League Honorable Mention as a freshman.

Franks, who participated in the National Bowl, established new school records for career field goals (37), career touchbacks (85) and touchbacks in a season (33). He helped the Engineers to a 6-5 overall record and the ECAC North Atlantic Bowl, which they lost in overtime (42-36).

A biomedical engineering major, Franks earned Liberty League All-Academic recognition each of the three years he was eligible.

His honors and accomplishments include:

2014

• D3football.com All-America First Team
• AP Little All-America Second Team
• AFCA All-America
• All-ECAC Division III North First Team
• D3football.com All-Region First Team
• National Bowl participant
• Liberty League All-Academic
• Liberty League Special Teams Player of the Year
• All-Liberty League First Team (unanimous)
• All-Liberty League Second Team (punter)
• D3football.com National Team of the Week once
• ECAC Northwest Special Teams Player of the Week twice
• Liberty League Special Teams Performer of the Week five times
• School record for field goals in a career (37)
• School record for touchbacks in a career (85)
• Second in school history in point-after-touchdowns in a career (115)
• Third in school history in punting average in a career (37.2 yards)
• School record for touchbacks in a season (33)
• Second in school history for field goals in a season (16)
• Springfield's Stagg Field record for longest made field goal (52 yards on Nov. 8)
• School record for longest made field goal (54 yards on Oct. 25)
• School record for longest made field goal (51 yards on Oct. 25)
• Longest field goal in Division III (54 yards on October 25)
• Second longest field goal in Division III (52 yards on November 8)
• Fifth in Division III in field goals per game (1.45)
• First in Liberty League in field goals per game (1.45)
• First in Liberty League in scoring among kickers (7.1 points per game)
• First in Liberty League in touchbacks (33)
• Second in Liberty League in punting average (38.6 yards per attempt)
• Third in Liberty League in overall scoring (7.1 points per game)
• Third in Liberty League in point-after percentage (96.8%)
• First on team in scoring (78 points)

2013

• D3football.com All-America First Team
• BSN National All-America First Team
• D3football.com All-Region First Team
• Liberty League All-Academic
• Liberty League Special Teams Player of the Year
• All-Liberty League First Team
• All-Liberty League Second Team (punter)
• Rensselaer Special Teams Player of the Year
• D3football.com National Team of the Week once
• ECAC North West Special Teams Player of the Week twice
• Liberty League Special Teams Performer of the Week three times
• Tied school record for longest made field goal (50 yards on Sept. 14)
• School record for field goals in a game (5 on Sept. 14)
• Tenth in Division III in field goal percentage (.818)
• First in Liberty League in scoring among kickers (5.3 points per game)
• Seventh in Liberty League in overall scoring (5.3 points per game)
• First on team in scoring (53 points)

2012

• D3Football.com All-Region First Team
• All-Liberty League First Team
• Liberty League All-Academic
• School record for touchbacks in a season (23)
• School record for longest made field goal (50 yards on Nov. 10)
• First in Liberty League in scoring among kickers (6.1 points per game)
• First in Liberty League in field goals made (8)
• First in Liberty League in field goals per game (.89)
• Second in Liberty League in field goal percentage (57.1)
• First on team in scoring (55 points)

2011

• All-Liberty League Honorable Mention
• Liberty League Special Teams Performer of the Week once
• Liberty League Rookie of the Week once

In 11 games this season, Franks, a native of Carmel, Calif., made 16 of 25 field goal attempts, including three of at least 50 yards. Among the field goal distances the Carmel, Calif., native made this season were 51. 43, 54, 52 & 39 yards. Franks made 30 point after attempts and averaged 61.4 yards with 33 touchbacks on 57 kickoffs. As the team's punter, he averaged 38.6 yards per kick (45 att. for 1738 yards) with 12 that landed inside the 20 yard line.

As a junior, Franks connected on 9 of 11 field goal attempts. He was 5-for-7 from 40 yards and he averaged 63.3 yards per kickoff (46 for 2,910 yards), including 20 touchbacks. Franks averaged 36.1 yards on 57 punts (2,058 yards), including a 62-yard long, with 19 inside the 20-yard line. The year before, 2012, Franks made 8 of 14 field goals and 31 of 34 extra-points, including going 8-for-8 in one contest, to finish with 55 points. On kickoffs, he had 53 attempts for 3225 yards (60.8 avg.) with 23 going for touchbacks. 

For his career, the biomedical engineering major made 37 of 56 field goals and 115 of 123 point-after-touchdowns for 226 points. He averaged 61.2 yards on 202 kickoffs with 85 touchbacks. Franks punted for two years, compiling 3,796 yards on 102 attempts with 31 that landed inside the 20-yard line.