Auburn quarterback John Franklin III

AUBURN, Ala. — John Franklin III will make his first career start Saturday.

The announcement came just before kickoff, as Sean White is dealing with a shoulder injury. White, a third-year sophomore, started the first eight games of the Tigers' season and has them on a five-game winning streak entering Saturday's game against the Vanderbilt Commodores.

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Franklin III, a junior college transfer, has appeared in every game, completing 63.6 percent (7 of 11) of his passing attempts for 85 yards and a touchdown. He has also carried the ball 26 times for 256 yards and a touchdown. Franklin III's 9.8 yards per carry is the highest average on the team among players with at least 25 attempts.

White has completed an SEC-best 68.5 percent (113-for-165) of his passes this season. He also leads the conference in pass efficiency at 159.0, well ahead of No. 2 Austin Allen of Arkansas at 149.6.

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