Former Ball State basketball star Franko House to pursue NFL career

Former Ball State forward Franko House has opted to pursue a professional football career, according to a profile released Monday afternoon by Dakota Crawford of the Muncie Star Press.

House last played football at the high school level at his hometown Concord High School in Elkhart, Indiana. He played tight end and defensive end for the Minutemen.

House ended up choosing to pursue basketball during his senior season at Concord and it was a choice that turned into four years of success for the Cardinals. House averaged 13.4 points per game, 6.4 rebounds per game and 2.3 assists per game in the 2016-2017 campaign and was a key component to the Cardinals lineup, playing all four years with no redshirt.

House was a second-team all-MAC selection and first-team all-MAC defensive at forward in 2016-2017, the only player in the conference to be named to both lists. House was named third-team all-MAC for the 2016-2017 campaign.

House, who stands at 6-foot-6, 248 lbs., recently worked out for the Chicago Bears and aims to get signed as a tight end. Because of this, House is eligible to forgo a year of collegiate eligibility.

This is a common practice for basketball players seeking football opportunities; they’re usually approached by football teams and can negotiate directly, as the Star-Press profile explains.

House will likely draw comparisons to fellow hoopster-turned-footballer Mo Alie-Cox of Virginia Commonwealth, who recently signed with the Indianapolis Colts and Kent State basketball product Antonio Gates, who ended up signing as an undrafted free agent with the San Diego Chargers.

Recent former collegiate hoopsters to make the successful transition include Jimmy Graham and Erik Swoope (both from the University of Miami).

House, who graduates from Ball State this year, will likely be available to sign as an undrafted free agent following the NFL Draft.