Hoya Staff Writer Friday, September 22, 2006 Lindsay Anderson/The Hoya

Name: Brian “Tandy-Man” Franklin Tandy Sport: Football Position: Defensive back and punt return Hometown: Virginia Beach, Va. High School: Frank W. Cox High School School/Year: COL ’07 Major: Spanish Georgetown highlights: 2004: 63-yard return against St. Francis, 2005: started 11 games; finished 11th on the team with 36 tackles, 27 of them solo. High school highlights: 2003: Bill McFarland Award Winner (best all-around senior athlete); all-district in football and track, 2002: Bill Kamerek Award for football (awarded to student athlete with extreme work ethic); all-district in football and track. When did you first start playing football?

When I was six years old, my older brother played, so I wanted to be like him. I just remembered my step-father saying, “whenever you run the ball, just act like you are running through a brick wall because no one will be able to stop you.” That is the first thing he ever told me. What made you decide to go to Georgetown?

Actually, this is a funny story. I used to tutor people in high school, and the teacher in charge, Ms. Marianne Matson, said she heard I was applying to Georgetown because I was recruited for football. I did not know Georgetown was a good school or anything; I only knew Allen Iverson went there because he is from near where I am from. Mrs. Matson was the first to tell me about Georgetown. She first talked about shopping on M Street, but then would talk about how great of a school it is. She told me I had to go. Who on the team do you rely on the most?

Probably my housemate, senior defensive back Derek Franks. We became starters sophomore year, and started every year since. He played right cornerback and I was the left. Now he is our starting free safety. We live together and do everything together. What was the best moment in your career so far?

On the field, it was beating Fordham last year. We came back from 21-0 at halftime. Who is your favorite NFL player?

Darrell Greene. He is retired. He used to play for the Redskins. He played the same position I play. He always won the fastest man in the NFL contests. I learned he is really big in his community, and gives back to charities. He is an all around nice guy, a good role model type of person. Any superstitions?

I have to move my toes up and down a certain amount of times before I put my cleats on. If they get stuck I have to start all over again. I have done this since I was little. I am a little obsessive compulsive. What are you currently listening to on your iPod?

I usually listen to old school R&B. Mint Condition and Jodeci. If you could be great at any other sport or event besides football, what would it be and why?

I would really like to be great at track, like running the 100-meters. There is nothing better than just being the fastest person. It is the most natural thing to just run. If you are the fastest, you feel like you are better than everyone. No one can beat you. I’d want to be the fastest man on earth. Who in your life inspires you the most?

Probably my high school football coach, Steve Allosso. I wasn’t a good student when I came to high school. I was pretty much a bad kid in middle school. When I came in, he saw talent and ability, and really pushed me to do well. You know how there are times when you don’t wanna make some one look bad? He would tell other people how good of a student and kid I was and I didn’t want to embarrass him by acting different then what he said of me. He is a good motivator. He’s like those professors you see in the movies that give the underprivileged kids A’s, something they never had before, and told them it was their job to keep it. He gave me the reputation of a good student and kid and I wanted to keep it. He still comes to all my games too. Favorite Georgetown professor?

That’s easy, Professor Yoel Wachtel. He teaches Israeli Culture and Hebrew Literature. Most embarrassing moment?

There are so many embarrassing things that I have done. My freshman year, I lived in Village C East. I am really claustrophobic. Once, I got stuck in the elevator. It was trapped between floors. I was hitting the emergency button and yelling to get me out. I could see people through the top looking down on me as I was yelling like a little kid. One word people use to describe you?

Blunt. I pretty much tell it how it is, without regard to how people are going to react. Favorite Georgetown restaurant?

Actually, recently I just had some Bangkok Bistro. I really like that place now. I like their sticky mango rice desert. Favorite TV show?

I watch the Real World. I am a reality TV fan. I know it is all scripted, but then I don’t know; it captivates me. I can’t get out of it. I watch it all, it doesn’t matter. Favorite movie?

“Finding Forrester.” I like the relationship that Jamal has with Sean Connery’s character. Least favorite movie?

I went to go see “When a Stranger Calls”, last winter. Man, it was the worst movie I have ever seen in my life. It wasn’t scary and it was supposed to be a scary movie. It was really bad acting. Favorite thing to do when you’re not playing football?

Video games, definitely. I am on the X-Box 360 when I am not on the field. NCAA football 2007; the video game is better because you don’t have to practice.