Ole Miss WR Zakhari Franklin 'Might Have 1,400 Yards' In 2023
Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin made a splash when he landed UTSA transfer receiver Zakhari Franklin.
Franklin caught 262 passes for 3,348 yards and 37 touchdowns with the Roadrunners — all of which are program records — in his four seasons in San Antonio. Now in Kiffin's explosive, pass-happy offense, Franklin is ready to thrive and could jump to one of the top pass-catching options in the 2024 NFL Draft.
"It's dumb to say he's going to explode this year because he has," NBC Sports' Connor Rogers said NFLStockExchange's wide receiver draft preview Monday. "He might have 1,400 yards this year."
Rogers raved about Franklin's sheer ability to play the receiver position, saying the UTSA quarterback play may have hindered just how dynamic and impactful he could be. Either Jaxson Dart or Spencer Sanders is an upgrade over Frank Harris, and though he'll be facing Southeastern Conference competition, Rogers thinks "he's ready for it."
Rogers said Franklin has "tons of experience," can make contested catches and has "true inside-outside versatility."
Rogers likes the Cedar Hill, TX. native's abilities against press coverage and breaking tackles.
"A lot of watching in this class, guys struggled against press, and there were a couple times he actually ran over guys trying to get hands on him so I like that kind of edge to his game," Rogers said. "Extremely effective at spinning off tackles after the catch to fall forward for extra yards. Constantly catches the ball and spins, and it's not like a Madden spin where everybody's like, 'Oh s---, that was crazy.' It's like an effective, 'I'm strong guy,' spin. I can spin for another couple four or five yards and I really shouldn't get anywhere."
Rogers said in the red zone Franklin "looks like a top-five receiver," but when the offense wasn't inside the 20-yard line, he thought he "didn't look as dialed in."
"You watch the Houston opener in 2022. The focus was just not where it needed to be," Rogers said. "He was drifting into some routes. He wasn't ready for the ball to come his way."
Rogers ranked Franklin as his No. 9 draft-eligible wide receiver.
"I think he has average straight-line speed," Rogers said. "I think he's quick. I think he's strong. I think he's a very good wide receiver at the things that are done on the practice field: tracking the ball, routes, getting off press, footwork. He needs to be fully dialed in and be the best version of himself, and if he is, he'll make himself into a receiver that goes in the first three rounds."
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