Prospect Fits: How Kamarion Franklin Could Kickstart Tennessee's DL Vision

Five-star defensive end Kamarion Franklin is strongly considering the Tennessee Volunteers, and his pledge would help accelerate the staff's defensive plan.

There's a lot of smoke between five-star defensive end Kamarion Franklin and the Tennessee Volunteers. Granted, it's all just speculation, and Franklin has several other major suitors jockeying for position, but if Tennessee can land him, it greatly enhances their defensive vision, which he understands. 

Defensive line coach Rodney Garner has made him feel like a priority. The Lake Cormant High School star has been to Knoxville six times, three in his junior season alone. He has an official visit set for June 16; before that, he plans to visit the Miami Hurricanes on June 2. Franklin will be in Knoxville alongside five-star running back Jerrick Gibson and four-star offensive tackle Daniel Calhoun, though no other defensive linemen have set visit dates for that weekend.

Franklin's junior stats read like a video game character. He set a school record for sacks and was convincingly the best overall player in Mississippi, a talent-rich state with many upcoming high-level prospects.

• 93 tackles
• 19 sacks
• 9 TFLs
• 48 QB pressures
• 27 QB hits

Every defensive front needs a "go-getter," someone that shines in the biggest moments and can generate big plays by themself. Franklin fits that profile; he stands 6-5 and 260 pounds, moving gracefully across the field and carrying the weight well. He could even add 20 pounds to his frame in college if he chooses, but the draw is his athleticism. Franklin's blend of elite bend and hip mobility causes problems for opposing tackles all game. He can capture the corner or redirect if he takes the wrong pursuit angle.

Franklin is a finesse hand fighter that prides himself on placement and execution. His hand strength won't consistently overwhelm tackles at this point, which is something a defensive line coach can correct in college. However, he knows how to manipulate body leverage and get tackles leaning inside before he rips under them and wins the rep. He's an immediate situational pass rusher with the upside to become an all-conference player soon if he can find consistency in the run game. He holds gap control well, but if Franklin can add more violence on a consistent basis, this is a multi-year contributor for a defensive front that needs it.

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