The Ole Miss Rebels added much-needed depth to their defensive line today with the signing of Kamarion Franklin. A four-star commit from Lake Cormorant High School in Walls, MS, Franklin was ranked as the top prospect in the state of Mississippi. He also found himself ranked 52nd nationally, according to 247Sports.
In addition to the Rebels, Franklin received offers from Miami, Colorado, and Tennessee, among plenty of others. However, Lane Kiffin and company managed to keep him in-state, with relatively little concern.
High School Career
Franklin was a two-sport athlete while at Lake Cormorant High School. In addition to being a star on the football field, he was also a big part of the LCHS Gators basketball team. While his senior stats haven’t been verified, as a junior Franklin set a school record with 93 tackles and 19 sacks on Friday nights. On the basketball court, he averaged six points and eight rebounds per contest.
Given his size (listed at 6’5″, 265 pounds), there’s no real surprise that he dominated his competition. However, he also has surprising acceleration and quickness for a guy of his size, which is what he is going to have to lean on at the next level, especially in the SEC.
What to Expect From Franklin in Oxford
From a talent standpoint, Franklin should be set to see quite a few snaps as a true freshman. However, with the portal haul that Ole Miss has brought in, don’t expect to see him start next season. Defensive coordinator Pete Golding is likely to use him in a second unit on the defensive line, especially since Golding loves to rotate linemen in and out in the first place.
However, if there’s one question surrounding Franklin, it’s his motor. While the talent is apparent, there have been some rumors of him occasionally being lackadaisical off the ball. In high school, his size and talent allowed him to get away with this. At the next level, he won’t be able to take any snaps off. Energy and effort are a key part of the game. And for a young guy, you can’t afford to be lacking in terms of either of those qualities.
The other thing to look out for is a potential switch to the interior at some point in his time in Oxford. As he grows and puts on more weight, there’s a case to be made that his skillset would be better suited inside.
Apart from this potential switch, there’s little doubt that he’s set to be a difference-maker for the Rebels next year. Though he’s unlikely to start as a freshman, he’ll get plenty of playing time in Golding’s system. For Ole Miss, this depth isn’t something they typically have. Expect this newfound depth to play a key part in their push to the College Football Playoff next season.
And “Big Kam’s” signing is a key piece to that depth.
