Ohio State has entered the race for 2024 five-star Mississippi defensive end Kamarion Franklin.
OSU defensive line coach Larry Johnson offered Franklin personally on Feb. 8, which the prized prospect from the deep south deeply appreciated.
“It was a blessing to me,” Franklin told Eleven Warriors of getting the offer from Ohio State. “I’ve always admired players like Chase Young and the Bosa brothers that have played there. Coach Johnson has put a lot of players in the NFL, so him giving me the opportunity to be a Buckeye meant a lot. The tradition with their defensive ends, they’re known for that. To potentially continue that would be cool.”
Franklin said he had only heard from Johnson twice before receiving the offer, with the first conversation coming on Feb. 1, which was National Signing Day for the 2023 class. Johnson offered him seven days later.
After a great talk with @R2X_Rushmen1 I am blessed to receive a offer from Ohio State University! @OhioStateFB @adamgorney @MohrRecruiting @SWiltfong247 @ChadSimmons_ pic.twitter.com/g9aHLURaKX
— KamarionBig KamFranklin (@KamarionFrankl1) February 9, 2023
“He let me know I’m going to be a target for them,” Franklin said.
Johnson and Franklin have spoken several times since the offer, most recently on Tuesday. Franklin said Johnson invited him to Columbus to take a visit for a spring practice, and the Mississippi product plans on making the trip to OSU in either March or April, though he has not confirmed an official date yet. Johnson told the 6-foot-5, 260-pound Franklin he’d be recruited to Columbus as a defensive end.
“He said he likes about how I really get after it and he likes my motor,” Franklin said about Johnson’s opinion of his game. “I don’t give up on any play. I get off the ball quickly and can get to the quarterback quickly and disrupt the play.”
In 10 games for Lake Cormorant High School (Lake Cormorant, Mississippi), the 6-foot-5, 260-pound Franklin recorded 93 tackles (9 for loss), 19 sacks (a school record), 48 quarterback hurries, 27 quarterback hits, a pass deflection, a fumble recovery and three blocked field goals.
“I have the ability to read plays and get off blocks well,” Franklin said when describing his best on-field attribute. “I can really disrupt plays and get to the quarterback or running back. Whoever’s got the ball, I’ll be there.”
Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Franklin is considered the 21st-ranked overall prospect and the fifth-best defensive lineman in the 2024 cycle. He boasts more than 30 Division I offers, including Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Colorado, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Louisville, LSU, Memphis, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, South Carolina, TCU, Tennessee, Texas and Texas A&M.
On Dec. 24, Franklin released a top 10 consisting of Tennessee, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Miami, Mississippi State, Alabama, Texas, South Carolina, Florida State and Michigan. But the Mississippi product admitted that list is probably going to change and said he plans on releasing either another top 10 or a condensed top-five list in the future.
“I can’t speak on (where Ohio State would rank) yet because I haven’t been out there to visit yet,” Franklin said. “As I go out there and see if I could see myself there, I could speak on that more. I’m looking for a place I can see myself, a place I can be around great people, be around coaches that will develop and what schools offer the best degrees.”
Franklin believes his commitment will likely go the distance, as he said he believes he’ll commit on the first day of the Early Signing Period. He’ll then enroll early at the school of his choice.
If Franklin committed to OSU, he’d be only the second player ever from Mississippi to play for the Buckeyes, with Jackson, Mississippi native tight end Craig Robinson spending one season with OSU in the 1990 campaign.
Jaylen Harvey to visit OSU June 25
One of Ohio State’s defensive end targets for the 2024 class has confirmed he’ll be visiting Ohio State this summer. Four-star Maryland defensive end Jaylen Harvey announced Wednesday he plans on making the trek to Columbus on June 25.
Ohio state June 25 @R2X_Rushmen1
— Jaylen harvey (@JaylenHarvey_) February 15, 2023
Harvey picked up an OSU offer on Oct. 16 after Johnson stopped by his high school on OSU’s off week. He’s considered the 244th-best prospect and the 18th-rated edge rusher in the 2024 class.
Marc Votteler hired as OSU director of player personnel
When general manager Mark Pantoni met with reporters on Feb. 1, he alluded that his month of January was busier than usual because he had to do double duty after the departure of his top assistant, Zach Grant, who was hired by Cincinnati as its general manager.
Some weight has been lifted off his shoulders, as various reports have indicated that OSU has hired Marshall general manager Marc Votteler to replace Grant as the OSU Director of Player Personnel under Pantoni.
In addition to his one year as Marshall’s general manager, he made past stops at Alabama, UCF and Tennessee where he served as an assistant director of player personnel.
