4-star DL Kamarion Franklin locks in LSU official visit next month
Lake Cormorant (Miss.) four-star defensive lineman Kamarion Franklin will take an official visit to LSU next month, he announced on Friday afternoon.
Franklin did not name the Tigers in his top 10 previously, but recently told On3’s Chad Simmons that he is looking to narrow his list down to five schools soon. Among the other contenders who previously made his top list are: Tennessee, Texas A&M, Miami, Mississippi State, Alabama, Ole Miss, Texas, South Carolina, Florida State and Michigan.
The Volunteers and Hurricanes have also locked in official visits with the hulking defensive lineman next month.
Franklin is the No. 36 overall prospect and No. 7 defensive lineman in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 1 player in Mississippi.
According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, the Volunteers are leading for Franklin’s commitment at 76.8%. Tennessee’s odds for the 6-foot-5, 260-pound recruit rose greatly following an expert prediction from On3’s Sam Spiegelman.
“Kamarion Franklin has been a long-time target for (defensive line coach) Rodney Garner and Tennessee dating back to last summer,” Matt Ray of Volquest said. “Franklin’s combination of size, speed and raw athleticism fits the mold of what Tennessee covets along the defensive front. After a multi-day unofficial visit in April, centered around the annual Orange and White game, it felt like the Vols seized the momentum in this recruitment. June official visits will play a pivotal role in Tennessee staying in a prime position, ahead of a potential late summer decision.”
However, LSU getting him for an official visit after not making his previous top schools list only portends well for Brian Kelly and Co.
Franklin doesn’t have a commitment timeline in place yet
The elite defensive lineman was busy this spring, hitting Tennessee, Ole Miss, Alabama, Miami, Texas A&M, Florida and more for unofficial visits.
After those trips, he told On3’s Chad Simmons that he is looking to cut things down and take the next step in his recruitment.
“I’m working to get my list down to around five schools and that should happen soon,” Franklin said. “Relationships are important for sure and who will develop me the best is important to. I want to be close to the coaches of the school I go to from my position coach to the defensive coordinator, I want to know them well.”
At this stage though, he doesn’t have a commitment date planned and could take his decision all the way to December.
“I’m not sure when I will commit yet but it really doesn’t matter if it’s before my senior year or not,” he said. “When I know, I’ll know. I’m not going to rush anything so I’ll take my time, take the visits I need to take and make the right decision whenever I feel ready.”