4-star DL Kamarion Franklin discusses finalists ahead of commitment
In two days, Lake Cormorant (Miss.) four-star defensive lineman Kamarion Franklin will announce his commitment. The 6-foot-5, 260-pounder is set to choose between Auburn, Florida State, Miami, Ole Miss and Tennessee.
Franklin is the No. 39 overall prospect in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 7 DL and No. 1 player in Mississippi.
It’s a fight in the South for one of the highest-ranked recruits left on the board this cycle. According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM), it is Auburn and Hugh Freeze that are in prime position to land Franklin. In August, three recruiting insiders have logged picks for the Tigers to beat out the competition, giving AU an 89.3% chance to win the recruitment, while the in-state Rebels are behind at 2.7%, followed by Tennessee at 2.3%.
Ole Miss has received the most visits at eight total trips. Tennessee and Miami each welcomed Franklin on official visits in June. Auburn has an OV scheduled for September and is the program that received the latest visit at the end of July.
“Auburn and Miami look to be the top two heading into Saturday,” wrote On3’s Chad Simmons on Aug. 15. “Things change quickly in recruiting these days, but I like where Auburn sits. Since his visit to the Plains on July 31, the Tigers have been the school trending.”
The tea leaves could point multiple directions. In an interview with Phillip Dukes on The Casual Flex, Franklin said he’s still yet to lock in a decision, despite his big day being just 48 hours away.
“I’m still thinking about it, but i’m close to knowing, I think i’ve got an idea,” he said.
Franklin breaks down five finalists
Franklin has felt the positive impressions left by the five schools still in contention for his commitment. From the in-state angle with Ole Miss, to the love he’s felt at places like Auburn and Miami, he broke down why each program is still in the running for his pledge.
Auburn: “(Auburn’s) like a family place, for real. It’s full of good people.”
Florida State: “The development part, the greatness, the legacy you could hold at Florida State, it’s different. You could go there and you’ll see the legacy you could hold, the D-line, it’s crazy down there.”
Miami: “They came out recruiting me late, but the people in Miami, man, they’re about to turn it around, for real. I could say the same thing about Auburn, too — about to turn it around. Miami, great people, you feel at home there, too.
Ole Miss: “The ability to put on for my state, put my state on my back. A lot of Mississippi kids, we don’t get that opportunity, it’s hard, so just showing the upcoming kids — the next No. 1 player in the state — just showing them what you could do for home.”
Tennessee: “They’ve been recruiting me for the longest out of everybody besides Ole Miss. Great people. The fanbase is crazy, all of that, the culture.”