Tennessee Volunteers trending for 4-star DL Kamarion Franklin
Lake Cormorant (Miss.) four-star defensive lineman Kamarion Franklin recently told On3’s Chad Simmons that he is working to cut down his list to around five schools. One of those programs may be Tennessee.
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.”
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.
Tennessee will receive an official visit from Franklin on June 16. He has also set an official to Miami on June 2.
For more Tennessee recruiting intel, check out Volquest.
In addition to seeing Knoxville on April 15, Franklin went to Tennessee on Jan. 28.
“They’re showing me I’m a top priority for them,” Franklin told Simmons on Jan. 30.
“They showed me how they wanted to use me in the defense, how they plan on developing me and stuff like that,” he added. “Everything they said, they’re showing it.”
Franklin would mark a big addition to Tennessee’s 2024 class
Tennessee is already off to a promising start in this cycle. The Volunteers’ 2024 recruiting class currently ranks No. 9 in the 2024 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings and No. 5 in the SEC.
Springfield (Mo.) Glendale four-star EDGE Kellen Lindstrom committed to head coach Josh Heupel and his staff on May 5, and is currently the most recent player to choose the Volunteers. Lindstrom is one of Tennessee’s five top-250 prospects, along with Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day School four-star quarterback Jake Merklinger, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy four-star tight end Jonathan Echols, Nashville (Tenn.) Lipscomb Academy four-star cornerback Kaleb Beasley and Sardis (Miss.) North Panola four-star wide receiver JJ Harrell.
Franklin is not the only blue-chip prospect that Tennessee is contending for. Others include Lee’s Summit (Mo.) Lee’s Summit North five-star defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri, Carrollton (Ga.) four-star tight end Caleb Odom and Chattanooga (Tenn.) Brainerd four-star athlete Boo Carter.