Wisconsin TE transfer Jaylan Franklin commits to Michigan State
Michigan State received a new transfer portal commitment on Dec. 13, as reserve Wisconsin tight end Jaylan Franklin committed to the Spartans. He will come to East Lansing as a walk-on. Franklin is originally a class of 2018 recruit is from Rockwood (MI) Oscar A. Carlson High.
He committed to Michigan State via social media:
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound tight end committed to the Badgers over Michigan State, Kentucky, Minnesota and others out of high school. Regarded as a high level athlete in high school, Franklin logged a 21 foot, 7 inch long jump and ran 22.9 in the 200 meters.
At Wisconsin, Franklin appeared in 41 games over his four years. As a redshirt freshman, Franklin was mainly on special teams but also lined up at linebacker early on. In his 2019 Badger debut, he logged two tackles and a sack against South Florida. He later logged a tackle against Nebraska. He then transitioned back to tight end, netting two receptions for 40 yards in 2022.
Michigan State offered the special teams veteran during his official visit. Franklin will return to his home state with one year of eligibility remaining. The Spartans will look at Franklin to provide snaps on special teams. Franklin will also be tasked with replacing veteran walk-on Powers Warren in the tight end room.
In 10 games in 2022, Franklin played 63 snaps. Pro Football Focus graded him at 56.0 in run blocking. By familiar comparison, PFF graded Tyler Hunt at 55.9 in run blocking this year, Daniel Barker at 62.1 and Maliq Carr at 54.1.
The Spartans also gained a transfer portal commitment in 6-foot-7, 265-pound tight end from Norfolk State Ademola Faleye. Both Faleye and Franklin visited Michigan State over the weekend for official visits. MSU tight ends coach Ted Gilmore and Michigan State also have 2023 four-star commitment Brennan Parachek. The 6-foot-6, 235-pound tight end is ranked No. 307 overall, the No. 18 overall tight end, and the No. 4 recruit in Michigan by the On3 Consensus.
Due to the luxury of having a veteran on the roster without a using up a scholarship, SpartanMag.com projects 11 scholarship spots remaining in the Michigan State 2023 class. The Spartans will look to fill those spots from the transfer portal and high school ranks in the coming weeks.
