Cross-exam: Miami, Auburn, Tennessee recruiting writers give latest intel on top-40 recruit Kamarion Franklin

Miami, Tennessee and Auburn are locked in a three-way battle for Lake Cormorant (Miss.) four-star defensive lineman Kamarion Franklin, the No. 37 overall prospect and No. 7 defensive defensive lineman in the 2024 class. And while the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine lists Tennessee with a strong lead, intel suggests the battle for Franklin looks much different.

CaneSport recruiting writer Stephen Wagner, Auburn Live recruiting writer Cole Pinkston and Volquest recruiting writer Matt Ray sat down for a cross-examination of Franklin’s recruitment to share the teams’ different perspectives and latest intel on the 6-foot-5, 260-pound lineman. Franklin hopes to announce a decision “no later than September.”

What is your team’s defensive line outlook for the 2024 recruiting class, and how much of a must-get is Kamarion Franklin?

Wagner: Miami has already landed four-star defensive tackle Artavius Jones, three-star defensive lineman Daylen Russell and top-40 EDGE prospect Marquise Lightfoot, but given the Hurricanes only signed one true interior lineman and a pair of EDGEs in last year’s high school recruiting class (even though 2023 four-star EDGE Rueben Bain is now getting looks at tackle), Franklin feels like a prospect Miami can’t afford to lose out on. The Canes already lost the battle for five-star Ohio State defensive lineman Justin Scott, a prospect I predicted Miami would land earlier this spring, which raised Franklin’s value for the program as it continues its search for recruiting depth along the interior.

Pinkston: Auburn currently has one defensive lineman committed and in good shape with at least two others. Auburn probably wants to sign 4-5 defensive lineman in the 2024 class. Kamarion Franklin is the top guy on the board at defensive line, and probably a top five guy overall for Auburn.

Ray: Tennessee currently holds commitments from Jeremias Heard, Carson Gentle, and Kellen Lindstrom and is actively involved with several others, including Williams Nwaneri and Danny Okoye. 

How confident are you in your team’s chances?

Wagner: I wasn’t overly wild about Miami’s chances with the four-star recruit after his official visit to Coral Gables June 2, but I’ve grown increasingly optimistic about Miami’s chances over the last two months. He visited campus three times in two months and has repeatedly cited his love for Miami co-defensive line coaches Jason Taylor and Joe Salave’a and head coach Mario Cristobal, all of whom have made very strong impressions. However, the recent buzz around Auburn has caused me to dial things back this week.

Pinkston: A week ago, I was leaning more toward Miami or Tennessee being in the lead with Auburn slightly behind, as of Friday, I feel as though Auburn has closed the gap and surging some. 

Ray: Tennessee has been a constant in this recruitment for Franklin and potentially the leader at different stages. Coming out of the spring and heading into official visits, it felt like the Vols had some real momentum, but now, Auburn is the team I continue to hear about most consistently. 

What can your team offer the other two can’t?

Wagner: One name: Jason Taylor. Franklin holds Taylor in high regard and returned to Miami in June several weeks after his official visit for a personalized workout with the Hall-of-Fame defensive end. Miami intends to let Taylor work with the Canes’ interior defensive linemen as well which has had serious appeal for Franklin. Taylor is entering his first season as a college position coach, but Franklin is a strong believer in his developmental capabilities.

Pinkston: Auburn picked up three players from the transfer portal on the defensive line. Two are one-year players while one is a pretty strong candidate to go pro if he performs well. There are also a few seniors on the defensive line. I think early playing time is almost imminent for Franklin if he were to choose Auburn.

Ray: While Franklin could push for early playing time in Knoxville, it seems unlikely, and Tennessee does not promise anything, in terms of this, under Josh Heupel. What Tennessee can offer is the promise of elite development under Rodney Garner’s tutelage, which has been something the four-star has reiterated on numerous occasions.

How do you see Franklin fitting into your team’s system?

Wagner: Miami hopes to use Franklin as a three technique and a five technique in defensive coordinator Lance Guidry’s defensive scheme, which should hopefully offer plenty of pass rushing and run-stopping opportunities for the blue-chip prospect. Franklin could likely compete for playing time early given Miami’s lack of depth along the interior and has potential to be one of the most impactful commitments in the Canes’ 2024 class.

Pinkston: Franklin has been told he is a versatile defensive lineman who play all the way inside at a 3-technique, but also slide out and be a 5-technique or strong side end. He would also be in a pass rushing role as well. 

Ray: Franklin would fit as a 3-tech primarily, but his versatility would also allow him the opportunity to work as a 5-technique and work in special pass-rush sets earlier in his career. 

Franklin squeezed in trips to Miami and Auburn in the final week before the August dead period. How important could those visits be in his final decision?

Wagner: I think the visit was massively important to gain momentum with Franklin heading into the dead period. The four-star prospect set up his return visit to Miami during his on-campus workout in June, so we knew he was making the Canes an end-of-summer priority. It marked his third visit to Coral Gables in two months, and he told CaneSport he plans to make a decision no later than September. He also wants to visit Miami for a game this fall, which could mark four visits in four months, and the Canes made another strong impression at the end-of-July recruiting barbecue.

Pinkston: I think those visits are important. The Auburn visit seemed to help the Tigers’ chances a good bit with a decision not too far off.

Ray: I think those trips are very important. He took official visits in June, but it is clear he needed to see more as he works toward a decision.  Auburn has been the trendy team since the trip, so to me, that speaks for itself on this question. 

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