Another “Last Chance U” star is transferring again. Auburn announced on Tuesday that John Franklin III will leave the program as a graduate transfer. Franklin played in 12 games for Auburn last season, compiling 430 rushing yards, 204 passing yards and three total touchdowns.
After starting his career at Florida before transferring to East Mississippi CC, this move will send Franklin to his fourth school. He acknowledged that’s not an ideal situation. From AL.com’s James Crepea:
“Transferring is a tough process and to be bouncing around from school to school, that’s the last thing I wanted to do, to be honest,” Franklin said after receiving his Bachelor’s degree on Aug. 5. “Transferring was the last option because it takes a lot out of you. This is my third school and trying to make it a fourth? Four schools in five years doesn’t look good for anybody.
“Transferring wasn’t really an option. I had to figure out what I was going to do for this last year and me, coach (Gus) Malzahn and (offensive coordinator Chip) Lindsey sat down and came up with a plan. It’s working out for the best right now.”
According to a statement from Auburn coach Gus Malzahn, Franklin wants to play closer to his home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Crepea hinted Franklin could choose Florida Atlantic, where Lane Kiffin is essentially building a second Last Chance U. Kiffin has already added former East Mississippi CC quarterback De’Andre Johnson and defensive end Tim Bonner to the Owls roster. (We like this much more than when he offers scholarships to sixth- and seventh-graders.) He also hired a pair of former EMCC assistants, tight end coach Clint Trickett and defensive graduate assistant CJ Johnson.
Franklin is the third “Last Chance U” star to find a new home at a four-year college and then leave. Defensive tackle Ronald Ollie transferred from Nicholls State in July, and running back Isaiah Wright left West Georgia this week before ever playing a game there.
[AL.com]
About Jesse Kramer
Jesse is a writer and editor for The Comeback. He has also worked for SI.com and runs The Catch and Shoot, a college basketball website based in Chicago. He is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Follow Jesse on Twitter @Jesse_Kramer.