Athlete Jaylan Franklin Talks Notre Dame Football Visit

The Notre Dame football staff welcomed Jaylan Franklin to campus this week as they look to add versatile pieces to their recruiting class.

Jaylan Franklin is a versatile athlete from Michigan who the Irish staff have targeted recently. The 6’4, 206-pound Oscar A Carlson star has 20 offers on his list that includes; Michigan State, Pitt, Kentucky, Minnesota, Iowa State, Navy and Indiana.

Not only has the rising junior impressed on the football field, Franklin shows off his smarts as well in landing offers from Dartmouth, Vanderbilt and Northwestern.

On film, Franklin shows noticeable athletic ability, explosiveness, has great length and can rush the passer very effectively. If you watch the first play in his junior Hudl highlights (below), you’ll see what I’m talking about.

I spoke with Franklin about his recent Notre Dame visit to see how things went and get his take on what the future may hold in his active recruitment.

“I talked to coach Elston, coach Lyght and coach Elko. They were very impressed with my film but wanted to see me move around more and be a little more versatile,” explained Franklin.

Considering Franklin’s versatile skill set and ideal frame, I asked him which position the Notre Dame staff were interested in him as a recruit. “Outside linebacker and possibly an offensive position,” answered Franklin.

He spoke about which position most coaches see him playing in the college ranks. “It seems to be outside linebacker for most colleges. I’m listed as an athlete and ranked there.”

Franklin explained which schools have been contacting him the most recently. “Michigan State, Penn State and Cal.” PSU and Cal are not on any of his recruiting service profiles which bring up the fact that he’s being recruited by more highly regarded programs recently.

I asked Franklin where he feels things stand with Notre Dame now that he visited and where he think his recruitment is headed with the Irish. “I think it is a good position. They say they will be recruiting me very heavy from here on out and I’m looking forward to it and coach Elko is too,” expressed Franklin.

In closing, I asked Franklin if he has a top list or a timeline for his decision. “Not yet. I’ll be committing before my first game,” he answered. I also asked him if Notre Dame is a school he would consider committing to, “Yes, very much,” he added.

Notre Dame is sitting with two linebackers committed in their recruiting class of 2018. Matt “Bo” Bauer fills a mike spot for them and Ovie Oghoufo, also from Michigan, will play either buck linebacker or the rover position, depending on how he develops.

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What sets Jaylan Franklin apart from some of the other linebackers they have offered is his height (at least 6’4, even listed 6’5 in some profiles), length and pass rushing ability. It will be interesting to see how he performs during his senior season and if he receives an offer from the Fighting Irish.