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Notre Dame Football: Franklin Could Add Much-Needed Depth to Irish Defensive Line

By Ben Belden

SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 04: The macot, cheerleaders and players forthe Notre Dame Fighting Irish run onto the field before a game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Notre Dame Stadium on November 4, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Wake Forest 48-37. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 04: The macot, cheerleaders and players forthe Notre Dame Fighting Irish run onto the field before a game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Notre Dame Stadium on November 4, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Wake Forest 48-37. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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After missing his freshman season due to injury, Notre Dame football’s Jamion Franklin could provide the depth the Irish need at defensive tackle.

The Notre Dame football team is looking to fill a few pretty big holes on the defensive side of the football. Two of those holes come at the interior of the Irish defensive line. Gone is the steady Jonathan Bonner and the play-making Jerry Tillery to anchor the Irish defense.

The good news for the Irish, though, is that there are many candidates ready to step into significant roles on the defense. One of the names with which Irish fans should become familiar is that of Jamion Franklin.

Franklin is a 6-foot-1 rising sophomore, weighing in at 308 pounds, according to Notre Dame’s official website. After enrolling at Notre Dame last summer, Franklin participated in fall camp and saw his first playing time in Notre Dame’s blowout win against Wake Forest.

Unfortunately for Franklin, his freshman campaign was cut short, as he suffered a serious quadriceps injury that ended his season.

Known for his overwhelming strength explosion off the line of scrimmage, the injury is detrimental one for Franklin, but not one that is going to deter him from getting back in the thick of things this fall. According to those with knowledge of the situation, Franklin’s rehab is ahead of schedule, with his official return slated for May–just in time for fall camp. His presence will be crucial for Notre Dame’s depth at the position.

Currently, Kurt Hinish seems to be leading the way for the Irish at nose guard, with freshman Jacob Lacey and Darnell Ewell right behind. But don’t count out Franklin, a guy who Notre Dame coaches and fans were excited to see blossom in South Bend.

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Notre Dame’s defensive success will depend on the play guys on the interior. If the Irish find a way to fill the void on the defensive line, it will go a long way to repeating their championship-level of success from a year ago. When push comes to shove, Jamion Franklin will be doing a lot of the pushing.

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