Auburn Adds East Mississippi JUCO Dual-Threat QB John Franklin to 2016 Class
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The Auburn Tigers made a curious move on Wednesday taking a verbal commitment from junior college dual-threat quarterback John Franklin III adding a second quarterback to the 2016 recruiting class.
Franklin, originally from South Plantation High School in the Fort Lauderdale area, was a contributing member of the high-powered East Mississippi offense in 2015. The Lions posted a record of 8-1 scoring an average of 51 points per game averaging 587 yards of offense per game, 336 passing and 252 running. Appearing in all nine games, Franklin split time with Wyatt Roberts under center passing for 733 yards with seven touchdowns against two picks and was the team’s fourth leading rusher picking up 451 yards on 43 carries with another score.
Out of high school Franklin signed with Florida State but transferred in May after appearing in just two games without a pass attempt during the 2014 season.
The move for Auburn seems like a desired return to a more dual-threat triple option style of offense executed when Nick Marshall was in control of the Tigers’ offense a year ago. Marshall finished his senior season in 2014 passing for 2,532 yards with 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions but also ran for 798 yards with 11 more scores.
Auburn has been challenged this season moving the ball beginning the season with junior Jeremy Johnson as the starter but then turning the keys to the offense over to redshirt freshman Sean White. Neither Johnson nor White are a true dual-threat option and both have struggled with their completion percentages with White edging Johnson 59.2 percent to 58.7. In fairness to both quarterbacks, the Tigers have had a lot of very catchable balls dropped by receivers throughout the season. Johnson has a net gain of 75 yards rushing with three touchdowns scored and White has a net of 42 yards but has taken nine sacks losing 74 yards on the field.
The Tigers currently have four quarterbacks on the roster, Johnson, White, senior Tucker Tuberville, and true freshman Tyler Queen. In July, Auburn picked up a verbal commitment from West Orange star quarterback Woody Barrett. Could a quarterback battle be in play during spring camp? Is head coach Gus Malzahn expecting a quarterback to transfer away from the program necessitating the need for an experienced upperclassmen to be on the roster as a safeguard? Only time will tell.
Auburn now has 14 verbal commitments to their 2016 recruiting class and have picked up steam on the trail as of late landing three since Oct. 30; DT David Marshall, SS Marlon Character, and Franklin.
Franklin’s other reported offer was from Buffalo with Bowling Green, Utah State, South Florida, and Ohio all showing various levels of interest. The 6’1”, 185 pound, athlete is a true speed burner with a reported 10.5 in the 100 meters and was part of Florida State’s ACC championship winning 4×100 relay team.
Auburn 2016 Verbal Commitment List (14)
CB John Broussard, 5’11”, 165 lbs, Central HS, Phenix City, AL
SS Marlon Character, 6’0”, 170 lbs, Grady HS, Atlanta, GA
DE Marlon Davidson, 6’3”, 279 lbs, Greenville HS, Greenville, AL
DE David Marshall, 6, 2”, 255 lbs, Upson-Lee HS, Thomason, GA
DE Daquan Newkirk, 6’3”, 252 lbs, First Academy, Orlando, FL
DT Tashawn Manning, 6’3”, 270 lbs, Wekiva HS, Apopka, FL
LB Tre Threat 6’1”, 230 lbs, Spanish Fort HS, Spanish Fort, AL
OT Brodarious Hamm, 6’5”, 315 lbs, Spalding HS, Griffin, GA
QB Woody Barrett, 6’2”, 220 lbs, West Orange HS, Winter Garden, FL
QB John Franklin, 6’1”, 183 lbs, East Mississippi C.C., Scooba, MS
RB Malik Miller, 5’11”, 217 lbs, Madison Academy, Madison, AL
TE Landon Rice 6’6”, 245 lbs, Calhoun HS, Calhoun, GA
WR Marquis McClain, 6’2”, 207 lbs, Crestview HS, Crestview, FL
WR Elijah Stove, 6’0”, 174 lbs, Niceville HS, Niceville, FL
Photo credit: orlandosentinel.com; No. 11 John Franklin participates in a FSU practice.