John Franklin III: Has He Made it to the NFL?

By Jason Bolton August 10, 2024 00:10

Photo by AP Photo/Butch Dill

John Franklin III is a household name for many football fans, especially if you followed along with the Netflix documentary series Last Chance U. His story in the world of football has been well documented. It embodies much of what young athletes are trying to make it go through, which can be summarized by an overwhelming heaping dosage of trials with equally bracing amounts of tribulations down every alley possible. In this article, we break down Franklin's background and college career to his NFL journey so far with a look ahead at the possible opportunities in the future.

Background and Early Life

John Franklin III was born September 21, 1994, in Broward County, Florida. His high school experience at South Plantation High School set the stage for a football career, which afforded him notoriety and eventually landed him a scholarship to play at Florida State University (FSU). Throughout his early life, Franklin always loved the game; like all young football players, he wanted to play professionally.

Franklin's college football career started at Florida State University in 2013, where he became a hold quarterback. But it was a tumultuous few years at FSU, but he failed to win an outright starting job and eventually transferred. He played football at East Mississippi Community College in 2015 and starred on the field and off it, with his appearance in Last Chance U. It took him a year to find that level of success, helping lead EMCC to a national title while showing he could play dual-threat quarterback, too.

After EMCC, Franklin transferred to Auburn University (2016), where he enjoyed some success. He joined what was then his third college team at Auburn and faced one of the more competitive starting quarterback races before. He then transferred to Florida Atlantic University and played with them for his final college season in 2017. During his time in college, Franklin played both quarterback and wide receiver, which would ultimately set up the flexibility he may bring to a pro offense.

Journey to the NFL

Despite his decorated college career with Florida, Franklin ended up undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft. But his dream of playing in the NFL drove him, and he went to try out at a rookie minicamp with the Chicago Bears. The Bears were intrigued enough by his athleticism and upside to sign him as an undrafted free agent on May 14, 2018. Franklin's journey with the Bears was marked by a mix of highs and lows as he would get waived, only to be re-signed soon after before spending time on the practice squad.

Franklin's luck changed in November 2019 when he signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad. After that, he was called to the active roster in December 2019 and joined them for the Super Bowl LV-winning season on February 7, 2021. While he did not see the field once this season, being on a Super Bowl-winning team was undoubtedly a huge moment in his career.

In 2021, Franklin spent most of training camp with Tampa Bay but was waived heading into August. He was later suspended for misleading the NFL about his COVID-19 vaccination status and other issues. The no-nonsense Franklin next headed to the USFL and played for the Tampa Bay Bandits then with the Memphis Showboats, showing his enduring commitment to playing pro ball.

Current Status

In 2024, John Franklin III entered free agency after his most recent stint with the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Like many CFL players, Franklin's time in the league could be a stepping stone back to playing stateside.

Talents, Strengths, and Capabilities

At 6'1 "and 186 pounds, Franklin has the prototypical size to play at a high level. His speed and quickness make him a weapon on the football field, whether as a wide receiver or creating significant special teams plays.

His experience calling plays as a quarterback has also aided in-game recognition and understanding of defensive coverage, helping him process what is happening on the field at full speed quickly. His ability to play in multiple positions is a testament to his versatility, which is requested so often by players in today's game.

Challenges and Obstacles

Along his journey, Franklin has faced many obstacles. Switching from a quarterback to a wide receiver obviously forced him to modify not only his skill set but also how he viewed the game. He has also pushed through plenty of competition in his first NFL camp and been challenged by a long-term injury and suspensions.

It's no secret that the pressure to succeed on a grand scale and have all your actions scrutinized by public opinion can drive athletes crazy. Last Chance U was the first show that truly put Franklin on everyone's radar, and while it helped to shine a light on his past and current life, people also came with expectations for what he should be doing going forward.

Future Prospects

Franklin gives us a nice reminder about the type of work and perseverance required to make it in professional sports as he continues on his own development path. Who knows if he'll stick on an NFL roster or even continue to play in other leagues, but his tale of perseverance and the relentless chase is one for that dream.