Interview: Kentucky 2017 LB/DE Steven Franklin Releases Top 10 Schools

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Being one of the top players in any given state says a lot, but being considered a top player while coming from a small school (2A – District 3) speaks volumes to the amount of respect said player is given by coaches and media alike. Glasgow High School’s Steven Franklin is one of those guys.

Franklin has taken advantage of the Scotties’ small school construct starting at the varsity level since his freshman year. The now 6’1”, 225 pound, talent has played everywhere on the field one could seemingly play seeing Franklin at nose guard, defensive tackle, tight end, and fullback, just to name a few. Where Franklin has shined brightest so far is at defensive end. But even that might change a little in 2016 with his role opening up during his senior campaign.

Despite the myriad of positions played, college coaches like what they see in Franklin. They know he is athletic enough to play at the next level but the debate, which may depend on how Franklin grows, is at defensive end or linebacker. The Kentucky talent has pulled in offers from Army, Northern Illinois, Toledo, Youngstown State, Tulane, Illinois State, Cornell, Washington State, and Eastern Michigan along with some from NAIA schools. The amount of teams showing Division-I interest could easily double his scholarship offer total in the upcoming weeks. Among the many laying the groundwork to a potential offer includes Kentucky, Louisville, Purdue, Cincinnati, Western Kentucky, Marshall, and Vanderbilt among others.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Franklin to go over his 2015 season, offseason workouts, and received breaking news on his recruitment status.

Interview

Steven, how long have you been playing football at the varsity level?

“I’ve been playing varsity since my freshman year.”

Which positions have you played during your three years?

“I’ve played nose guard, the three (defensive tackle), defensive end, linebacker, tight end, fullback, and offensive tackle. We are a small school so I have played it all. I’m starting at offensive tackle next season.”

Are you excited about playing offensive tackle next season?

“I wasn’t when Coach (Jeff) Garmon first told me. I was afraid I was going to get tired on defense. In spring ball though, it is fun. You get to drop back and let the linemen come to you. When you get control of them it is fun they can’t go anywhere.”

Has playing offensive tackle helped you as defensive end?

“Yes sir. It has helped tremendously. You have to have good footwork and hand work to play tackle. You have to be able to come down on running plays, pass block, and have good hips to do it all. It has helped me a lot. It has helped me on both sides of the ball.”

What are your strengths on the field as a defensive end and outside linebacker?

“At linebacker, I have played it twice and at camps. What helps me at linebacker, I’ve been playing football since I was six. My dad (Steve Franklin, played at Glasgow) was a big time player here. I can come up to the line and diagnose the plays quick and tell my team the offensive set.

“At defensive end, my quickness is my strength. I’m quick off the ball. If you beat me with quickness, I will use my power to beat you. I have good footwork. At defensive end, I can beat any offensive tackle out there. I don’t back down from anybody.”

Did you earn any individual honors at the end of last year?

“I was the outright No. 1 defensive end in the Sky Conference, All-State honorable mention, and outright No. 1 defensive end All-District team, 2A Pre-season All-State, and I’m the No. 8 pre-season player in Kentucky (2016).”

Impressive. What are you working on this offseason to prepare for your senior year?

“I’ve been playing strong-side defensive end, this year I’m going to weak-side defensive end. I’ll stand up this year off the edge. I’m working on getting off the line standing up and working on using my hands more. I’m getting use to using my hands from a stand-up position. At the weak-side, you don’t have as much contain, but you still have to be a big anchor. On weak-side you don’t have that rover behind you. I’m working on containing the line more.”

Have you maxed out in any football lifts this offseason?

“My bench is 375 bench and my squat is 495. At our school, we do a lot of agility work, ladders, and stuff like that which will impact us on the field.”

What are your goals for the 2016 football season?

“My personal goals – I’ve done a lot at the high school level but my goal is win District Player of the Year. I want to win District Player of the Year outright. I want to get the sack record at my high school and be a leader on the team. That is what I really want to do, be a better leader. I want to lead us to a state championship.”

You mentioned the school sack record. What is the record and how many sacks are you away from tying or breaking the record?

“I think the most by a defensive lineman is 26 in a four-year span. Right now I am at 16. The team historian, our school has been playing football since 1919, said I am 98 tackles away from breaking the school record for total tackles. I don’t think I’ll get that playing weak-side defensive end this season.”

Which schools have extended offers to you so far?

“Army, Northern Illinois, Toledo, Youngstown State, Tulane, Illinois State, Cornell, Washington State, and Eastern Michigan. I have a NAIA offer and I might be getting another one from a NAIA school soon.”

Which schools are showing heavier interest in you but have not offered you yet?

“Kentucky, Louisville, and Purdue. Purdue sends me mail every couple of days, handwritten letters, asking me to come up to camp with an offer on the table. With Kentucky, Coach (Jimmy) Brumbaugh (defensive line) wants to offer not sure about my size. Will I play outside linebacker, defensive end, or inside linebacker? They want me to come to camp to work with Coach (D.J.) Elliot (defensive coordinator/linebackers) some. I camped there last year as a defensive end. I’ve been to Louisville five times. They are chill guys. Coach K (Chris Klenakis – offensive line coach) is coming this week or next week to see me.”

Of the schools that have offered you, which ones are maybe pushing a little bit harder than the others trying to get your verbal commitment?

“Eastern Michigan – Coach Frakes (defensive coordinator) texts me all the time. They came down to see me. That shows me they want me coming to a small school. Toledo is another. With Northwestern, Coach (Chris) Bowers (director of player personnel) is in touch with me. I’m trying to get down to see them. They were one of the first schools that started recruiting me hard. Those are the ones recruiting me hard. Before the season starts – I have some schools I’m talking to right now that I think will offer.”

Which schools have you unofficially visited?

“I’ve been to Louisville like five times, UK (Kentucky) two or three times, Western Kentucky – my cousin plays there, I’ve been there seven or eight times, Marshall, Vanderbilt, and Tennessee. I was planning a visit to Ohio to see Coach Izzy but I went to Rivals camp. It was snowing that weekend so I did not make that visit.”

Do you have any upcoming visits planned?

“Yes sir. I’m planning on visiting Middle Tennessee on the 29th, Kentucky in June for a camp, Austin Peay (State) the week after I camp with Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky – I’m visiting them end of this month, and then I head to Louisville for a camp there too.”

What are you looking for on your upcoming visits?

“I tell all coaches I look for three things. The first thing, are the coaches going to be like my parents? Will they support me and answer questions when I have them? When I get there, will I have that family connection with my teammates and is the campus good? My No. 3 thing is, how is my playing time looking? Will I have to sit out for three years, will I redshirt, rotate in early, or play early? Those are my three main keys – coaching staff, teammates, and playing time.”

Since you have so many offers, do you have a timeline on when you want to commit?

“I’m talking to my coach about this. We are going to sit down and go over it. I was going to commit after the season but I’ve been thinking about it. When some of the coaches come to our school, that takes away from me getting better and focusing on our team. August 22 is when the season starts. If I commit then, I don’t have to worry about the coaches and I can focus on the season. I’ll probably do it before the season.”

Do you have a list of your top teams yet?

“I have my Top 10 teams. In no order: Eastern Michigan, Purdue, Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, Ohio, Cincy (Cincinnati), Notre Dame, EKU (Eastern Kentucky), and Austin Peay.”

Steven, thanks for your time today and good luck with all your upcoming visits and camps.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Franklin family; Steven Franklin at Kentucky

Photo credit: Franklin family; Steven Franklin at Louisville

Photo credit: scout.com; No. 75 Steven Franklin