The Miami football program gained much-needed depth with the signing of Thad Franklin and commitment from former Tennessee signee Cody Brown in the Class of 2021. At 6’0, 225 pounds, Franklin is the tough grinding runner Miami needed to sign. The Hurricanes return Don Chaney Jr., Cam’Ron Harris, Jaylan Knighton at RB.
Playing for Chaminade-Madonna in Hollywood, Franklin ran for 5,174 yards, 9.0 yards per carry, 16 100-yard games and 51 touchdowns in 41 games. The 247 Sports composite ranks Franklin as the 244th best player, 12th best RB and 34th ranked player in Florida. Franklin proved during as a junior he can handle a heavy workload.
Franklin averaged 20.57 yards per carry during a junior season when Franklin led Chaminade-Madonna to the Class 3A Florida State championship. In the 2019 35-20 title game victory over Florida High of Tallahassee, Franklin had 47 carries for 333 yards and five TDs. It’s doubtful he will have that workload in a game for Miami.
Franklin will be the biggest RB on the Miami football roster. Chaney is 5’10, 208 pounds, Knighton 5’10, 190 and Harris 5’10, 210. Brown is listed at 6’0, 217 on his 247 Sports profile. Miami head coach Manny Diaz discussed what Franklin will bring to the Hurricanes as quoted by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald this week.
"“Thad has been an explosive running back here in Broward County for the last few years. A strong runner, can run through tackles. He’s got good feet to avoid a low tackle, and just a powerful lower-body guy. He really has been mowing up yards at Chaminade over the course of his career.You see great vision to get through the hole and then the ability to make a safety miss and take it all the way.”"
Franklin could be used in short-yardage in 2021. The prospect of Franklin getting a high amount of carries points more to 2022. Harris has two seasons of eligibility remaining, but most analysts project him to leave following the 2021 season. If Harris departs, that likely leaves Brown, Chaney, Franklin and Knighton at RB for Miami.
The Hurricanes do not have a commitment from a RB in the Class of 2022. Miami has four RB prospects they are considering according to 247. Miami offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee earlier this spring said he wants a bell cow RB. Franklin has the profile to handle that in the future, just not likely in 2021.