Running back Thad Franklin has a chance to be the closer for the Miami football team in 2022. Franklin was critical for Miami in the fourth quarter in the victory over Virginia Tech. In the 38-26 victory over the Hokies, Franklin had eight carries for 38 yards in the fourth quarter. Franklin should have a bigger role in 2022.
At 6’0, 240 pounds, Franklin can wear down a tiring defense. Franklin is the perfect complement to explosive starting RB Jaylan Knighton. According to David Lake of Inside the U, Franklin played 54 snaps in 2021. Franklin ran for 174 yards on 23 carries with two touchdowns in 2021 in the limited playing time.
The fourth quarter was Franklin’s time. Franklin had 13 carries for 93 yards, six first downs and a TD in the fourth quarter in 2021. In the first three quarters, Franklin ran 10 times for 79 yards, five first TDs and one TD. The tough physical running style Franklin has will fit the system Mario Cristobal will want on offense.
Franklin moves the sticks on first down. The true freshman had 21 carries for 157 yards, nine first downs, four carries of 10 more yards, two of 20 plus and both touchdowns on first or second down. Opposing defenses will have to adjust from Knighton’s explosiveness to Franklin’s physicality in the second half.
Earlier in the season when the Miami football team lost starting RB Cam’Ron Harris and second-team DonChaney Jr. for the year. Knighton had almost all the carries for several games. Knighton missed the first four games of the 2021 season. Miami is talented at RB but likely needs to add more depth for 2022.
Chaney will return from a torn ACL. Cody Brown signed with Franklin in 2021. At 5’11 215 pounds Brown gives Miami another physical RB. Brown had 34 carries for 139 yards and three TDs in 2021. Chaney will almost certainly be out during spring practice. That provides Brown and Franklin more reps.
With Cristobal as the head coach expect Miami to commit more to the run. The Hurricanes were 97th nationally this season averaging 127.67 rushing yards per game and with 3.69 yards per carry. With Cristobal as head coach, those numbers will not be acceptable. Miami will play more physically under Cristobal.