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Ole Miss Football: What’s the future for Zakhari Franklin

By Jordan Merritt

Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Zakhari Franklin (5) celebrates his touchdown reception in the first quarter Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.
Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Zakhari Franklin (5) celebrates his touchdown reception in the first quarter Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. /
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In today’s Louisiana-Monroe game week presser, head coach Lane Kiffin gave an update on senior wide receiver Zakhari Franklin and his status going forward.

Today was the weekly press conference for the Louisiana-Monroe game, with Lane Kiffin answering a number of questions from the media.

One of the questions that came up was about wide receiver Zakhari Franklin.

Kiffin confirmed he made the trip with the team. However, Franklin himself made the decision not to play in the game. The 4th year HC of the Rebels also admitted he wasn’t sure what the future holds going forward for Franklin.

“He did make the trip,” Kiffin said. “I don’t know the plan for him the rest of the year. So, he ended up ‒ by his decision ‒ not playing. So, you’d have to ask him.”

When the question was asked, you could see from the reaction, that Kiffin was uncomfortable with answering. He took several seconds to answer, looking like he was trying to find the correct words.

Franklin, who played at UTSA for four seasons was one of the top players that entered the transfer portal in the off-season. The Senior wide receiver had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with the Roadrunners, totalling  37 touchdowns across his 4 seasons.

Unfortunately, Franklin picked up an injury in fall camp, keeping him out of the first 3 games of the season. Since then, he has struggled to nail down opportunities, finding himself behind Tre Harris, Jordan Watkins and Dayton Wade in the pecking order.

He has registered just 4 receptions for 38 yards and a touchdown for the Rebels in his 3 appearances for the Rebels.

The focus will shift towards the senior day on Saturday against Louisiana-Monroe. Kiffin will be looking to get back to winning ways, before the big rivalry game against Mississippi State on Nov.23.

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