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Johnathan Franklin | Running Back

Team: UCLA Bruins
Age / DOB:  (23) / 10/23/1989
Ht / Wt:  5'10' / 195

Latest News

Recent News

Packers traded up to select UCLA RB Johnathan Franklin with the No. 125 overall pick, sending Nos. 146 and 173 to the Broncos.
The Packers rebuilt their beleaguered running back room in the span of two days. By scooping up Eddie Lacy at No. 61 and now Franklin, they've added the two backs many scouts felt were the top-two players available at their position. Franklin (5-foot-10, 205) broke out as a senior for Jim Mora's Bruins, setting career highs in carries (282), yards (1,734), YPC (6.15), touchdowns (15), and receptions (33). Pound for pound the best runner in this class, Franklin is a darting back with deceptive lower-body power who excels both inside and outside the tackle box. His acceleration through tight spaces jumps off the screen. With 4.49 speed and a legit three-down skill set, Franklin's game is similar to Ray Rice. He's an ideal complement to Lacy. Apr 27 - 1:36 PM

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Player News

Date:
Johnathan Franklin - RB - Bruins

ESPN's K.C. Joyner writes UCLA RB Jonathan Franklin had the highest good blocking yards per attempt of all running backs.

"In an 11-game review of his 2012 season, Franklin racked up 10.1 good blocking yards per attempt (GBYPA), which gauges a running back's productivity when he receives good blocking. That is a higher total than the GBYPA marks posted last year by Eddie Lacy (9.4), Andre Ellington (8.3), Marcus Lattimore (7.8) and Le'Veon Bell (5.6)." Franklin is one of our favorite runners in this year's draft, especially because he's shown improvement in the last two years as a ball-carrier. We view him as a second-round prospect.
Source: ESPN.com
Apr 22 - 3:01 PM
Johnathan Franklin - RB - Bruins

Draft insider Tony Pauline has been told a number of teams prefer UCLA RB Johnathan Franklin over Alabama RB Eddie Lacy.

This isn't a surprise. The makeup of team's boards varies dramatically, and Franklin has excelled in the pre-draft process while Lacy has limped through it. The two have different styles, with Lacy winning with breaking first contact and Franklin using great vision to find home run lanes. Both could be early second-rounders.
Source: Tony Pauline on Twitter
Apr 21 - 2:35 PM
Johnathan Franklin - RB - Bruins

UCLA RB Johnathan Franklin worked out for the Falcons on Saturday.

A group of Falcons' officials, said to include general manager Thomas Dimitroff, traveled to California to work out a handful of prospects. Franklin will likely draw a second-round pick in April, and some believe he could become the top runner in this year's class.
Source: Tony Pauline on Twitter
Apr 7 - 12:22 PM
Johnathan Franklin - RB - Bruins

Draft Insider Tony Pauline reports UCLA RB Johnathan Franklin visited the St. Louis Rams on April 3 and will meet with the Pittsburgh Steelers on April 4.

Both teams are in need of a running back and love running the football, so Franklin is most certainly an option. He's an explosive player that runs hard and has improved over the course of the last couple of seasons, particularly his vision and ball security. He is reportedly rising up draft boards, per Pauline.
Source: Tony Pauline on Twitter
Apr 3 - 7:45 PM
Johnathan Franklin - RB - Bruins

Draft insider Tony Pauline warns to "mark down" UCLA RB Johnathan Franklin as a second-round target by the Jets.

The team is "very high on the RB and a terrific fit for Mornhinweg's offense," Pauline tweeted. Along with the Jets, Pauline listed the Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, St. Louis Rams and San Diego Chargers as possible destinations.
Source: Tony Pauline on Twitter
Mar 13 - 10:17 AM
Johnathan Franklin - RB - Bruins

NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah prefers UCLA RB Johnathan Franklin over Wisconsin product Montee Ball.

We agree. "I'm a few games into my study of Jonathan Franklin. I'm a fan," Jeremiah tweeted. "He's explosive and runs bigger than his size." The Bruin runner has excellent straight-line speed to generate big chunks of yards coupled with good backside vision to find running lanes. Like Jeremiah says, Franklin plays bigger than his size.
Source: Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter
Mar 12 - 11:08 AM
Johnathan Franklin - RB - Bruins

Draft Insider's Tony Pauline writes that many are comparing UCLA RB Johnathan Franklin to San Francisco 49ers RB Frank Gore.

Pauline noted Franklin's pass-catching ability and ability to "turn on a dime" at full speed. Franklin is one of the rising running backs in this year's class, although we've had him rated fairly high since the college football season began. He is quick, decisive and agile.
Source: USA Today
Feb 26 - 6:09 PM
Johnathan Franklin - RB - Bruins

Scouts Inc.'s Kevin Weidl believes UCLA's Johnathan Franklin is strictly a third down RB.

Weidl calls Franklin a tough assignment in pass protection and notes his versatility, but was "underwhelming as a runner." Franklin improved form the 2011 to 2012 season, showing more agility at the second level and in the open field. We expect him to be a second or early third day selection.
Source: Kevin Weidl on Twitter
Feb 19 - 9:37 AM
Johnathan Franklin - RB - Bruins

UCLA senior RB Johnathan Franklin was held to 34 rushing yards on 14 carries against Baylor in the team's bowl loss.

Franklin was given very little space as Baylor was able to get upfield and shut down the senior's momentum. This was easily Franklin's worst performance of the season but a good week in Mobile during the Senior Bowl would go a long way towards earning a third-round selection.
Fri, Dec 28, 2012 10:02:00 AM
Johnathan Franklin - RB - Bruins

UCLA RB Johnathan Franklin will attend the Senior Bowl.

Franklin put forth a great senior season with multiple high-yardage performances. We think he looked a bit leaner this year while making more tacklers miss at the second level. He is definitely a candidate for an early third day selection.
Source: Senior Bowl on Twitter
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 02:17:00 PM
Johnathan Franklin - RB - Bruins

UCLA RB Johnathan Franklin rushed for 194 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries Friday against UCLA.

Franklin has really broken out this season and looks leaner while running the ball more aggressively. He may not have that break away speed or more than complementary skills, but Franklin should be selected in the Draft's third day with a possible shot at the third-round.
Sat, Dec 1, 2012 11:11:00 AM
Johnathan Franklin - RB - Bruins

UCLA senior RB Johnathan Franklin only needs 21 rushing yards against Arizona to top the school's career record.

The senior started the season on a tear and has rushed for over 100 yards in six of games this season. Franklin shared the load as a junior but has shown enough this season in full time duty to warrant a mid to late round selection.
Source: Orange County Register
Fri, Nov 2, 2012 10:35:00 AM
Johnathan Franklin - RB - Bruins

UCLA senior RB Johnathan Franklin rushed for 164 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries Saturday against Arizona State.

Franklin had a long run of 31 yards and produced his best performance in two weeks. The senior started the year red hot and has only be held to under 100 rushing yards on two occasions. Expect Franklin to draw a third day selection.
Sat, Oct 27, 2012 06:31:00 PM
Johnathan Franklin - RB - Bruins

UCLA senior RB Johnathan Franklin rushed for 79 yards and one touchdown on 22 carries Saturday against Utah.

Franklin's lone touchdown came from three yards out and he has failed to continue the excellent momentum he started the season with. At best the senior appears to be a second day pick, with a mid third day selection looking likely. He's a complementary runner, not a lead back.
Sat, Oct 13, 2012 06:29:00 PM