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Notre Dame Football Recruiting

2018 MD DT Hearing from Elko

February 22, 2017
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2018 North Caroline (Md.) defensive lineman Ja’mion Franklin was relaxing last week when he was notified Notre Dame defensive coordinator Mike Elko had followed him on Twitter. The 6-foot-3, 305-pounder took things from there.

“It was a pretty good feeling,” Franklin said of his exchange with Elko. “It was out of the blue on Twitter. He followed me and I followed him back. I told him I appreciated the follow and said he had got done watching my film. He was impressed with my tape and was looking forward to getting me on campus.”

The three-star prospect has had a visit on South Bend on his mind for a while because former are recruiter Scott Booker had been in contact with him previously. When Elko reached out, Franklin was more than excited to hear the Irish wanted him to visit.  

“I really want to get to Notre Dame,” stated Franklin. “I have been wanting to go to Notre Dame for a long time. I’ve talked to coach Scott Booker before so I have been wanting to get up there.”

Franklin has also showed patience during the recruiting process. A month ago, the Maryland native didn’t have an offer. Now he has offers from Boston College, Duke, Louisville, Northwestern, Temple, Vanderbilt, Virginia and Wake Forest to name a few.

“It’ a terrific feeling,” laughed Franklin. “It’s great to finally see my hard work is paying off. I feel like I have been an underdog for a while because I go to such a small school.

“Things really started picking up a month ago. I had no offers and now I have a 11. I am just blessed.”

With the offers comes pressure to make a decision but also not fall into being content. Franklin is enjoying seeing the fruits of his labor and isn’t settling for what he has, especially when he has schools like Notre Dame reaching out.  

“It’s a mixed feeling of emotions,” explained Franklin. “It’s a surreal feeling to get these offers because it’s a such a small chance to even get the opportunity to walk-on. It makes me want to work harder. I am getting noticed but I am not close to where I want to be at. I am always trying to improve so I have to keep working harder to get to where I want to be.”

When it comes to his game, Franklin prides himself on his power game and being able to hold down the middle of the line. He also believes his athleticism is another strength.

“I feel like I am both physical and finesse,” he stated. “For a guy my size, I am pretty nimble and quick. My coach has been telling me that I dominate the point of attack and I have good pursuit. I used my hands well too.

“A lot of teams like me at nose guard but some coaches have said I might be able to play 3-tech with my athleticism.”

Franklin visited Temple over the weekend and will look to head out to some other places over the offseason. He is taking his trips seriously and wants to learn about each program but also get a feel for the people on each campus.  

“Right now when I go on visits, I am looking at little things,” said Franklin. “I am looking at how the coaches interact with everyone. I am looking at the community and the campus. I want to see how people treat the team and little things I would enjoy if I were to go to that school.”


 
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