Notre Dame DL Ja'mion Franklin Staying Resilient

Notre Dame defensive lineman Ja’mion Franklin saw his freshman campaign start and finish in a matter of seconds. 

The 6-foot-3, 306-pounder got his first snaps against Wake Forest but a few plays in, Franklin suffered a quad tendon injury, which was severe enough it needed to be reattached. 

Fast forward to January and Franklin has embraced rehab and hopes to get back on the field for non-contact work during the spring. 

“I'm feeling pretty good,” stated Franklin at the Cotton Bowl’s Media Day. “Spring ball doesn’t look like it’s in question. When it comes to contact, after talking with the trainers, there’s a possibility I’ll be able to do drills and stuff.” 

While he might not be able to take contact this spring, it’s still a significant step forward for Franklin and will keep his confidence even higher as he would be able to run around with his teammates.

“It’d be huge,” Franklin said of participating in drills. “It sucked to not be around the team when I first got surgery and my confidence was down. Everyone lifted me up. The defensive line is a close-knit group and a brotherhood. Everyone is always checking in on me to see if I needed anything.

“Nothing really changed. I didn’t feel like an outcast being hurt.” 

Over the past three months, Franklin could have let himself slip, but he stayed positive, gained strength in his upper body and focused on his work in the classroom.

“I really learned what kind of person I am and that’s a resilient guy,” explained Franklin. “A lot of people crash and let their academics slip when they get injured. I finished strong and I’ve been doing everything in rehab. I’ve gotten stronger in the weight room when it comes to upper body and single leg stuff.

“I found out what type of character I have. I’m a strong-willed guy who isn’t going to give up.” 

Franklin’s return home for Christmas break was well received as the Irish were in the playoffs and there is a strong Notre Dame fanbase in Maryland. 

“I had some bragging rights,” laughed Franklin. “Everyone was asking how I’m doing, so nothing really changed when I went home.

“A lot of people wanted me to stay home, but there were a lot of people who just loved Notre Dame. That was crazy being so far away.”