Franklin reunites with Barry Lunney Jr. after the two enjoyed remarkable success together at UTSA.
Barry Lunney Jr., Illinois’ offensive coordinator, is reunited with one of the top offensive weapons from his former post. Ole Miss transfer wide receiver Zakhari Franklin, who flourished at UTSA under Lunney from 2020 to 2021, announced his transfer to Illinois on Thursday. Franklin leads the NCAA in active career receiving yards (3,366), with 266 grabs and 38 touchdowns in 50 games.
According to 247Sports, Franklin is a three-star transfer prospect and the No. 136 transfer wide receiver this offseason.
Franklin was one of last spring’s most anticipated transfers, headed to Ole Miss to prove himself in the SEC. However, Franklin appeared in only four games, lost time due to an injury, and then redshirted, finishing with four receptions for 38 yards.
Franklin was one of the most productive receivers in the country at UTSA from 2021-22, catching 175 catches for 2,163 yards and 27 touchdowns, and he played two seasons (2020-21) under current Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. with the Roadrunners.
Why this matters: Franklin is the second high-profile transfer Illinois has added to a key position since the completion of spring practice. Terrance Brooks, a four-star Texas transfer cornerback, committed to Illinois last month. Illinois appears to have used all their scholarship allotment for the 2024 roster.
What it means: While Illinois has a lot of fascinating wide receiver potential, Franklin provides Lunney and first-year Illini wide receivers coach Justin Stepp with a seasoned veteran who will considerably raise the floor for this position group. After losing Casey Washington and Isaiah Williams to the NFL, the Illini now have only one established option: Pat Bryant, who has 83 receptions for 1,111 yards and nine touchdowns in three seasons at Illinois. Sophomores Malik Elzy and Ashton Hollins have shown flashes, but consistency appeared to be an issue during spring practice as they climbed to bigger responsibilities.
Franklin and Bryant provide a formidable Big Ten tandem for Illini junior quarterback Luke Altmyer, potentially resulting in a highly effective throwing attack. Bottom line, Franklin is one of the more visible transfer signings during Bielema’s career at Illinois, and he has a chance to be one of the Big Ten’s most productive receivers in a potentially explosive passing offense.
How he fits: Franklin should be a day one starter in an offense he is familiar with and has proven successful in. He has 3,386 receiving yards and 38 touchdowns in his career so far. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound wide receiver from Cedar Hill (Texas) has good size and speed, but he is also an excellent route runner with strong hands and long arms. He thrived in an RPO-based scheme at UTSA, which we expect Lunney to use more this season, since he does the majority of his damage with short slants and intermediate routes, as well as the ability to make plays after the catch, while he can also win on contested receptions out deep. Franklin might also allow Illinois to have three formidable wideouts, with Elzy on the perimeter and either Bryant or Franklin attempting to generate favorable matchups in the slot.
