Noah Knapp picks Army
Brailyn Franklin joins the Nittany Lions’ 2017 recruiting class
by Jim McGrath, recruitNoVA
Battlefield’s Brailyn Franklin announced his intention to play for the Nittany Lions of Penn State on Tuesday. He will be the Lions 13th commitment from the class of 2017.
Franklin made his announcement over social media, and Penn State emerged as the winner over Maryland, Temple, Virginia Tech, and Syracuse.
Franklin most recently visited Penn State in July, and cited the relationship he has built with defensive coordinator Brent Pry and head coach James Franklin (no relation), as one of several reasons why he is choosing to play in Happy Valley.
Franklin, who is currently listed at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, is considered the nation’s 61st-overall athlete and the 25th-ranked prospect from Virginia this cycle, according to the 247Sports Composite. Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Brent Pry, who recruited Franklin, sees the Haymarket native as an outside linebacker in Penn State’s 4-3 scheme. Franklin joins Brelin Faison-Walden and Dylan Rivers as the future of the Penn State defense, also known as Linebacker U. because of the many great linebackers who have thrived in the NFL. Franklin has the size and speed to grow into a formidable presence at the field linebacker spot.
“Franklin is a long, athletic playmaker on defense,” wrote Scout’s Michael Clark recently. “He has an explosive first step and does a nice job using his hands to disengage from defenders. Franklin shows good anticipation and plays fast.”
“He also runs extremely well (4.74 in the 40) and closes quickly on the football. He needs to continue to get stronger and add weight to his frame, but he has big upside and the potential to become a dynamic defensive player at the next level.”
Franklin currently plays nose guard, linebacker and wide receiver at Battlefield. Says Coach Jared Van Acker, who announced the decision directly to Recruit NoVA, “he has great speed, great hands and runs great routes.”
– Jim McGrath
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