ZAKHARI FRANKLIN NEWS

Scores vs. Gamecocks Franklin gathered in 4 of 7 targets for 39 yards and one touchdown during Tuesday's 21-17 victory versus South Carolina.

Impact Franklin scored his fourth touchdown of the season against South Carolina en route to Illinois' 10-win season. The wideout had an excellent bounce-back campaign after a down year with Ole Miss in 2023, reeling in 55 catches for 652 yards along with the four touchdowns this year. He'll have one season of eligibility remaining should he choose to use it.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go Saturday Franklin (undisclosed) is not listed on Illinois' injury report ahead of Saturday's game against Northwestern.

Impact Franklin, who suffered a soft-tissue injury during Week 13 against the Scarlet Knights, will be available for the Fighting Illini's season finale against the Wildcats. The 6-foot-1 senior wideout, who has logged 48 receptions for 559 yards and three touchdowns in his first season with Illinois after stops at UTSA and Mississippi, will look to stand out in what may be his final game at the collegiate level.

NOVEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to be available vs. 'Cats Franklin suffered a soft tissue injury against Rutgers, but is expected to be good to go against Northwestern, Joey Wagner of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Franklin's injury was sustained in-game against the Scarlet Knights, which helps explain why he failed to log a catch. The wideout should be good to go, however, for Illinois' rivalry game against Northwestern on Nov. 30.

NOVEMBER 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in victory Franklin hauled in 7 of 8 targets for 44 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 38-16 win versus Michigan State.

Impact Franklin connected with quarterback Luke Altmyer on a four-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to give the Fighting Illini a 21-6 lead at the time. The senior receiver led the team in receptions as well, converting eight of his targets for seven catches on the day. Franklin has had a productive season for the Illini, catching 48 passes for 559 yards and three touchdowns on the year. With two of his touchdowns coming in the last two games, Franklin will look to continue his positive momentum when the team travels to face Rutgers this coming Saturday.

NOVEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Finds end zone in loss Franklin notched five receptions (on 11 targets) for 71 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 25-17 defeat versus Minnesota.

Impact Franklin found the end zone on a 21-yard pass from quarterback Luke Altmyer in the third quarter, giving the Fighting Illini a 17-16 lead at the time. The senior receiver has now recorded back-to-back games with 11 targets and over 70 receiving yards, indicating that his role within the Illinois passing attack appears to be increasing down the stretch of the 2024 season. Franklin will hope to continue his positive momentum in a home battle against Michigan State following this week's bye.

NOVEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Leading receiver in loss Franklin tallied six receptions (on 10 targets) for 72 yards during Saturday's 38-9 loss against Oregon.

Impact Franklin led the team in receptions and yards on a day in which the Illinois offense largely found themselves outmatched by a superior Oregon team. The senior receiver was one of the few bright spots on the day for the Fighting Illini as he logged six or more catches for just the second time this season, also accounting for his second-highest yardage total of the season. Franklin has caught 36 passes for 444 yards and a single touchdown for the Fighting Illini through eight games this season and will hope to build on Saturday's performance in a home battle against Minnesota this coming Saturday.

OCTOBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in overtime thriller Franklin compiled four receptions (on eight targets) for 60 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 50-49 overtime win over Purdue.

Impact Franklin found the end zone on an eight-yard pass from quarterback Luke Altmyer in the second quarter to give the Fighting Illini a 17-3 lead over the Boilermakers. The senior receiver has had a fairly consistent role within the Illinois offense as of late, finishing with between 40 and 70 yards in each of the team's last four games, though his score today, his first of the season, is encouraging to see. Franklin's next opportunity will come against a tough Michigan defense this coming Saturday.

OCTOBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to action Friday Franklin (undisclosed) returned to Friday's game against Nebraska, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact The wideout missed most of Friday's game due to an injury, and the upcoming days will be key to determine whether he suffered a severe injury or not. Prior to his return to the game, Franklin had recorded five receptions for 50 yards.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Goes to medical tent Franklin went to the medical tent for Illinois' game Friday at Nebraska, Joey Wagner of 247Sports reports.

Impact Franklin going to the game's medical tent indicates a possibility he may not play for Illinois again Friday. He has five receptions for 50 yards.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Moderate showing in victory Franklin had five receptions (on eight targets) for 66 yards during Saturday's 30-9 win versus Central Michigan.

Impact Franklin's yardage and reception totals were each good for second on the team during Saturday's win over the Chippewas. The senior receiver has now recorded back-to-back games with five or more receptions and over 60 yards, indicating that his role within the Illinois offense can produce a semi-reliable floor, though his lack of touchdowns to start the season is reason for concern. Franklin will look to find the end zone against Nebraska in the Fighting Illini's conference opener on Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Addition Of Illini WR Zakhari Franklin Gives Offense Another Dimension The Illinois Fighting Illini figured to enter the season with Pat Bryant as the lead receiver. Turns out, they have a 1A and 1B. The additio...

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 • SI.COM

Productive day in victory Franklin hauled in 9 of 10 targets for 99 yards during Saturday's 23-17 win over Kansas.

Impact After a quiet opener against Eastern Illinois, Franklin led the team in both receptions and yards against the Jayhawks. The senior Ole Miss transfer came to Champaign looking for a larger role and Saturday is certainly a step in the right direction. Franklin will look to keep his positive momentum going when the Fighting Illini host Central Michigan on Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Familiarity could help Zakhari Franklin shine for Illini Second time's the charm for Illinois in adding talented wide receiver

JUNE 18, 2024 • NEWS-GAZETTE.COM

Enters transfer portal Franklin entered the transfer portal Monday, Pete Nakos of On3.com reports.

Impact Since he was not part of Mississippi's 2024 spring roster despite still having eligibility as a top receiver, it made sense that Franklin entered the transfer portal. Even though his 2023 season was marred by injury, his previous success is expected to be enough to garner significant interest.

APRIL 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Ole Miss WR Zakhari Franklin 'Chose Not To Play' vs. Georgia Lane Kiffin was vague when speaking on the status of wide receiver Zakhari Franklin, who was absent vs. the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday.

NOVEMBER 14, 2023 • SUNHERALD.COM

Status with team uncertain Head coach Lane Kiffin indicated Monday that Franklin's future with the program is uncertain, Tyler Komis of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Komis also reports Franklin is no longer with the program despite being listed on the roster. Kiffin also mentioned that the senior wide receiver made the trip with the team last week but ultimately decided himself to not play. He totaled four receptions on eight targets for 37 yards and one touchdown across four games.

NOVEMBER 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Participates in six snaps Franklin (undisclosed) participated in six snaps during Mississippi's game Saturday against Texas A&M.

Impact Franklin will go into mid-November an available but unpromising option. In contrast to his 2022 season, injuries have limited his 2023 to just four receptions for 38 yards and one touchdown. Franklin will have three weeks' worth of games to turn his season around. While matching 2022 will be an impossible task, he can at least end his 2023 on a positive note.

NOVEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

DNP against Vanderbilt Franklin (undisclosed) did not play during Mississippi's game Saturday against Vanderbilt.

Impact Franklin was a surprise absence during Mississippi's last game of October. Having played three matchups across 2023, he can play one more and still redshirt what has been a relatively down year for the wideout so far. However, redshirting is still far from a guarantee, and so his availability status will be questionable for the Rebels' upcoming game Nov. 4 against Texas A&M.

OCTOBER 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Finds pay dirt Saturday Franklin (undisclosed) logged two receptions (on three targets) for 15 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 28-21 win against Auburn.

Impact Franklin found the end zone in Week 8 for the first time in the season, and he can build off this performance to experience a bigger role going forward. His next chance to play will come against Vanderbilt on Oct. 28.

OCTOBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lane Kiffin Provides Update On Rebels WR Zakhari Franklin Zakhari Franklin’s status for Week 1’s matchup against Mercer remains a mystery.

AUGUST 29, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Ole Miss WR Zakhari Franklin Among Top 10 Receivers Entering 2024 NFL Draft A productive 2023 season with the Rebels could make Zakhari Franklin the next Ole Miss receiver drafted in the NFL.

JULY 14, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Ole Miss WR Zakhari Franklin 'Might Have 1,400 Yards' In 2023 Ole Miss Rebels transfer wide receiver Zakhari Franklin set UTSA Roadrunners program records with 262 career receptions, 3,348 yards and 37...

JULY 11, 2023 • KANSASCITY.COM

Ole Miss WR Zakhari Franklin Among Top 5 Most Impactful 2023 Transfers Making Jump to Power 5 After a historic career with the UTSA Roadrunners, Ole Miss Rebels receiver Zakhari Franklin is bringing his talents to the Power 5.

JUNE 19, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM