LOS ANGELES -- Johnathan Franklin entered UCLA as a reality TV star (and a safety for then-defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker) and left as the school’s all-time leading rusher. Although Franklin only played one season for head coach Jim Mora, there may not be a bigger fan of Franklin than Mora.
During the NFL Network’s coverage of the NFL Scouting Combine in February, the network’s Draft Analyst, Mike Mayock, received a text from Mora as he was breaking down Franklin’s talents as they relate to the NFL.
“You’re not getting it with Johnathan,” Mayock recalled the text. “Mike, you’re not getting it. This kid’s more special than you’re giving him (credit for).
“I could tell him all day long (Franklin) was going to go in the fourth or fifth round,” Mayock continued, “and he was going to pound the table and say ‘He’s better than that,’ because he felt it.”
It was Mora’s belief that his tailback’s talents demanded better than a third-day grade.
Despite all of Mora’s NFL experience, Mayock hit the nail on the head when Franklin was selected in the fourth round by the Green Bay Packers. The former Dorsey star may be considered a change of pace back behind the Packers’ second-round selection, Eddie Lacy.
For UCLA, however, Franklin was closer to an every-down back. He can carry the ball, catch it out of the backfield and stay in to pass protect. The question now is how will Mora and the Bruins replace the player known as The Mayor?
“We won’t have a mayor this year,” said offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone. “We got the house of representatives now in our backfield.”
Added Mora: “I don’t know that one person is ever going to replace what Johnathan did, but I think that through the course of fall camp two or three or maybe even four guys will emerge and we’ll say ‘OK, we can hand the ball to this guy or pitch it to him or throw it to him,’ and he’s going to be able to be productive for us and as a group we’re going to be able to hopefully replace Johnathan’s production.”
That production included 2,062 all purpose yards leading to him being the school’s all-time leader. He also rushed for a UCLA single season record 1,734 yards, and tallied nine 100-yard rushing games while being named a Doak Walker Award finalist in 2012.
This upcoming season appears to be more of a running back by committee, as Mora and Mazzone alluded to. The spring game wasn’t very much of an indicator of what type of production the team looks to get from Franklin’s replacements.
Somehow, some way the unit of Jordon James, Steven Manfro, Paul Perkins, and now walk-on Malcolm Jones, who combined for 295 rush yards last season, are going to have to come together to fill the void.
The true answer could come from quarterback Brett Hundley, who was the team’s second leading rusher last season with 355 yards and will look to use his legs more in 2013.
“I believe in our running backs and our pass game for sure,” Hundley said. “We’re going to air it out and our running backs are going to get the running yards they need but when I get the ball in my hand, I’m going to take off running when I need to.”
That could be more often than not.
It won’t take UCLA fans long to start "getting it" – Franklin will be missed.
