Blue White Illustrated

I n the next recruiting cycle, Penn State is poised to sign two recruits from Texas, as defensive backs Isaiah Humphries and Trent Gordon have both joined the Class of 2018. A glance through the history of Nittany Lion commitments shows that they will be the 4rst Lone Star State na- tives to sign with the Nittany Lions in al- most a decade. But they're not. In this year's incoming freshman class, there is someone who was born and raised in Arlington. When he arrives on campus this summer, he'll bring an extensive skill set and an abundance of raw athleticism, which the defensive coaches are eager to see as they work to mold him into one of the next students of Linebacker U. Brailyn Franklin signed with Penn State in the 2017 class out of Battle4eld High in Haymarket, Va. He had moved there to live with his father, Broderick, a5er living in Texas with his mother, LaTamra. It was a5er his sophomore season that Franklin made the decision to go to Vir- ginia. Before that, he had played for Bowie High and starred as a wide receiver, cor- nerback and return specialist in his 4rst year of high school football. When he arrived at Battle4eld, he joined a senior-laden team. At many of the skill positions, the Bobcats already had proven options returning to their spots. Leaving Texas, a place he had called home since birth, wasn't easy, he said, but "the hardest part of all was going to a new place and trying to get my name back out there again." Coming up through the peewee ranks back in Arlington, Franklin was one of those kids who would line up anywhere his coaches needed him. He's still like that, in fact. The 4rst position he ever played, at 6 years old, was linebacker. When he was 7, he was at center and defensive end, and the next year he played running back, tight end and linebacker. When he got to middle school, he caught passes on a full- time basis before moving to quarterback, where he was mostly an option threat who threw an occasional pass. Franklin missed his freshman year of football due to an injury, but to stay active he ran cross country. It was just another sport in a succession of them. He also has participated in track and 4eld since he was 5 years old, and at one point or an- other he was a swimmer, basketball player and a wrestler. Franklin is a multisport athlete in the truest sense, and his experience paid div- idends when he arrived at Battle4eld. With so many upperclassmen ahead of him on the depth chart, he had to be will- ing to play a position that even he had never played before. "Being me, I like to play anywhere," Franklin said. "I was like, you know what? I'd do anything to just get on the 4eld, and that's what I did." Battle4eld head coach Jared Van Acker, who now calls Franklin "one of the most athletic football players I've ever coached," told him that if he wanted to play, it would have to be on the defensive line, speci4cally, at nose guard. That's where the legend begins. Versatile athlete Franklin to fill need at Linebacker U | THE FRANKLIN FILE STATS Finished with 42 tackles as a senior, including 29 tackles for loss and eight sacks, and had two blocked kicks and four forced fum- bles... Had 22 tackles for loss, 17 sacks and three pass deflections as a junior... Was a two-year letterman at Battlefield High in Virginia and a one-year letterman at Bowie High in Texas... Also participated in wrestling, cross country and track HONORS Named a three-star re- cruit by Rivals.com, as well as the No. 24 player in Virginia and No. 57 outside linebacker na- tionally... Received first-team All-State honors as a senior from USA Today and the VHSL... In- ducted into the North- ern Virginia Football Hall of Fame Rivals.com said. "So when I went up there for my official visit, it was basically just to make sure that the coaches really wanted me and that I wasn't some backup plan for them. "We were in communication over that 4nal month or two, so it wasn't totally random. The talks on the phone were al- ways very positive, and it was the exact same way when we met in person. That's when I knew this was the place. It didn't take long." Brooks proudly announced his commit- ment on Jan. 30, the day a5er he returned home from his visit. 30. A5er playing in the Under Armour All-America Game earlier that month, where he was coached by former Nittany Lion great LaVar Ar- rington, it proved to be the perfect way to cap one of the craziest months of his life. "It was de4nitely stressful, no doubt about that," Brooks said, laughing. "But I wouldn't have wanted it to go any other way. Knowing that I'm going to be playing at Penn State now is a dream come true. I can't wait to work hard and make Nittany Nation proud." ■ CLICK HERE to see video of Franklin in action.

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