Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com MARCH 2018 45 2018 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE want to make the relationship with him last much longer than football. "It was a no-brainer. Everyone was questioning me and asking if I was sure. It's my father, and I would do anything for him." Support has poured in during the last few months from friends and family. "It's the best commu- nity around," Franklin said of Ridgely. "It's deeper than football … I love where I'm from, and I'll continue to put on for it. "Everyone just sup- ported me, and it's not just because I'm a good football player. … It's a testament to my charac- ter and that I was raised the right way. I can't be grateful enough for the support and help from everyone." His father 's cancer had impacted Franklin in many ways. "It shows you that anything can happen in life," he said. "I was down, depressed, upset and confused. I'm blessed to have people in my corner to support me and my dad. Gold bless them. … We've been here for each other, and I'm a way better man. "I had to grow up faster than most people have to. I was the only person who could drive, so I was driving my mom to work and sister to school. "I'm grateful to have the experience to be there for my family, to step up and have an- other outlook on life." When Franklin ar- rives at Notre Dame and adds his toughness and competitive fire to the defensive line room, he won't stop fighting and pushing. Just like he knows his father won't. " E v e r y o n e h a s a story to tell, and this will be part of mine," Franklin said. "We're still going through this chapter now, but at the end it'll all be worth it." ✦ JA'MION FRANKLIN DEFENSIVE TACKLE 6-1 · 296 NORTH CAROLINE H.S. RIDGELY, MD. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ — 34 11 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 60 14 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 41 15 STATISTICS • Registered 45 stops, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks, four forced fumbles, three passes broken up and one blocked punt that he returned for a touchdown as a senior. • Recorded 63 tackles, six sacks and five forced fumbles during his junior season. HONORS • Named the 2017 Bayside Conference Defensive Player of the Year by the league's coaches. • Tabbed as a first-team All-Bayside Conference performer following his junior and senior campaigns. ALL-STAR GAMES AND CAMPS • Played in the Maryland Crab Bowl, which showcases top senior talent in the Mid-Atlantic region, on Dec. 18, 2017. • Participated in Nike Football's The Opening Finals in Beaverton, Ore., June 28-July 3, 2017. • Took part in Nike Football's The Opening Wash- ington (D.C.) Regional on April 26, 2017. Recorded a 40-foot power ball toss. RECRUITMENT • Committed to Notre Dame on June 6, 2017, over offers from Boston College, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Louisville, Northwestern, Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Wake Forest and Wisconsin, among others. • Primarily recruited by former defensive co- ordinator Mike Elko, defensive line coach Mike Elston and current defensive coordinator Clark Lea. • Landed his offer during a March visit. Re- turned for the USC game on Oct. 21, 2017, and took his official for the Echoes Banquet on Dec. 8, 2017. NOTABLE • Born on Nov. 13, 1999. • Plans to major in communications and wants to turn his degree into a career in broadcasting. • Also plays basketball at North Caroline. • Transferred to Baltimore Gilman for his soph- omore season, but transferred back to North Caroline and played his final two prep seasons there. • Played for North Caroline as a freshman. • Finished as the state runner-up in discus and shot put last spring. 2018 PROJECTION • Franklin has the strength and power to play early, but the Irish depth chart is deep at nose tackle. THEY SAID IT Head coach Brian Kelly: "Ja'Mion has the ability to play the shade for us. He has that ability to lock- out, hold the point, but also has that quickness at the position. He's going to be a 300-plus player at that position where you've got to have the ability to hold the point in there." Defensive line coach Mike Elston: "I wanted to add toughness. … We identified Ja'Mion very early as someone who's going to add an aggressiveness and a toughness. "He was a marquee get for us because of that. … I had a chance to watch him play, and he's dis- ruptive, physical and aggressive. That's what we wanted to add to the defensive tackle group." BGI football analyst Bryan Driskell: "Franklin brings a swagger to the defensive line position that Notre Dame desperately needs. The North Caroline standout will add leadership and tough- ness to the line, which it has been lacking at times in recent seasons. "He is a thick, physical and stout interior player that is perfect for Notre Dame's nose tackle posi- tion. This system doesn't need a two-gapping run plugger who eats up space. Franklin can do that, but this defense desires playmakers up front and Franklin can make plays. "He is quick off the ball and plays with a great deal of energy and passion. At times he plays too high, and he needs to improve his hand play, but Franklin has all the tools to bring disruptive pro- duction to the nose tackle position." Franklin said he has matured and grown as a man while watching his father persevere through his battle with cancer. PHOTO BY ANGELA DRISKELL