Franklin to enter transfer portal

Miami Hurricanes sophomore running back Thad Franklin Jr. announced on social media Friday that he would be entering the transfer portal.

“I was honored to have the opportunity to be a Miami Hurricane and represent them on the grid iron....” the former Chaminade-Madonna standout wrote on Instagram. “However my time at the University of Miami has come to an end. I will be entering the transfer portal in an effort to continue pursuing my dreams.”

Franklin thanked coaches, teammates and fans and said he was grateful for the opportunity.

Franklin played in seven games this season under new coach Mario Cristobal, gaining 206 yards on 47 carries, for a 4.3-yard average and five touchdowns. He is third on the team in the number of carries, behind Harry Parrish Jr. with 119 carries for 583 yards (4.8yard average) and Jaylan Knighton, with 63 carries for 349 yards (5.4-yard average).

In 2021, his first season, Franklin had 23 carries, rushed for 172 yards and a pair of scores, averaging 7.5 yards per carry. He was expected to player a larger role in the offense this season. The bulk of his carries this season game in the first four games, but in the 5-5 Hurricanes’ conference games, his carries diminished. He had 13 in the past six games.

Earlier this week, defensive back Gilbert Frierson, announced his intention to transfer at the end of this season, and Cristobal pushed back against players’ parents complaining on social media about their sons’ playing time.

“I’m a parent myself, and I think it’s important to teach our own children to handle stuff like adults in a face-to-face manner,” Cristobal said on Wednesday. “As it relates to posting on social media, I was raised very different and anything that would relate to anything such as that. But a parent is very free and welcome to come pick up their son if they’re not happy with their playing time here at the University of Miami. I guess that’s my philosophy.”