Ex-Florida State QB John Franklin III commits to Auburn
Former Florida State quarterback John Franklin III is headed to the SEC.
Franklin, who is playing for East Mississippi Community College this season, announced via Twitter that he will transfer to Auburn.
Franklin split snaps at EMCC this season and has thrown for 733 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions while also rushing for 451 yards and nine scores in nine games. He told AuburnSports.com that Tigers coach Gus Malzahn has the system to fit his talents.
“It’s the perfect fit, the perfect program for me,” Franklin said. “And they need me.”
The addition of Franklin shows the uncertainty the program has at the quarterback position moving forward. Jeremy Johnson, a junior, started the season as the team’s top quarterback but struggled mightily with six interceptions in three games. Malzahn then turned to redshirt freshman Sean White, who has thrown for 1,063 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in five games.
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Franklin said he’s been given the indication that he has a chance to come in and start right away. Auburn’s past success with junior college transfers (Nick Marshall, Cam Newton) also made the school an attractive destination.
“The opportunity to come in and earn a starting spot right away was also a big thing,” Franklin said. “Also, the success Gus Malzahn has had with junior college quarterbacks was a very big thing.”
Franklin was No. 2 on Florida State’s depth chart coming out of spring practice, but decided to transfer in May after Notre Dame transfer Everett Golson joined the FSU program. Franklin, who redshirted in 2013, appeared in two games in for the Seminoles in 2014.
After graduating from EMCC in December, Franklin plans to enroll at Auburn in January. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.
For more Auburn news, visit AuburnSports.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
