‘He’s playing himself into an every down player’ – One Ole Miss Rebels defensive lineman has impressed the coaching staff in fall camp
Ole Miss is working towards the August 30 opener against Georgia State. And one Rebel seems to be working harder than most as the coaching staff has taken a liking to his effort in fall camp. Defensive coordinator Pete Golding spoke with the media Thursday and highlighted the play of sophomore defensive lineman Kam Franklin.“He’s […]
Ole Miss is working towards the August 30 opener against Georgia State. And one Rebel seems to be working harder than most as the coaching staff has taken a liking to his effort in fall camp. Defensive coordinator Pete Golding spoke with the media Thursday and highlighted the play of sophomore defensive lineman Kam Franklin.
“He’s playing himself into an every down player,” Golding said. “Kam (Franklin) has had the biggest improvement since he’s been here from day one to where he is now. He’ll have the ability to play (multiple) positions.”
Franklin, a 6-foot-5, 290 pounder from Lake Cormorant (Miss.) was the No. 1 player in Mississippi back in 2024 when he signed with the Rebels over Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, and Texas. Since then, he has waited his turn to make an impact on Randall Joyner’s defensive line.
Now, he looks poised to do just that in 2025.
Last season as a freshman, Kam Franklin played in seven games.
Although he only finished with 11 tackles, five tackles for loss, and two sacks, the coaches are expecting him to make a big-time difference this season. But, he didn’t waste his time while waiting his turn. He told Rebels247 he learned a lot from a few former Rebels.
“I’ve seen myself just getting better, learning from the other guys last year like Jared Ivey and Princely that play my position,” Franklin said. “Just taking the knowledge and the ability that I already have and just putting it into my game going forward.
“First I just learned how the game should be played as a true SEC defensive end. Coming in just kind of modeling my work after (Ivey), putting what I had versus what he was teaching me,” Franklin said. “Key points and just putting it into my game.”
Coming out of high school, 247Sports national recruiting analyst Cooper Petagna was a big fan of Kam Franklin.
“Projects as a multi-scheme defender with the ability to play on the edge or on the interior depending on scheme,” Petagna said. “Will more than likely continue to add a considerable amount of weight to his frame and move inside as skill set potentially suits him best on the interior.
“Potential all-conference prospect that will need a year to technically develop on Saturdays but has the physical clay and versatility to be a valuable asset at the next level,” Petagna said. “Length and linear explosiveness could see him grow into an interior force capable of playing the run and pass equally as well.”
Defensive line coach Randall Joyner expects Kam Franklin to big things in 2025.
“(Kam) has really made a big jump in his development. Has a blend of size, speed, and power,” Joyner said. “He really learned how to practice and it has really shown in his play. He has chance to be special”
