The Syracuse coaching staff chose two players to represent the program at Sunday–Tuesday‚Äôs ACC Media Days. There were no surprises when it was announced that senior quarterback Terrel Hunt would be one player present at the festivities in North Carolina. Many fans did not expect to see the staff‚Äôs defensive selection get the nod however, sophomore linebacker Zaire Franklin.
Some fans thought senior defensive end Ron Thompson was more deserving. In terms of seniority, that might be true; but it’s no mistake that Franklin was selected.
He’s only in his second season and already has players looking up to him. That’s what 2015 linebacker signee Troy Henderson Jr. told the Fizz last summer. He’s a natural leader, intelligent and also very outspoken; don’t be surprised if Franklin is named a captain at the end of Syracuse’s summer camp.
On the field next season, Franklin will take over as the team’s top linebacker. This might seem like a lot, but he’ll be ready. Last year he learned from two of the best in Cam Lynch and Dyshawn Davis. Plus, he played a fair amount himself as a true freshman. In Syracuse’s second to last game of the season he finished with ten tackles in a 30-7 loss to Pittsburgh.
Syracuse only returns four other impact defensive players from last year’s team: Thompson, linebacker Marquez Hodge, cornerback Wayne Morgan (who was injured for most of 2014) and safety Julian Whigham. Franklin may only be a sophomore, but his time is now; this year he’s the guy for SU on defense.
            Follow the Fizz on Twitter @OrangeFizz for more on SU basketball and football recruiting.
 Posted: Connor Morrissette
2 responses to “Like It Or Not Zaire Franklin Is Syracuse‚Äôs Leader on Defense in 2015”
Zaire Franklin proved to the fans what type of player that he was going to be and because of his involvement helping to recruit other players to last years class showed us all that he was a natural born leader of men. I think picking him to represent Syracuse University was a great pick.
Franklin is already one of the best lb of his generation.
legendary scouts like mike mcallister and otto’s grove legendary scout have said that franklin is so good the nfl is already meeting to change the rules of the nfl before he gets there because nobody will even be able to complete with him.