Sam Franklin
refer to caption
Franklin with the Carolina Panthers in 2020
No. 42 – Carolina Panthers
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1996-02-02) February 2, 1996
Inverness, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:Citrus (Inverness, Florida)
College:Temple (2016–2019)
Undrafted:2020
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of 2022
Tackles:67
Sacks:1.0
Forced fumbles:1
Pass deflections:2
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Samuel Lamar Franklin (born February 2, 1996) is an American football safety for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Temple.

Early years

Franklin grew up in Crystal River, Florida and attended Citrus High School, where he played wide receiver, safety and linebacker on the football team. He was recruited by the University of Massachusetts, but failed to qualify academically. He enrolled at East Coast Prep, where he played alongside future Panthers teammate Myles Hartsfield for a post-graduate year to improve his grades and test scores.[1]

College career

Franklin was a member of the Temple Owls for four seasons, starting as a defensive back before moving to linebacker. As a senior, he was the team's third-leading tackler with 68 tackles and had 7.5 tackles for loss.[2] Franklin finished his collegiate career with 194 tackles including 24 tackles for loss, eight sacks, two interceptions, 10 pass breakups, three fumble recoveries and one forced fumble in 53 games played.[3]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span
6 ft 2+1⁄8 in
(1.88 m)		 204 lb
(93 kg)		 31+3⁄4 in
(0.81 m)		 9+1⁄2 in
(0.24 m)
All values from Pro Day[4]

Franklin was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent on May 2, 2020, and made the team out of training camp.[5][6][7] On October 18, Franklin had his first meaningful action against the Chicago Bears when Juston Burris was injured, making two tackles.[8] In Week 9 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Franklin recorded his first career sack on Patrick Mahomes during the 33–31 loss.[9]

In Week 4 of the 2023 season against the Minnesota Vikings, Franklin recorded his first career interception which he then returned 99 yards for his first NFL defensive touchdown. This interception also set the franchise record for longest interception returned for a touchdown.

One week later at Detroit, Franklin set a new personal high with eight total tackles, including seven solo stops.[10]

References

  1. ↑ Alexander, Jonathan M. (October 29, 2020). "From Applebee's to Outback, Panthers safety saved every penny for a chance at the NFL". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  2. ↑ Narducci, Marc (April 26, 2020). "Temple LB Sam Franklin rejoining former coach Matt Rhule with Carolina Panthers". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  3. ↑ Wallen, Ryan (April 26, 2020). "Four former Owls sign with NFL teams as undrafted free agents". OwlsDaily.com. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  4. ↑ "2020 NFL Draft Scout Sam Franklin College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  5. ↑ Callihan, Schuyler (May 22, 2020). "Rhule's Former College Players & Their Projected Impact in Carolina". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Panthers agree to terms with 17 undrafted free agents". www.panthers.com. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Citrus graduate Franklin makes Panthers roster". Chronicleonline.com. September 6, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  8. ↑ Huber, Jason (October 21, 2020). "Sam Franklin ready to show he belongs". WFNZ. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Carolina Panthers at Kansas City Chiefs – November 8th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Stats and Superlatives: Panthers drop road matchup at Detroit". www.panthers.com. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
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