'26 SC DL Franklin Whitley

[HoleInTheRoof]

Franklin Whitley - Greenville - Edge

Explore Franklin Whitley's athlete profile at On3.com. Get news and insights into his playing career, statistics, and achievements in sports.

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https://247sports.com/player/franklin-whitley-46160256/

 

[allvolrecruiting]

Very intriguing player. First year playing football since 5th grade but can't tell from highlights. Been on the EYBL circuit and basketball experience seemingly helps him not be clunky despite his massive (yet lean) 6'7/265 frame. Could be a gem with traits

 

[RiseToTheTop]

hell of an offer list so far

 

[Sandman Vol]

Would be a nice late cycle add. Cant teach that size. Hope we’re not too late to the game.

 

[Jackcrevol]

Would be a nice late cycle add. Cant teach that size. Hope we’re not too late to the game.

SC for some reason has a mold for DL.

 

[LittleVol]

SC for some reason has a mold for DL.

Carlos Dunlap

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

We need big strong fast Dlineman, anything else won’t cut it. At least have the frame to add good weight and the strength and wheels. A good controlled disciplined mean streak as well. We got to get bigger and stronger. GBO

 

[EastTNVol95]

Reel him in Garner!

 

[LittleVol]

We need big strong fast Dlineman, anything else won’t cut it. At least have the frame to add good weight and the strength and wheels. A good controlled disciplined mean streak as well. We got to get bigger and stronger. GBO

And we need some Transfer Portal help.
At least 2 real DTs. They can support our awesome 2025 class. They’ll be sophomores in 2026 and have played a bunch.
Then play Rivers, Albert, this kid, for 4 games and let them RS.

 

[MarcoVol]

.

 

[OrangeMoundTNVol]

CRG would turn this kid elite. Definitely want him. I can actually see him as a 6’7 300lb d tackle. Hobbs was his size in HS but at 6’5. Was also a good basketball player

 

[benholt06]

His visit is scheduled for 11/29 vs Vandy, just in case anyone didn’t see the article.

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

And we need some Transfer Portal help.
At least 2 real DTs. They can support our awesome 2025 class. They’ll be sophomores in 2026 and have played a bunch.
Then play Rivers, Albert, this kid, for 4 games and let them RS.

Campbell and Utley will both make impacts next year. Campbell is getting some time now as a true freshman. GBO

 

[LittleVol]

Campbell and Utley will both make impacts next year. Campbell is getting some time now as a true freshman. GBO

They will probably be starters or at least 2nd team. We need 8 DTs that can play

 

[NighthawkVol]

They will probably be starters or at least 2nd team. We need 8 DTs that can play

We really need 6 DTs who can play and 3 SDEs who can play. That’s what we rotated in 2024 and that was a very deep DL. Being 3 deep at each DL position is almost a luxury in today’s game.

I’m with you that Campbell and Utley will be studs next year. Likely 2 of our best 3 DTs along with Hobbs. Then you have Nathan Robinson as a very good 4th. The 5th and 6th would be Wallace and House as things stand, but we need to add a portal guy.

At SDE, you’re looking at Dye, Weathersby, and probably a portal guy, unless someone like Gentle or Loftin steps up.

 

[Jackcrevol]

We really need 6 DTs who can play and 3 SDEs who can play. That’s what we rotated in 2024 and that was a very deep DL. Being 3 deep at each DL position is almost a luxury in today’s game.

I’m with you that Campbell and Utley will be studs next year. Likely 2 of our best 3 DTs along with Hobbs. Then you have Nathan Robinson as a very good 4th. The 5th and 6th would be Wallace and House as things stand, but we need to add a portal guy.

At SDE, you’re looking at Dye, Weathersby, and probably a portal guy, unless someone like Gentle or Loftin steps up.

I think you go porthole heavy at that position. For Bim Tanks to be successful we have to stop the run.

 

[jvols1999]

We really need 6 DTs who can play and 3 SDEs who can play. That’s what we rotated in 2024 and that was a very deep DL. Being 3 deep at each DL position is almost a luxury in today’s game.

I’m with you that Campbell and Utley will be studs next year. Likely 2 of our best 3 DTs along with Hobbs. Then you have Nathan Robinson as a very good 4th. The 5th and 6th would be Wallace and House as things stand, but we need to add a portal guy.

At SDE, you’re looking at Dye, Weathersby, and probably a portal guy, unless someone like Gentle or Loftin steps up.

For a 3rd SDE I think there's a chance either or both of Groves/Golston could be ready for what realistically amounts to a small number of snaps. I am super interested to see what Loftin looks like post-injury recovery though.

IMO it's imperative that we add 2 experienced IDL. I'd love for one of them to be Thomas both because I think he looks like a really good prospect and also because I think he likely will be relatively inexpensive, which will allow us to spend more elsewhere (on the other portal DL but also at S, etc).

 

[LittleVol]

Need about 27 guys that can play and ready to on the DL.

Minimum…

 

[jvols1999]

Will also be here for UV for OU game

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

They will probably be starters or at least 2nd team. We need 8 DTs that can play

Dye,House,Hobbs,Whethersby,Robinson along with Utley and Campbell. But I agree I hope we close with a few DL in recruiting and add at least 1-2 in the portal if they can help us. I do think the 2 DL’s that are currently committed are quality prospects that will eventually help. I think Dye and House should be able to make some solid impact next year. Another year in the weight room should really help. GBO

 

[RandomUTfan]

nm

 

[LittleVol]

Dye,House,Hobbs,Whethersby,Robinson along with Utley and Campbell. But I agree I hope we close with a few DL in recruiting and add at least 1-2 in the portal if they can help us. I do think the 2 DL’s that are currently committed are quality prospects that will eventually help. I think Dye and House should be able to make some solid impact next year. Another year in the weight room should really help. GBO

I wanted Dye at DT, but maybe he belongs at SDE.

2026:
SDE Weathersby 6’4” 270 (Jr) Dye 6’5” 280 (so)
DT Hobbs 6’4 295 (Sr) Utley 6’3 285 (so)
DT Robinson 6’6 305 (Jr) Campbell 6’4 300 (so)
LEO Herring 6’5” 248 (RsJr) Ross 6’5 255 (RSso)

3rd Team
SDE Gentle or Schell
DT Wallace (Sr)
DT House (rsfr)
LEO Gass (rsfr)

We have Rivers, Albert, and hopefully this Franklin kid form South Carolina- coming form HS.

the top 5 DTs will have experience which is great. But we need 2 portal guys at DT imo because injuries seem to linger at that position.
Because we don’t have the luxury of playing senior SDEs at DT like we do this season.

So we need the BEEF.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Dye,House,Hobbs,Whethersby,Robinson along with Utley and Campbell. But I agree I hope we close with a few DL in recruiting and add at least 1-2 in the portal if they can help us. I do think the 2 DL’s that are currently committed are quality prospects that will eventually help. I think Dye and House should be able to make some solid impact next year. Another year in the weight room should really help. GBO

I think Dye will stay at SDE. In fact, I think he could start next year at SDE. He and Weathersby are a great 1-2 there. Need a portal addition or one of the young guys to step up to made it a solid 3-deep.

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

Franklin Whitley has started to blow up of late on the recruiting front. The 6-7, 270 pound defensive lineman had not played football since 5th grade before this season, and he has caught the attention of major programs, including Alabama, Florida State and Tennessee, among others.

He tells us this week he plans to visit Knoxville unofficially for the Oklahoma game and return again for an official visit the weekend of Vanderbilt. He knows he has the tools to play at a high level but needs development. He is impressed by Rodney Garner’s track record.

-VQ