Transfer Discussion: Oklahoma’s Acquisition of RB Franklin Samuel
From one of the top players in FCS last season, the Sooners have added speed, power, toughness, and versatility.
Running back Sam Franklin is a player that DeMarco Murray finds very endearing.
Franklin now has a lot to offer the running backs coach at Oklahoma.
Franklin, the newest running back for the Sooners acquired through the NCAA Transfer Portal, amassed impressive stats while attending Tennessee-Martin. His strengths included exceptional speed, strong power, exceptional toughness, adaptability, and a fierce will to succeed.
Murray had all of these traits both as an NFL running back and while attending Oklahoma.
According to Skyhawks play-by-play commentator Davis Gregory, “He’s just a winner.”
Playing at the FCS level the previous season, the 5-foot-10, 200-pound Franklin ran for 1,386 yards and 11 touchdowns. Against Missouri State, 221 yards and two touchdowns at North Alabama, and 168 yards and a score at Samford were all included in that total.
Franklin’s speed is what immediately stands out about him, and Murray’s running back room will need more of it in 2024.
Franklin had three touchdown runs in 2023: one each of 81, 74, and 70 yards. Franklin gained 6.2 yards per carry on average as a third-year sophomore.
Franklin ran 85 times for 676 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022 as a redshirt freshman, averaging 8.0 yards per carry and recording two 100-yard games with runs of 89, 86, and 65 yards.
In just two games as a true freshman in 2021, he averaged 9.6 yards per carry.
Gregory said, “It really is crazy,” to AllSooners. Since I’ve watched him play, I can honestly say that when he receives the ball, he doesn’t hesitate to close the gap. He’s not questioning his decision-making. It’s all downhill from there. With that kind of speed, it will easily outpace the linebackers before reaching the secondary. In addition, he is nimble and agile enough to force an error before showing off his 70-yard touchdown runs.
Franklin is a sprinter, though. Because of his low stature, he can add some thickness to a defense. Opponents find it difficult to counter that blend of strength and speed.
