Illinois Football Schedules A Visit With SEC Wide Receiver

Illinois Football Schedules A Visit With SEC Wide Receiver

Bret Bielema and his staff have been quiet thus far on the transfer portal front. However, this week was a pick up in recent pace for Illinois Football. Starting with the Illini hosting Washington University Defensive lineman Anthony James II, Tuesday-Thursday in Champaign. A very talented redshirt freshman from the PAC-12, who is looking to make a productive impact at his next destination. The Texas native sizes up at 6’5 and 280 lbs. Certainly, a nice prospect to fill a big position of need on Terrance Jamison’s Defensive Line. However, there is more to come from Illinois on the transfer portal front.

Thank you @BretBielema @IlliniFootball @CoachJamison for an amazing visit. pic.twitter.com/Gev4rhoEuk

— Anthony James II (@AntJamesII) May 10, 2024

On Friday, Chris Hummer of 24/7 Sports announced on X that Ole Miss/UTSA wide receiver transfer prospect Zakhari Franklin will be in Champaign for a visit in the near future. A really talented wide-out, with a history of success under Barry Lunney Jr as an offensive coordinator. The pair spent time together at UTSA before each departing their separate ways, for Illinois and Mississippi. Separate for long? Time and a really important visit to campus will tell. Franklin certainly fills the need for another veteran receiver presence in Lunny’s offense, to pair with Illinois young, exciting receiver talent.

Illinois is expected to host Ole Miss transfer wide receiver Zakhari Franklin for a visit in the near future, a source tells @247Sports.

Franklin has totaled 3,386 yards and 38 TDs in his career. https://t.co/C4ffurU9qd pic.twitter.com/nMaqRS0eqG

— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) May 10, 2024

Breakdown: Zakhari Franklin

Familiar name Illini fans? That’s because Franklin used to play for UTSA. Who, came into Memorial Stadium in 2021 and delivered a gut-punching 37-30 loss in Champaign. A game in which, Zakhari put on a show. Snagging 10 catches, 155 yards, and a touchdown to lead the Roadrunners past a Big Ten foe in Illinois Football. After two straight 1,000-yard seasons, and being named a back-to-back first-team All-Conference recipient, Franklin left USTA. He decided to transfer to Ole Miss in 2023, to take on bigger competition in the SEC. However, he only caught 4  passes for 38 yards and a touchdown. Seemingly, sinking down the depth chart.

Unfortunately, the 6-foot, 190-pound wide receiver was injured during fall camp. Setting him back physically, and holding him out of the first 3 games of the season for Ole Miss. From then on, Zakhari struggled to find playing time behind starters Tre Harris, Jordan Watkins, and Dayton Wade. The native of Cedar Hill, TX will certainly find himself on the Illinois staff’s radar, especially with the connection of OC Barry Lunney Jr. Lunney Jr  was the coach called the plays for UTSA when the Roadrunners came into Illinois and offensively dominated.

The Film

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