Despite having two years of eligibility remaining, Top rated Michigan RB enters transfer portal…

The seasoned ballcarrier is going somewhere.

Leon Franklin, a running back for the Michigan Wolverines, said on Wednesday that he will be using the transfer portal after two more years of eligibility:

Over the previous three seasons, Franklin spent the most of his playing time on the special teams. During his stint in the program, he has also received numerous awards like the Scout Team Player of the Week.

He will play one more game with the team as he wraps out his Michigan career, but after the 2024 season and beyond, he’ll probably be searching for a new place to call home and one where he can play more frequently.

Franklin gained his career total of 75 yards on 23 carries in Ann Arbor. In his career, he has made two trips to the end zone. The first came late in the 59-0 victory over UCONN in 2022 on a 20-yard touchdown pass. In the Wolverines’ game against Minnesota, he also scored one on the ground

Fans might not find this very significant on the field, but Franklin appeared to be a team player—something that is uncommon in today’s sports. He is an experienced player on a squad that captured three Big Ten titles and prepared the defense to face some of the top backs in the conference.

Franklin is currently the second Michigan native to respond to the transfer portal. The other was CJ Stokes, a sophomore who this season has lost playing time to players like Kaleel Mullings. Thanks to Mike Hart’s effective recruitment in the running back room, the Wolverines are still able to attract elite recruits such as Cole Cabana, who is a freshman this year, and Jordan Marshall, the former Mr. Ohio who signed with Michigan on Wednesday

In Ann Arbor, playing time is becoming scarce, particularly in a running back room full of skill. After earning his degree, Franklin still has a chance to win a national championship this season and, in 2024, a chance to play more often abroad.