Originally recruited as a defensive back, Franklin moved from safety to linebacker during his redshirt season in 2007.
Franklin has started at multiple positions for the Razorbacks, including weakside linebacker and middle linebacker.
In his freshman season, Franklin recorded a team-high 87 tackles, and had two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
He was named to Sporting News' Freshman All-American team, as well as College Football News' Second Team.
During a time when Arkansas's defense struggled with consecutive 12th-place finishes in the SEC in total yards allowed in 2008 and 2009, Franklin was a mainstay of the defense.
In his sophomore season he again led the team in tackles with 94, and also had five tackles for loss and one and a half sacks.
He recovered two fumbles on the year, returning one of them 85 yards for a touchdown against Texas A&M. Franklin finished his career as a four-year starter for the Hogs.
He led Arkansas in tackles in each of the past four years, finishing with 100 or more tackles in his junior and senior seasons- 101 in 2011 and 100 in 2010.
Originally recruited as a defensive back, Franklin moved from safety to linebacker during his redshirt season in 2007. Franklin has started at multiple positions for the Razorbacks, including weakside linebacker and middle linebacker. In his freshman season, Franklin recorded a team-high 87 tackles, and had two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He was named to Sporting News' Freshman All-American team, as well as College Football News' Second Team. During a time when Arkansas's defense struggled with consecutive 12th-place finishes in the SEC in total yards allowed in 2008 and 2009, Franklin was a mainstay of the defense. In his sophomore season he again led the team in tackles with 94, and also had five tackles for loss and one and a half sacks. He recovered two fumbles on the year, returning one of them 85 yards for a touchdown against Texas A&M. Franklin finished his career as a four-year starter for the Hogs. He led Arkansas in tackles in each of the past four years, finishing with 100 or more tackles in his junior and senior seasons- 101 in 2011 and 100 in 2010.
Jerry Franklin