Franklin Pigs Out Before Heading to OU

While most people are trying to lose weight, Oklahoma signee Daniel Franklin is attempting to pack on the pounds before heading to Norman. Sooners Illustrated caught up with Franklin to check on the progress of one of the top prep linebackers in the country...

Most people call it a day after three full meals and somewhere around 2,000 calories.

Daniel Franklin, on the other hand, is just getting started.

In an age when most people are trying to slash calories and shed pounds, Franklin is doing just the opposite.

“I’m just trying to add size and strength,” said the Habersham Central (Georgia) linebacker who is part of Oklahoma’s 2008 signing class. “I eat six full-course meals a day and probably take in 4,000 calories.”

There is a method to Franklin’s madness. During his prep career, Franklin was one of the most productive linebackers in Georgia history, using his aggressiveness and play-making ability to earn him three-star status and a spot in the Under Armour All-American Bowl. He’s the 18th-best linebacker in the country coming out of high school.

During his senior season, Franklin racked up the tackles while playing at around 210 pounds.

“I know I can’t play middle linebacker at Oklahoma at 210 or 212 pounds. I don’t know that I could even do it at 225 when you’ve got 225 pound running backs coming at you,” he said. “So I’m just concentrating on getting bigger and stronger to put myself in the best position to play.”

Franklin has been using the workout program provided by the university since he signed and says he already sees the results.

“I’m up to a legitimate 225 pounds right now and I can already tell I’ve increased my strength,” he said.

The increases haven’t come at the cost of his speed. Franklins runs the 100 meter dash for his high school track team and clocks it in 11.4 seconds. He also throws the shot put with a season-best throw of 52 feet.

Despite Oklahoma’s shortage at the linebacker position, Franklin is realistic about his chances of coming in and playing right away.

“My biggest goal when I get there is to just be a sponge and learn everything I can,” he said. “Like I said, I’m not sure if I’m big enough yet, so I’ll do everything I can to play, but if it doesn’t happen right away, that’s OK.

“I just want to learn everything I can.”

Franklin is wrapping up his senior year at Habersham Central and will report to Norman in early June. Once here, he’ll room with fellow 2008 signee Britt Mitchell, an offensive lineman from Roscoe, Texas, who’s already on campus.

“I wanted to room with a good ol’ country boy,” Franklin said.

The entire prospect of moving to Norman for the next phase of his life is exciting to Franklin.

“I’m not sure it’s set in yet that it’s about to happen,” he said. “But I can’t wait. I know it’s going to be awesome.”