Marloshawn Franklin Commits to Cal
Cal received a commitment from Mesa Community College defensive back Marloshawn Franklin during an in-home visit from Cornerbacks coach John Lovett On Tuesday night. The pledge comes just two days after Franklin took his official visit to Berkeley, where he was offered a scholarship.
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"It feels good. It's a relief. Everything's turning out exactly how I always wanted it to."
Committed to Cal this evening at my home visit with @CalCoachLovett . #GoldenBear pic.twitter.com/PcnG9C8LSZ- Marloshawn Franklin (@Marlofranko) December 9, 2015
Franklin had visited the Bay Area before, but last weekend was his first opportunity to see Cal's campus up close and in depth. He loved what he saw.
"I enjoyed every bit of it. The academics are amazing. I mean, it's the number one public school in the country. Coach Lovett is really genuine, a solid coach and the type of guy I'd like to play for. I'd have an opportunity to play early too."
And that opportunity was highlighted by one of Franklin's hosts on his visit, cornerback and fellow JuCo product Darius White.
"He was my co-host. We talked a lot, and he was just talking about how I can come in and take his spot. The defense is losing a big piece in him. I can be the guy to come in and take his spot. There are some other guys and a few redshirt freshmen too, but I'll be ready to compete."
On the heels of receiving a scholarship offer from newly extended head coach Sonny Dykes on Sunday, Franklin returned home and got down to decision making time.
"When I got home, I sat down with my mother and my family and we talked through it. It just felt right. We all liked the situation and what it could mean for me and my family."
The story of how Cal and Marloshawn Franklin came together is an interesting one. The tale begins about halfway through Franklin's season at Mesa.
"About halfway through our season, I was shopping my highlights around. I'd sit down about five times a day and email them to coaches. A couple weeks later, I was contacted by Coach Burns. He came out and watched our game against Scottsdale. I've talked with Cal two or three times a day since then."
Although Cal was the lone school to extend Franklin a scholarship offer, they were far from his only suitor. Prior to his Cal official visit, Nebraska, Texas Tech, Syracuse, Arizona, TCU and Colorado had all requested transcripts and confirm whether Franklin would be able to enroll this spring.
"Coach Lovett came out for an in-home last week, sat down with me and got me down for an official visit that same weekend. I was on a plane three days later. A lot of other coaches were talking to me, but they were just talking. He took action."
Burns and Lovett's faith in Franklin made a big impression. When Cal offered him, he wanted to reward their willingness to act on him by taking some action of his own.
"Those guys were the first staff to take a chance on me and put a scholarship on the table. Other schools waited, but they didn't hesitate. Their confidence in me gave me confidence in them."
Franklin, a Detroit native, moved to Arizona with his family before enrolling at Chandler High School and then moving on to Mesa Community College where he played his freshman and sophomore seasons. He'll come to Cal with three years to play two. And a couple familiar faces will be waiting for him.
"Derron Brown played with me at Mesa my freshman year. He was one of my hosts last weekend, and had been talking to me a little bit about what to expect. I've known Derron a long time and we've been through some things together. He showed me what a typical day in the life of a Bear looks like. Luke Rubenzer is another guy I know. We played 7-on-7 ball together in high school. He reached out to me with open arms when he heard the news."
So what is Cal getting in Marloshawn Franklin? At 6' and 185 pounds, he's a big, physical defender at the cornerback position. Last season at Mesa, he tallied 41 tackles, 12 pass breakups and a forced fumble in 10 games for the Thunderbirds. He was named as a second team all-conference (ACCAC) performer and first team all-region (WSFL). Franklin's 12 pass breakups tied him for 7th best in the country among all junior college defenders.
"I feel like I'm a dominant, physical corner. Man press, man off, zone…it doesn't matter. I can do whatever they need me to. I'm excited to get down there. This is my time to make a name for myself. I've waited two years. I'm looking to come in ready."
Franklin becomes the 22nd commitment in Cal's 2016 class and the fourth defensive back. He'll enroll in January and will have three years to play two for the Bears.