Latest Auburn commit idolizes Cam Newton and Nick Marshall

By foxsports
Published

While officially listed as an athlete, John Franklin III is coming to Auburn with the sole intension of playing quarterback for Gus Malzahn. The East Mississippi Community College star has seen what the offense can be under Cam Newton and Nick Marshall and envisions himself in a similar role. 

"I'm just trying to follow in those footsteps. (Malzahn's) dealt with guys like me who's been in my same situation, so I felt like everything added up to me," Franklin told AL.com.

Rated as the No. 1 JUCO athlete in the nation by 247Sports, Franklin is headed to Auburn "strictly as a quarterback."

"I'm getting there in January and will be competing for the starting job," Franklin said. "They say they don't have a guy with my type of ability on the roster and what they've been missing with their offense is a little explosiveness. Hopefully I can provide that and help turn things around there."

While redshirt freshman Sean White has shown he has the arm and toughness to play in the SEC, it appears the Malzahn offense may not be able to run at full effectiveness unless piloted by a quarterback that can gash a defense with big plays on the ground. Can Franklin be that guy? 

(h/t AL.com)