Zakhari Franklin
Zakhari Franklin
Wins underneath on volume and route precision. Across four seasons and three programs, three head coaches: Jeff Traylor, Lane Kiffin and Bret Bielema. All-Conference USA in 2022 made it two straight seasons on the honors list. The receipt on tape: 99 rec yds, 9 receptions against Kansas, Week 2, 2024.
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
- positional archetype classification
- head-coach lineage
- recognition record
- game log
How it ended
Four seasons at Illinois, 2,860 receiving yards — his college career is complete.
Career Arc
Trophy Case · Confirmed honors
What the selectors said
ALL-CONFERENCE
All-Conf mention (2022)
All-Conference USA
Coaching Lineage · 2021–2024
1 coachPlayed his entire career under Bret Bielema.
2025 snapshot
Season context · Team result + system
Splits & context
Supporting Cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Bret Bielema
Awards
Player Standing · 17 rungs
Tier 3 · RecognizedR09 · All-Conference HM / 2nd team
All-Conference HM / 2nd team. Conference recognition has started.
Trophy Case · Confirmed honors
What the selectors said
ALL-CONFERENCE
All-Conf mention (2022)
All-Conference USA
Career stats
How he plays
Play style
Runs precise routes in tight quarters. Volume player who keeps chains moving.
CFB Index positional classification
DNA match
Player DNA
Slot Technician
Runs precise routes in tight quarters. Volume player who keeps chains moving.
His 2024 production profile sits closest to Jared Brown’s 2023 season.
Matches Jared on
Differs from Jared on
Through 4 college seasons, his career arc tracks closest to Jake Thaw’s path through Delaware.
Hunter Long
Matches Jake on
Player DNA
Players who play like Zakhari Franklin
Development
Development Trajectory · receiving yards
2021–2024-36%
Sharp dropoff (-36%) — career inflection point.