Zaire Franklin Explained

Zaire Najee Franklin (born July 2, 1996) is an American professional football linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Syracuse.

College career

Franklin played the position of Linebacker for Syracuse University Football for 2014-2017 seasons.^[1] While at Syracuse, Franklin recorded 311 career tackles over the course of 48 total games, starting the final 39 of his career. Franklin was a two-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection.^[2] Additionally, he was only the second three-time captain in Orange football history and the first since 1896.^[3]

Professional career

Franklin was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round, 235th overall, of the 2018 NFL draft.^[4] The Colts previously obtained the pick used to select Franklin by trading Henry Anderson to the New York Jets. Franklin made his NFL debut on September 9, 2018, against the Cincinnati Bengals, recording one tackle on special teams.^[5] He made his first career start at linebacker on September 23 against the Philadelphia Eagles, notching one tackle on defense and another on special teams.^[6] In his rookie season, Franklin appeared in all 16 regular season games, starting two, and recorded 29 tackles and one pass defended.^[7]

On September 8, 2020, Franklin was named one of the five team captains heading into the 2020 season.^[8]

On March 16, 2022, Franklin signed a three-year, $12 million contract extension with the Colts.^[9] In the 2022 season, Franklin had three sacks, 167 total tackles (102 solo), six passes defended, and two forced fumbles in 17 starts.^[10]

In 2023, Franklin finished the season second in the league with a career-high 179 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and six passes defensed through 16 starts.^{[11] [12]} Franklin was ranked 100th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2024.^[13]

On March 11, 2024, with Franklin beginning the last year of his contract, the Colts signed him to a three-year extension worth up to $31.3 million.^[14]

Regular season

Year	Team	Games		Tackles						Interceptions						Fumbles
		GP	GS	Cmb	Solo	Ast	Sck	TfL	Sfty	PD	Int	Yds	TD	Avg	Lng	FF	FR
2018	IND	16	2	29	14	15	0.0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0
2019	IND	16	0	6	4	2	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0
2020	IND	16	2	18	14	4	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2021	IND	17	11	40	21	19	0.0	1	0	2	1	8	0	8.0	8	0	1
2022	IND	17	17	167	102	65	3.0	12	0	6	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
2023	IND	16	16	179	107	72	1.5	3	0	6	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
2024	IND	11	11	110	56	54	0.0	2	0	3	1	0	0	0	0	2	0
Career		109	59	550	318	232	4.5	18	0	18	2	8	0	4.0	8	6	1

Postseason

Personal life

Franklin was the Colts nominee for the 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for his charitable efforts in founding and leading Shelice's Angels.^[15] Shelice's Angels seeks "to open doors and provide resources that will help build self esteem while providing positive reinforcement in the lives of young women" and focuses specifically in the areas of technology, community giving, and academic achievement.^[16]

External links

• Indianapolis Colts bio
• Syracuse Orange bio

Notes and References

1. Web site: Zaire Franklin - Football - Syracuse University Athletics . March 12, 2024 . Cuse.com.
2. Web site: Zaire Franklin . September 4, 2018 . Cuse.com.
3. Web site: Bailey . Stephen . October 11, 2017 . Syracuse football names 2017 captains: LB Zaire Franklin 1st 3-timer since 1890s . December 12, 2018 . Syracuse.com . The Post-Standard.
4. Web site: Mock . Brett . April 28, 2018 . Indianapolis Colts Select LB Zaire Franklin with Pick 235 in NFL Draft . June 16, 2018 . StampedeBlue.com . SB Nation.
5. Web site: Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts - September 9th, 2018-Snap counts . October 2, 2018 . Pro-Football-Reference.com.
6. Web site: Walker . Andrew . September 25, 2018 . 2018 Colts Rookie Watch: Week 3 . October 4, 2018 . Colts.com.
7. Web site: Stano . Ryan . January 23, 2019 . Colts 2018 rookies: Zaire Franklin . May 4, 2019 . HorseShoeHeroes.com . FanSided.
8. Web site: Walker . Andrew . September 8, 2020 . Colts Announce Team Captains For 2020 Season . November 2, 2023 . Colts.com . en-US.
9. Web site: Stankevitz . JJ . March 16, 2022 . Colts Sign LB Zaire Franklin To Contract Extension . November 2, 2023 . Colts.com.
10. Web site: Zaire Franklin 2022 Game Log . November 2, 2023 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
11. Web site: Zaire Franklin 2023 Game Log . 2024-04-13 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
12. Web site: 2023 NFL Defense . 2024-04-13 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
13. Web site: Foster . Amanda . Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin ranked No. 100 on NFL Network’s Top 100 Players of 2024 . Colts.com . 2024-07-23 . 2024-07-23.
14. Web site: Erickson . Joel A. . March 11, 2024 . Colts sign Zaire Franklin to three-year extension . . March 11, 2024.
15. Web site: Stankevitz . JJ . December 5, 2023 . Colts Nominate LB Zaire Franklin For 2023 Walter Payton Man Of The Year Award . 2023-12-05 . Colts.com . en-US.
16. Web site: About . 2023-12-05 . Shelice's Angels . en.