Franklin continues to show why he’s one of the most complete and explosive seniors in the state. The USF commit dominated on offense with 18 carries for 191 yards and 1 touchdown, flashing his signature home-run ability every time he touched the ball. His burst through the hole and acceleration in the open field make him a constant big-play threat, and defenses have to account for him on every snap. And that’s just half the story — Franklin also impacts the game on defense at linebacker, bringing physicality and instincts that round out his status as a true two-way force. Seventy-First’s playoff run is powered by stars, and Franklin is one of the biggest reasons the Falcons continue to fly.

For all the explosive weapons Seventy-First puts on the field, everything starts with Jayson Franklin Jayson Franklin 5'11" | 205 lbs | RB Seventy-First | 2026 State NC . The USF commit has been the Falcons’ most consistent offensive force, a true tone-setter who brings the perfect blend of speed, strength, efficiency, and reliability. When Franklin gets rolling, the entire offense opens up—defenses wear down, the box softens, and suddenly all those other 71st playmakers start getting one-on-one chances.

Franklin is the guy who beats a defense up first.
Then everyone else eats.

In tough matchups, the Falcons don’t hesitate—they lean on No. 2. He’s the steady heartbeat of the offense, the player who turns 2nd-and-8 into 3rd-and-2, the runner who finishes through contact, and the leader who brings a calm, veteran presence every time the ball is snapped.

And tonight carries even more weight.
This could be the final home game of his storied career.

Expect Franklin to run with purpose, with emotion, and with that extra edge great players show when the moment calls for it. He has been the standard for the Falcons’ offense for years, and if Seventy-First is going to keep their playoff run alive, Franklin will make sure this night becomes a memorable chapter in his legacy.

Franklin was a force on both sides of the ball, proving exactly why he’s one of the top prospects in the state. The USF commit carried the ball 16 times for 102 yards and a touchdown, added a 63-yard receiving score, and dominated defensively with a sack and several tackles for loss. His versatility and physicality completely changed the game’s momentum and set the tone for Seventy-First’s statement win.

Jayson Franklin Jayson Franklin 5'11" | 205 lbs | RB Seventy-First | 2026 State NC – Dicks House of Sports #BigFish Player of the Game 🐟🏈

The South Florida commit was a force in Seventy-First’s 36–28 win over Jack Britt. Franklin opened the scoring with the first touchdown of the night and then dominated on defense, patrolling the middle as the Falcons’ starting linebacker.

On the field for 85% of the snaps, Franklin consistently disrupted the Jack Britt run game and set the tone on both sides of the ball. His two-way effort fueled Seventy-First’s big statement victory.

Jayson Franklin Jayson Franklin 5'11" | 205 lbs | RB Seventy-First | 2026 State NC is one of the premier running backs in the state, combining size, speed, and power at 5’11”, 205 pounds with 4.4 speed. Also a disruptive force at linebacker, Franklin is a true two-way standout who can change the game on either side of the ball.

Jayson Franklin Jayson Franklin 5'11" | 205 lbs | RB Seventy-First | 2026 State NC had an all-around performance that made him just as impactful on defense as he was on offense. The South Florida commit played key snaps at linebacker, making several stops behind the line of scrimmage. On offense, Franklin rushed for over 100 yards and helped lead Seventy-First to a 22-8 victory. His dual-threat abilities continue to elevate him as one of the state’s top recruits.

Jayson Franklin Jayson Franklin 5'11" | 205 lbs | RB Seventy-First | 2026 State NC (RB, Seventy-First):
Ranked as the No. 3 running back in the state and a South Florida commit, Jayson Franklin Jayson Franklin 5'11" | 205 lbs | RB Seventy-First | 2026 State NC was the most impactful player on the field. While he wasn’t able to find the end zone, Franklin erased the Colts’ defense with his explosive runs, breaking off several long gains that flipped the field. The multi-talented back also played linebacker, contributing on both sides of the ball. His presence was felt every time he touched the ball, making him far and away the most dangerous weapon in the game.

🏈 Offensive Player to Watch — Week 2

Jayson Franklin Jayson Franklin 5'11" | 205 lbs | RB Seventy-First | 2026 State NC | RB | Seventy-First High School | Class of 2026 | South Florida Commit

If there was any doubt about Jayson Franklin Jayson Franklin 5'11" | 205 lbs | RB Seventy-First | 2026 State NC ‘s explosiveness, he erased it last week with a monster performance: 5 touchdowns, over 200 rushing yards, and a jaw-dropping stat line of one touchdown every three touches.

The South Florida commit was simply unstoppable in Week 1, showcasing elite balance, top-end speed, and vision that separates him from the pack. Franklin is the kind of back who doesn’t just rack up yards—he takes over games.

But despite his heroics, Seventy-First dropped a tough opener. Now at 0-1, the pressure is on—and another big outing from Franklin could be the difference between a bounce-back win and a dangerous 0-2 start in a competitive conference race.

Jayson Franklin Jayson Franklin 5'11" | 205 lbs | RB Seventy-First | 2026 State NC – Seventy-First (Sr.)
15 Carries, 202 Yards, 5 TDs

Even in a tough upset loss to Terry Sanford, Jayson Franklin Jayson Franklin 5'11" | 205 lbs | RB Seventy-First | 2026 State NC put on a spectacular performance that proved why he’s committed to South Florida. The senior running back carried the ball 15 times for 202 yards and 5 touchdowns, showcasing his elite speed, vision, and power. Franklin was the one bright spot for Seventy-First, as he consistently broke off big runs and found the end zone multiple times.

His resilience and ability to deliver in the face of adversity make him one of the region’s top prospects to keep an eye on this season.

Jayson Franklin Jayson Franklin 5'11" | 205 lbs | RB Seventy-First | 2026 State NC Shines as Complete Back at Garner 7v7

New South Florida commit Jayson Franklin Jayson Franklin 5'11" | 205 lbs | RB Seventy-First | 2026 State NC proved he’s the total package at the Garner 7v7 Tournament. Known for his power and big-play ability as a running back, Franklin used this platform to showcase just how versatile he truly is.

While he’s already recognized as a home-run threat on the ground, Franklin displayed reliable hands, clean routes, and an understanding of space in the passing game — making him a true dual-threat out of the backfield. His performance confirmed why he’s currently ranked as the No. 3 running back in North Carolina.

This fall will mark Franklin’s first season as the featured back for Seventy-First, and based on what he showed this weekend, his production could be eye-popping. With size, speed, and now proven pass-catching ability, Franklin looks poised for a dominant senior year.