The Washington Huskies continue to pursue wide receiver help in the transfer portal. While Arizona State transfer Elijhah Badger ultimately picked Florida over the Huskies and Arizona, they have moved quickly to add another veteran visitor.
On Tuesday, multiple outlets reported that former Ole Miss and UTSA receiver Zakhari Franklin will take an official visit to Montlake as he continues to search for a new home for his final collegiate season.
Franklin, a two-time All-Conference USA first-team selection at UTSA, redshirted last season with the Rebels after playing in only 4 games. He brought in just 4 catches for 38 yards and 1 touchdown after setting records with the Roadrunners in four years as a starter.
Washington has three presumed starters already in the room with Denzel Boston, Cal transfer Jeremiah Hunter, and Giles Jackson set to run with the first team this fall.
But the Huskies’ depth is young and sparse behind that trio, led primarily by redshirt freshmen Rashid Williams and Keith Reynolds and early enrollee Audric Harris. Walk-on utility man Camden Sirmon often took second team reps this spring as well, highlighting the need for an extra scholarship player on the depth chart.
Adding a veteran like Franklin could bridge the gap between those two groups, giving Washington experienced and productive options four deep to guard against injury while continuing to develop their young stable of talent on the second team.
Franklin would also fit the Huskies’ timeline at the position as a player with one remaining season of eligibility.
Former Ole Miss and UTSA wide receiver Zakhari Franklin is visiting Washington, a source tells @247Sports.
Franklin was a two-time first-team all-conference selection at UTSA before transferring to Ole Miss. Had 261 career catches and 37 career touchdowns at UTSA.… pic.twitter.com/xQsN0hPAs1
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) May 21, 2024