Lane Kiffin gives update on Zakhari Franklin's status for Week 1

New Ole Miss wide receiver Zakhari Franklin was one of the team’s biggest acquisitions in the transfer portal this offseason. But it is unknown when the former UTSA star will take the field.

Franklin committed to the program in early June but has not seen the practice field much as he is recovering from an injury. Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin gave an update on Franklin’s status Monday during his press conference to start the week.

“He’s not out there practicing yet, unfortunately,” Kiffin said. “It’s hard for me to answer what he looks like. Obviously I know what he’s looked like before. A couple 1000-yard seasons there and really big-time playmaker there. But we don’t know that yet. Anticipating him out there soon.”

Franklin played the last four years in San Antonio with the Roadrunners and was a four-year starter for the program. He earned All-Conference USA first team honors in both 2021 and 2022.

Both of those seasons, Franklin was a 1,000-yard receiver. In 2022, he caught a career-high 94 catches for 1,136 yards and 15 touchdowns. It was an improvement on a remarkable 2021 campaign that saw him snag 81 catches for 1,027 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Whenever Zakhari Franklin does see the field, it is expected that he will be a key contributor in the pass game for the Rebels. However, who will be throwing him those passes is currently unknown.

Kiffin did not name a starting quarterback during Monday’s press conference, who said the team has not yet made a final decision.

The candidates up for the job are Jaxson Dart, Spencer Sanders and Walker Howard. Dart was the starting quarterback last year while Sanders and Howard are both transfers.

Sanders is a former four-year starter at Oklahoma State, who earned All-Big 12 first team honors in 2021. Howard is in his second year of college football and was a backup quarterback for LSU in 2022.

But while Kiffin did not name a starter, it is believed that Dart has the upperhand in the competition.

“I just still like to collect information, and still keep practicing. Pushing forward,” Kiffin said. “Like I said, I feel extremely confident in both guys, to win games. Both guys have, on big stages. That’s very unusual to have.

“That’s more like the NFL, where you have veterans like that. So I wouldn’t think many people have that. Two guys who have been on the big stage and performed well, so I’m excited.”