Things should get brighter now for Sam Franklin in South Florida.
Pete Nakos of On3 reported Monday that Franklin, a former running back at Oklahoma, has signed with the South Florida Bulls out of the transfer portal with one year of eligibility left.
Former Sooner Sam Franklin signs with South Florida
Franklin had been buried on the Sooners' depth chart since getting to Norman last year from Tennessee-Martin.
In one season with OU, Franklin appeared in 12 games but got only 18 carries for 132 yards, averaging an explosive 7.3 yards a carry. He ran for a season-high 61 yards in the regular-season finale against LSU, which included a 31-yard carry, which was the longest of the season for OU.
The Sooners primarily used Franklin on special teams. He led OU with six kickoff returns for 133 yards last season.
Franklin's lack of opportunity with the Sooners doesn't mean he's a bust, though. At UT-Martin in 2023, Franklin was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, which is given to the most outstanding offensive player in the FCS. He rushed for 1,386 yards and 11 touchdowns that season, averaging 6.2 yards a carry.
There should be more opportunity for Franklin to shine in sunny South Florida and even emerge as the Bulls' lead back. He will also have the benefit of going up against AAC defenses compared to the SEC, which was a major difference coming from the FCS to the top level of FBS.
Even if Franklin does break out in his final college season at USF, that doesn't necessarily mean he'll be one that got away for the Sooners. It'll be more of an example of the benefits of the transfer portal, giving opportunity to a player who wouldn't have gotten it in his current situation.
With Franklin and Gavin Sawchuk's departure, the Sooners still have four viable running back options that earned carries last season.
OU just added Cal transfer Jaydn Ott, who was the No. 1 available running back in the transfer portal this spring. Last season's leading rusher, Jovantae Barnes, is back, as well as last year's standout freshmen Xavier Robinson and Taylor Tatum.
Read more about OU football