Ole Miss Rebels WR Zakhari Franklin ‘Chose Not To Play’ vs. Georgia Bulldogs; Future Uncertain

Lane Kiffin was vague when speaking on the status of wide receiver Zakhari Franklin, who was absent vs. the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday.

The Ole Miss Rebels were run out of Sanford Stadium by the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday night, getting blown out 52-17, and plummeting out of the top 10 in the AP Top 25.

However, that was not the only news to come out of Saturday’s blowout loss.

According to head coach Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss wide receiver Zakhari Franklin – who has been seldom used since arriving in Oxford via the NCAA Transfer Portal – chose not to play on Saturday vs. the Bulldogs.

Kiffin did not give any further explanation, only that Franklin himself actively chose not to go into the game.

“He did make the trip,” Kiffin said during his Monday press conference. “I don’t know the plan for him the rest of the year. So, he ended up ‒ by his decision ‒ not playing. So, you’d have to ask him.”

Zakhari Franklin vs. the LSU Tigers

Fortunately for the Rebels, whatever uncertain future Franklin has with the team, will be largely immaterial. Franklin has totaled just four catches for 38 yards thus far in 2023 and has played in just three games.

He did score a key touchdown in the Rebels 28-21 win over Auburn, however.

Franklin, who was pursued by the Rebels after they lost the commitment of now Florida State star Keon Coleman, posted back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns in 2021 and 2022 with UTSA, and totaled double-digit touchdowns in each season.

Last year while helping UTSA claim its second conference title, Franklin posted career highs in receptions (94), receiving yards (1,136), and touchdowns (15).

Nominees announced for 2023 C Spire Conerly Trophy

2022 recipient Quinshon Judkins headlines the list of nominees for the award given to the most outstanding college football player in Mississippi

Mississippi Sports Museum announces 2022 C Spire Conerly trophy nominees

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame announced the nominees for the 2023 C Spire Conerly Trophy Tuesday. The trophy is awarded every year to the most outstanding football player in Mississippi and is named after Charlie Conerly, a Clarksdale-native who played football at Ole Miss and for the New York Giants.

One player from every NCAA football program in the state is nominated. The list includes the 2022 Conerly Trophy recipient, Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins.

The list of nominees:

Alcorn State – Aaron Allen (QB)

Belhaven – Kolbe Blunt (RB)

Delta State – Patrick Shegog (QB)

Jackson State – Irv Mulligan (RB)

Millsaps College – Ethan Klapatch (P)

Mississippi College – Marcus Williams (RB)

Mississippi State – Nathaniel “Bookie” Watson (LB)

Mississippi Valley State – Rondey Luckett (C)

Ole Miss – Quinshon Judkins (RB)

Southern Miss – Frank Gore Jr. (RB)

The 2023 Conerly Trophy will be awarded on November 28th at the Country Club of Jackson.