Orlando Franklin set to be 'a beast at guard' in NFL

 

INDIANAPOLIS — University of Miami offensive lineman Orlando Franklin played his entire senior season with a torn meniscus, and out of position. But at the NFL combine, he is working to prove to NFL scouts that he’s not only healthy, but will become “a beast at guard” for the team that selects him in April's draft.

Here is a Q&A I had with the former Delray Beach Atlantic High School star:

How much interaction have you had with NFL coaches?
“They are just excited to see what I’m going to do. Everyone knows I had surgery six weeks ago [to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee] and they are excited to see that I got back as fast as possible and that I’m going to be doing everything at the combine.”

Do you feel like you’re 100 percent physically?
“I feel like if I’m not 100, I’m 98.”

Do you know when you tore the meniscus in your left knee?
“I suffered it my junior year. I was asking to get an MRI at the end of the season but they thought it was tendinitis so we elected not to get the MRI. But I finally got the MRI three weeks before camp started, in the middle of July and it turned out my meniscus was torn. At the University of Miami I thought we had something special going on this year and I was playing a different position so I didn’t want to have surgery. I wanted to be there for my teammates and not miss any days of camp.”

When coaches ask you what position you see yourself playing what do you say?
“I’ll play any position they’ll have me at. I’ll play guard for three years at the collegiate level and tackle for one year. If you look at the situation I’m more comfortable at guard because I’ve been playing it for three years, but if they need me to go in and get it done at tackle I can definitely get it done.”

Outside of the experience factor what makes you more comfortable at guard?
“Just going against different players, I’ve played it for two years and the reason I’m more comfortable at the position is because I’ve played so much at it. I feel as if I’ve got all the answers at guard. I feel as if I’m a beast at guard.”

Do you feel like playing left tackle your senior year hurt you?
“It didn’t hurt me. But it doesn’t matter what it did for me, as long as I helped my teammates out, did what I needed to do for the University of Miami it’s all good. They were there for me and I was happy to be there for them. I was happy to play any position. If they wanted me to play center, even though I’ve never taken a snap at that position I would have definitely go there and help them out.”

What type of player do you think you can develop into?
“With a little technique work I think I can be a great tackle in the NFL. I think I’ll be a great guard being that I’ve played it for three years already. Whatever team drafts me and gives me an opportunity I’m going to work at whatever position they have me playing and I’m going to get better each and every day.”

What do you feel like you have the most to prove during this evaluation process in the draft?
“I’m trying to show my will to get it done. I’ve never had to come back from an injury this quick. I’ve never really had to get up every day and train hard to get back. I had surgery six weeks ago and I’ve been running full speed for two weeks. I wasn’t supposed to do that. With hard work and dedication I was able to.”

Did you develop a different mindset having to come back from that injury?
“I always had a tough mentality, but I had to get a little tougher to get back and do what I was able to do (prepare for the combine). I had to toughen up even more and let the doctors do exactly what they wanted me to do and not question them….I knew they had my best interest in mind and I was going to be able to come back as quickly as possible.”

Was the NFL always a goal?
“I grew up in Toronto, Canada so I never thought I’d be here. I’m definitely excited to be here and to meet new people. I’ve been looking forward to this weekend to show NFL teams what I can do. The hard part is gone. The games are over, the training is done. I’m excited to show them what I can do. I got to do what I always do. Run fast, jump high and lift a lot of weight. My biggest asset is I’m a very explosive guy and I’m fast. I’m ready to showcase that.

What was the medical process for you like at the combine?
“It was cool because my knee doesn’t hurt at all. I was pretty happy. I thought they’d force it to start hurting but my knee doesn’t hurt at all. It was a great feeling to get through that without a twinge or anything. We were there for about five hours.”

Do you think this is the year the Hurricanes get back in the first round?
“There’s eight of us here. I’m excited to see us this weekend. I know we’re ready to perform.”

What do you think is the biggest thing that got you here, to this point?
“I got a great mom [in Sylvia Allen]. She left me in Jamaica when I was 2 years old. She moved to Canada, got her papers and got legally situated. A year later I was flying up to Canada after she filed for us [to immigrate]. When I was about 15 years old I told my mom I wanted to play football and I thought Florida would be the best place for me, and the best opportunity for me to do that. She ups and quits her job, moves down here and a year later I’m down in Florida. I got a great mom that will do anything to see her children succeed. She’s definitely been there for me for 100 percent and I wouldn’t be anywhere without her.”



(sun-sentinel.com)