OL Weston Franklin Talks About His Expanded Leadership Role On the 2023 Team

Franklin is expected to be the starting center for the Yellow Jackets

Center Weston Franklin is projected to be one of the returning starters for Georgia Tech this season and if he can improve upon his play from last season, this unit has a chance of being much better than in previous years. 

A lot of experience is returning for the Yellow Jackets' offensive line, but just because there is a lot of experience, does not mean that there is going to be leadership. Both head coach Brent Key and offensive line coach Geep Wade have spoked about Franklin emerging as one of the leaders and Franklin touched on that yesterday when asked:

"It is more of a mentality change for me. I knew going into this year that I would still be a young guy, but still a vet at the same time so I know those guys look up to me at the same time so I am stepping into that role and trying to be the best leader of the team."

When asked about some things that he is doing differently this year to help improve that leadership, Franklin talked about the experience that he gained last year and how big of a factor that has been:

"Last year, I was just trying to figure out things for myself, this year, I know a lot more about what is going on in the game and stuff like that and I am able to help the younger guys and the guys around me if they don't quite see it and giving them a helping hand. Just helping those guys out has been a big part of it."

Brent Key has given praise to Weston Franklin for his leadership this offseason / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier this week after practice, Wade talked about Franklin and what he has seen from him this spring in terms of leadership:

"It is huge. That position is huge. We put a lot on that position to run and reach, to block back, to make calls. The thing about spring is that you are not game planning so you are seeing everything so that is good and you learn how to really sit back and teach, hey if this linebacker is here, ID here and we are really going through a lot and he is really catching on and I wish I had more of him and we are trying to go out and recruit more guys like him.

One thing that I will say about him and Joe Fusile is that those guys have benefitted from AJ in the weight room and have gotten bigger and stronger, got twitchier. When you get stronger, you get twitchier and that makes you a better football player with hat speed so Joe Fusile, I think he is a different player this year because of the work he put in the offseason."

The White and Gold Spring game is set for next Saturday at 1:00 p.m. 

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