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.

Matt Galatzan | Nov 13, 2023

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Ole Miss Rebels

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 / Carleigh Harbin-The Grove Report

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).

Published Nov 13, 2023

MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan the Editor-In-Chief of TheGroveReport.com. Galatzan graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry under Mike Fisher at DallasBasketball.com in 2014, which at the time was part of the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com on the 247Sports network. When DallasBasketball.com and CowboysCountry.com moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, Galatzan followed suit, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com and AllAggies.com a year later. Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, former Longhorns players Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, and many other recruits, and current/former players for each of the teams he has covered. Galatzan is also a full-time employee in the digital media department for Audacy and KRLD FM's 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, which is the official radio home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels.