Zakhari Franklin, one of the best wide receivers in Conference USA the past few seasons and the owner of several records at UTSA, has entered the transfer portal, according to multiple reports.
Franklin is a 6-foot-1, 185-pound upcoming senior from Cedar Hill, Texas. He had been one of the Roadrunners’ leading receivers since he was a true freshman in 2019 and had received all-conference accolades every season since 2020.
Last year, he was one of a trio of UTSA wideouts to earn All-Conference USA honors, making the all-conference first team. He broke his own single-season school records for receiving yards, catches, and touchdowns which he had set in 2021. He totaled 1,136 yards and 15 touchdowns on 94 receptions in 2022.
The season before, he caught 81 passes for 1,027 yards and 12 touchdowns. That helped him earn all-conference first-team recognition for the first time in his career.
The year before, when he was on the All-Conference USA honorable mention list, he recorded 694 yards and seven touchdowns on 49 catches. In 2019, he was tied for the team lead with 38 receptions and was second with 491 yards to go with three touchdowns.
He owns the program records for receiving touchdowns (37), catches (262), and receiving yards (3,348).
Fortunately for the Roadrunners, they still have plenty of talent at wide receiver as they transition to the AAC this year.
De’Corian Clark and Joshua Cephus, two UTSA wideouts who were on the all-conference second team in 2022, are still on the team’s 2023 roster. UTSA quarterback Frank Harris, the C-USA Championship MVP and all-conference first-teamer last season, is also on the roster.
