Former Walkersville High tight end Jeremiah Franklin worked out with the New England Patriots in Boston on Thursday and will sign with the team, according to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports.
Reached by The Frederick News-Post on Thursday evening, Kenneth Franklin, Jeremiah's father, said his son had not yet signed with the Patriots but was expected to do so soon.
"We are grateful to the Patriots. We are grateful for the opportunity," Kenneth Franklin said. "We are grateful for today. But, my goodness, was it hard getting here."
After graduating from Walkersville in 2022, the 6-foot-3, 244-pound Franklin shined for three seasons as the starting tight end at Boston College.
Last season, he started all 12 of the Eagles' games and finished with 49 receptions for 506 yards and two touchdowns. He ranked in the top 10 nationally for receptions among tight ends and earned third team All-ACC honors.
That type of season got Franklin thinking that he could get drafted, according to his father. But then the NFL Draft came and went without Franklin getting selected. And then he went unsigned for the next three months.
Kenneth Franklin called the process his son endured "eye opening."
The Patriots expressed some interest in Jeremiah at the Boston College Pro Day, according to Kenneth, and remained in touch with him throughout the process. Kenneth said the Tennessee Titans also expressed some interest, but had yet to invite Franklin for a private workout.
Franklin was told he needed to lose some weight after the Boston College season, but he wound up losing too much, roughly 20 to 25 pounds, according to Kenneth.
"I kept thinking he is a tight end. He can't lose that much weight," Kenneth said.
Ever since, Jeremiah has dedicated himself to putting the weight back on the right way and getting himself in a little better shape, Kenneth said.
He was in the gym six days a week and did cardio three days a week, according to Kenneth. He also dedicated two days each week to doing field work at Martinsburg High School, near their home in West Virginia.
Jeremiah remained confident that he would eventually be signed by an NFL team, Kenneth said. He hadn't yet started forming a backup plan if the football dream did not come to fruition.
Jeremiah Franklin did not respond to a phone message from the News-Post seeking comment.
Walkersville High football coach Tyler Thompson said, "Obviously, it's an incredible thing for him. I am very happy for him and his family. It's fantastic for Walkersville football to be able to say that someone from our program is now playing in the NFL."
At Boston College, Franklin was coached by Bill O'Brien, the former offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Patriots under Bill Belichick.
In New England , he will be united with friend and fellow Frederick County resident Cameron Dorner, an Oakdale High School graduate and wide receiver who signed with the Patriots as a priority free agent right after the draft in April.
"Not everyone is promised to get this far," Kenneth Franklin said in reference to his son. "Training camp starts Saturday. Hopefully, he will make the team."
