Rising Star: Tennessee Vols Freshman Earns National Spotlight as One of PFF’s Top 10 True Freshmen to Watch in 2025

The buzz around Tennessee football continues to grow as the 2025 season approaches, and this time it’s not centered around returning veterans or transfer additions, but a true freshman who has already begun turning heads across the nation. In its latest national outlook, Pro Football Focus (PFF) named Tennessee freshman defensive back Kamarion Franklin as one of the top 10 true freshmen to watch in 2025—a prestigious recognition that places the young Vol in elite company and sends a clear message across the SEC: Tennessee’s future is bright, and it’s arriving fast.

For Vol Nation, the recognition confirms what coaches, teammates, and insiders have been saying since Franklin stepped on campus earlier this year. A former five-star prospect out of Mississippi, Franklin was one of the crown jewels of Tennessee’s 2025 signing class. His combination of size, speed, and instincts made him a coveted recruit, and he turned down offers from multiple SEC powerhouses to don the orange and white. Now, just months into his college career, Franklin has already begun carving out a role on a defense that’s looking to establish itself as one of the most aggressive and versatile units in the SEC.

At 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, Franklin doesn’t look like a typical freshman. He arrived on campus physically ready to compete at the college level, with the kind of raw athleticism and frame that can be molded into an elite edge rusher or hybrid linebacker. During spring practices and early fall camp, he has drawn consistent praise from Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks, who has emphasized Franklin’s coachability, effort, and surprising grasp of the playbook for such a young player. While nothing is guaranteed in the cutthroat SEC, Franklin has already earned first-team reps in certain packages and appears poised to make an immediate impact this season.

PFF’s recognition reflects more than just raw talent—it’s a projection based on film, measurables, camp reports, and Tennessee’s defensive system. Franklin isn’t just a future star in theory. He’s a player with the traits and the opportunity to shine now. He’s long, explosive off the edge, and relentless in pursuit. His pass-rushing ability has drawn comparisons to some of the league’s top veterans, and his ability to defend both the run and pass gives Tennessee rare flexibility on defense. Simply put, Franklin is the kind of prospect that changes how coaches draw up game plans.

Tennessee’s coaching staff has made no secret of its excitement about the 2025 freshman class, and Franklin stands at the forefront of that group. He was a standout during the team’s spring game, showcasing his burst and bend around the edge with a pair of pressures and a tackle for loss. But beyond the flashes of talent, it’s his maturity that’s impressing people most. Franklin has quickly become a student of the game, studying film alongside veterans, asking questions in meetings, and attacking each practice with purpose. He’s not just playing football—he’s preparing to excel in it.

The importance of Franklin’s emergence cannot be overstated, especially given Tennessee’s aspirations in the newly expanded College Football Playoff era. The Vols are building a defense that can not only complement their high-powered offense but dominate in its own right. With multiple veterans gone from the 2024 front seven, including edge rusher Tyler Baron and defensive tackle Omari Thomas, there is an urgent need for new contributors to step up. Franklin’s development, combined with a talented group of returners and fellow freshmen, could be the key to pushing Tennessee’s defense from solid to special.

The spotlight from PFF is also significant in how it positions Tennessee nationally. The Vols have steadily rebuilt their brand under head coach Josh Heupel, recruiting at a higher level each year and developing talent that fits their aggressive, high-tempo identity. But what’s often been missing in recent years is a true freshman defender who can make an instant impact at a national level. If Franklin lives up to the hype—and early indications suggest he will—he could become the face of the next wave of Tennessee stars.

For fans, Franklin’s rise brings excitement, but also a reminder of how far the program has come. Just a few years ago, Tennessee struggled to land and keep elite defensive prospects. Now, they’re not only signing them—they’re developing them, featuring them, and watching them earn national praise before even taking their first collegiate snap. That’s a reflection of the staff’s commitment to player development and the strength of the program’s culture.

Franklin’s inclusion in PFF’s top 10 list comes amid a flurry of preseason recognition for Tennessee’s young core. Several other freshmen, including wide receiver Braylon Staley and linebacker Edwin Spillman, have also drawn early attention in camp, but Franklin is clearly at the forefront. His trajectory mirrors that of other recent SEC freshmen who made immediate impacts, such as Harold Perkins at LSU or Mykel Williams at Georgia. Those players became cornerstones for their defenses, and Tennessee is hoping Franklin can do the same.

The next few weeks of fall camp will be critical in determining Franklin’s role early in the season. While he may not start from day one, he is expected to play significant snaps in rotational packages and may even be used in creative blitz looks or third-down sub-packages where his pass-rushing skills can shine. The Vols open the season with a high-profile non-conference matchup, followed quickly by SEC play—meaning Franklin will have every opportunity to prove himself on the biggest stages in college football.

Tennessee fans will be watching closely, not just because Franklin is a talented freshman, but because he represents the next step in the program’s evolution. He’s a symbol of the recruiting success Tennessee has built, the developmental culture they’ve installed, and the high ceiling this team possesses. If he hits his stride early, he could be a breakout force in 2025 and a foundational player for years to come.

What makes Franklin’s rise even more impressive is the humility with which he carries himself. Coaches and teammates have noted that he’s not someone who buys into the hype. He understands that rankings don’t mean anything once you put on the pads. He speaks in team-first terms, deflects praise, and keeps his focus on improving every day. That mindset, combined with his natural gifts, is what gives people inside the program so much confidence in his long-term potential.

As the 2025 season kicks off, Tennessee will be relying on a mix of experienced veterans and rising stars to navigate one of the toughest schedules in the country. There will be challenges, especially on the road in SEC play. But having players like Kamarion Franklin ready to contribute immediately changes the equation. It gives the Vols more than just depth—it gives them difference-makers who can alter games and shift momentum with a single play.

The Pro Football Focus spotlight may be the first national recognition Franklin receives, but it likely won’t be the last. If he performs to the level he’s shown in practice, he’ll soon be on every All-Freshman watch list in the country. He’ll be someone offensive coordinators scheme around and NFL scouts circle in their notebooks for future seasons.

For now, Tennessee fans should enjoy what they have: a rare freshman talent, committed to the grind, backed by a coaching staff that knows how to use him, and poised to help the Vols take their next big step on the national stage. Kamarion Franklin isn’t just one of the top true freshmen to watch—he might be one of the most important players on Tennessee’s roster in 2025.