Careion Franklin

By Lee Brecheen

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School: Lake Charles Prep HS, Class of 2025

Position: DB

Height: 5'9

Weight: 158

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One of the top sleeper defensive backs in South Louisiana is Careion Franklin from Lake Charles Prep High School, Class of 2025. Franklin stands at 5'9" and weighs 158 pounds. So far, through week 8 of a 10-game season, he has accumulated 7 to 8 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, and some big-time tackles as a cornerback. He’s a smart player with a high football IQ and good speed.

"Growing up, I didn’t really watch a lot of football. I was more of a track guy, but since my sophomore year, I’ve found myself watching smaller schools like Coastal Carolina, ULL, Louisiana Tech, Grambling State, Boise State, as well as bigger schools like Colorado, Oregon, LSU, and Alabama, to name a few. I started watching smaller colleges to give myself a baseline, as my goal is to play at the highest level in the SEC, Big 12, Pac-12, and other conferences. I also have to be honest and keep it real with myself—I know I haven’t grinded enough yet to make it there. Smaller Division I schools in the Sun Belt, MWC, and others are hungry and show a lot of character, and there’s not much of a drop-off in talent. Every player I’ve talked to from those schools has a great mindset and work ethic that I admire."

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“My goals for the rest of the year are to finish my senior season as strong as I can. I want to have an All-District and All-State type season. I also plan to break my school record for interceptions in a season, set by my cousin Erick Franklin with 5. I’m currently at 2 with 3 games left (not including playoffs), and I know I’m capable of doing it. Accomplishing all my goals is possible because of my teammates and coaching staff who have pushed me all season. Knowing I have them on my side keeps me going every day. My coaches are hard on me, but they also believe in me, and I appreciate it because that kind of relationship makes you love the game even more and want to keep playing.

“My Defensive Coordinator, Gabriel Starlard, had a talk with me before the season that gave me extra confidence to keep getting better as the season goes on. Head Coach Erick Franklin and Coach Ervin Williams also talk to me regularly, reminding me of what it takes if I want to play college ball. When I get to college, I’d like to major in engineering, although I might consider other options for my major by then. My hobbies include playing football with friends and getting extra work in on the field,” said Careion Franklin, Lake Charles Prep High School.

"Careion is an excellent player and an even better individual. He’s very vocal, something we encouraged him to embrace this year, and he’s become comfortable in his role. He never gets too high or too low, maintaining great confidence while working through adversity. I’m proud of him and how he’s playing. One thing we say is that it takes no talent to be yourself," said Gabriel Starlard, Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach for Lake Charles Prep HS.

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