Two conversations that brought Malique' Franklin to Alabama football 2026 roster

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DAPHNE, Ala. — Malique’ Franklin was just playing ball. And to Daphne High School football coach Kenny King, that’s an old-fashioned approach. 

Franklin was not worried about getting to the next level. He wasn’t worried about Name, Image and Likeness deals. None of the realities of this era of college football were a given for Franklin. He was too raw, too early into his development as a defensive end. 

“He just wanted the opportunity,” King told The Tuscaloosa News. “He didn’t even know he could play the position. ‘I’m just out here busting my butt doing the best that I can.’” 

Franklin’s best turned into a lifelong dream, signing and joining Alabama football’s 2026 recruiting class with one season of defensive line under his belt, a season he absolutely dominated at Daphne. It’s a stage, looking back, Franklin always believed he would be on. 

“I knew if I worked hard, I would be able to get there,” Franklin said. 

But it’s a stage Franklin wouldn’t have been able to take without two conversations. 

‘Make him eat his words’

Franklin liked to hit people. It’s what gravitated him toward football in the first place. But he didn’t feel he had the body to do it. 

As a Daphne freshman, Franklin was a 6-foot stocky, husky kid, one pinpointed as an offensive lineman from his first moment with the program. Franklin grew, moving to tight end as a “baby giraffe trying to figure his body out,” King joked. 

But Franklin wasn’t happy. He wasn’t successful. And before his senior season, he wanted a change. 

King remembers the “uncomfortable conversation” vividly. Franklin and his mother sat in King’s office. Franklin wanted to move to the defensive line, a position King knows better than anyone. King played defensive line at Alabama, finishing his career with experience at all three positions. And for Franklin to be successful, he had to choose violence, King said. He had to attack, to be quick, to be conditioned. 

“His challenge is to show me that he could do it,” King said. 

Franklin’s mother’s response was simple. 

“(Franklin’s) mom looked at him and said, ‘Coach don’t believe you can do it,’” King said. “‘You’re going to make him eat his words.’” 

Growing into a 6-foot-6, 265-pound monster off the edge, Franklin had 98 tackles, 23 tackles-for-loss, 11 sacks and a forced fumble in his first season as a starter, per 247Sports. He was large, but nimble, able to run to the ball, knock piles back and secure sacks. 

And when King sent out Franklin’s midseason highlight reel to college coaching friends across the country, it was enough to leave them with one common question: 

Who is this kid? 

“I work hard,” Franklin explained. “I do what I need to do. And I make plays when they need to be made.” 

‘That threw a wrench into everything’

Franklin did enough. And on the Monday before the start of the early signing period, he had a decision to make: Georgia Tech or Oklahoma. 

Franklin and his family met with King, talked through each option and, ultimately, made a decision. But as King left, Alabama called. 

The Crimson Tide had been interested in Franklin since October. Defensive line coach Freddie Roach, general manager Courtney Morgan and rest of the Crimson Tide staff were impressed with Franklin’s size, athleticism and potential for versatility. But Alabama’s 2026 class was full, until that Monday.

King handed the phone to Franklin. Alabama extended an official offer and a signing package. And King returned to the Franklin family couch. 

“That threw a wrench into everything,” King said. 

Franklin grew up an Alabama fan. And as a recruit, he said he “loved everything about them.” 

Two hours later, Franklin made it clear he wanted to turn that fandom into something more.

“It’s always something I wanted to play for,” Franklin said. 

But the next day, Franklin needed reassurance. He returned to King with anxiety, unsure that the Crimson Tide thought he was actually good enough “because I’m more like a second-hand guy.” 

Franklin’s path to Alabama is not normal. And King made it clear: Franklin was not “second-hand.” He was just a “late bloomer.” 

“You never see a kid that’s never started for three years of their high school career, have a heck of a year his senior year and go to Alabama,” King said. “It’s just unheard of.” 

Franklin is not resting. He’s working. Alabama wants him 10-to-15 pounds heavier before he officially starts his journey as a Bandit defensive end, one that could potentially move inside if needed. 

“They just need you to do your job,” Franklin said. “They say if you just do your job, you’ll be successful.” 

That’s “the biggest thing” that separates Franklin, King says. It’s the “X-factor” answer to the question of if Franklin will “make it” with the Crimson Tide. 

King knows what Franklin could be. Franklin is a project, one season into defensive line development. But King knows the sky is the limit for a player like Franklin, pointing back to that challenge King made as Franklin moved from offense to defense.

“If he wants to do it, he can do it,” King said. “The only thing holding Malique’ back is him.”

Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Malique’ Franklin unlikely rise to Alabama football 2026 roster

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