Before attending the University of Michigan, Franklin drew attention as the talented quarterback of the 1970 Massillon High School Tigers football team.

He ran an offense that played eight future NCAA Division I players, including Steve Luke (Ohio State Buckeyes), Larry Harper (Miami Redskins, now RedHawks), Mike Mauger (Wisconsin Badgers, Kent State Golden Flashes) and Willie Spencer (World Football League).

Franklin's older brothers, Walter and Ed, had won state championships with Massillon.

In July 2007, he was inducted into the Stark County High School Football Hall of Fame.

[3] Franklin was voted team captain in 1974,[4] was an Honorable Mention All American and finished sixth in the 1974 Heisman Trophy balloting.

[5] Franklin also won the 1974 Meyer Morton award,[4] given by the M Club of Chicago for the football player show shows the greatest development and most promise as a result of spring practice and the 1972 John Maulbetsch Award, which is given to the freshman football candidate after spring practice on the basis of desire, character, capacity for leadership and future success both on and off the gridiron.

[8] After retiring from football, Franklin rose to vice president at King World Productions in New York City, a television distributor that produced Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, and Oprah.