Franklin grew up in Crystal River, Florida and attended Citrus High School, where he played wide receiver, safety and linebacker on the football team.

He enrolled at East Coast Prep, where he played alongside future Panthers teammate Myles Hartsfield for a post-graduate year to improve his grades and test scores.

[3] Franklin was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent on May 2, 2020, and made the team out of training camp.

[5][6][7] On October 18, Franklin had his first meaningful action against the Chicago Bears when Juston Burris was injured, making two tackles.

[9] In Week 4 of the 2023 season against the Minnesota Vikings, Franklin recorded his first career interception which he then returned 99 yards for his first NFL defensive touchdown.