Former ASU linebacker Jason Franklin dies at age 26

Doug Haller | The Republic | azcentral.com

Jason Franklin, a former walk-on linebacker who earned a scholarship his junior season at Arizona State, has died, his mother posted on Facebook Sunday night. The cause of death was not immediately known. Franklin was 26.

A Simi Valley, Calif., native, Franklin played for ASU under coach Todd Graham from 2011-2015, contributing mostly on special teams. On Aug. 20, 2014, Graham surprised Franklin and four others, awarding them with a scholarship after a preseason compliance meeting.

On behalf of Sun Devil Football, we wish to send our most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of alumnus Jason Franklin.



Our thoughts are with everyone close to Jason in this extremely tough time. pic.twitter.com/I38uzLgFOu — Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) July 16, 2018

Later that day, Franklin told azcentral sports: "There are no words that I can explain. All the work we have put in. All the hours. Some of these guys, they get their school paid for. We did it voluntarily because we love this game. To be a walk-on on this team for as long as we have, you got to look at it as a game and you got to love this game or else you won't survive. And we've seen many people fall through the cracks."

As a senior, Franklin appeared in just one game but earned praise for his practice habits, earning the the Glen Hawkins Scout Team Defensive MVP. He graduated with a communications degree in 2015.

Sunday night, Graham tweeted: "Prayers for Jason Franklin & Family RIP #SunDevil4Life"

Prayers for Jason Franklin & Family R.I.P. #SunDevil4Life — Todd Graham (@RealCoachGraham) July 16, 2018

At the end of his college career, Franklin started working in media, starring in a "Franklin Knows Best" segment for KPNX-TV.

His senior season he gave viewers an inside look at Camp Tontozona, interviewing teammates after practice, winking confidently into the camera.

He later reported from the Kurt Warner Classic, the Renaissance Festival and Barrett-Jackson Car Auction. He also worked at NBC Sports 1060 radio.

On May 27, Franklin announced on his Facebook page that he had launched a web site, excusejfrank.com. On a site bio, he wrote that he had "settled into my place in the world as a media production director, an eager on air personality, a lifestyle concierge (to my professional friends) and an account executive all at G6 Sports & Entertainment Group."

Franklin's former teammates expressed their sorrow late Sunday night.

"Jason Franklin, you will be missed," tweeted former linebacker Brandon Magee. "Great guy always had a smile on his face. Truly one of a kind. #Sundevil4life #55 R.I.P."

Jason Franklin you will be missed. Great guy always had a smile on his face. Truly one of a kind. #Sundevil4Life #55 R.I.P — Brandon A. Magee (@BMagee53) July 16, 2018

Lord I come to you with heavy hearts as I ask to lift up Jason Franklin family in this dreadful tragedy. I ask that you be with them in this time of need and comfort them with your love. Amen. As the bible says “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” — Carl Bradford (@CarlBradford_) July 15, 2018

RIP Jason Franklin 💔 — Z. (@thebrozack) July 15, 2018

RIP Jason Franklin. A true friend and a true SunDevil. My prayers go out to his family. #SunDevil4Life — Easton Wahlstrom (@Easton777) July 16, 2018

Contact Doug Haller at 602-444-4949 or at doug.haller@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/DougHaller.