Miami Hurricanes’ Franklin enters the transfer portal. Here’s who’s left at running back

Thad Franklin Jr., who was considered one of the top 20 running backs in the 2021 recruiting class, left the Miami Hurricanes program on Friday.

Franklin, whose playing time declined significantly when UM entered conference play, announced he’s entering the transfer portal.

He joins safety/linebacker Gilbert Frierson as the second Hurricane this week to disclose plans to enter the portal.

“Growing up in South Florida, I have been a diehard Canes fan my whole life,” Franklin wrote on Instagram on Friday. “I grew up dreaming to hit the field in orange and green. I was honored to have the opportunity to be a Miami Hurricane and represent them on the gridiron. I am thankful for the opportunity and will always cherish my time at the U.

“However, my time at the University of Miami has come to an end. I will be entering the transfer portal in an effort to continue pursuing my dreams. I want to thank my coaches, my teammates and everyone associated with the program for allowing me to grow and make friendships, relationships and memories there. You will be truly missed.

“I want to thank the Hurricane fans for embracing me and for all the love you have shown me in my time there. I will always be a Cane at heart.”

Franklin, who attended Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, was rated the 13th-best running back in the 2021 class by Rivals and the 16th best by 247 Sports.

He ran 23 times for 172 yards (7.5 per carry) as a freshman last season, with two touchdowns, and one reception for 18 yards.

Franklin, considered UM’s best short-yardage and goal-line running back on scholarship, received 37 carries over the first four games of the season but had just 13 carries in six games since then and was recently seemingly surpassed on the depth chart by walk-on Lucious Stanley.

Franklin ran three times for 8 yards against FSU two weeks ago and three times for 7 yards at Georgia Tech last weekend.

Franklin finished this season with 50 carries for 209 yards (a 4.2 average) and five touchdowns, with five receptions for 41 yards.

His departure means that the two running backs signed by Manny Diaz and UM in 2021 have both left the program: Franklin and Cody Brown, who transferred to Virginia and has two carries for 4 yards this season.

Franklin’s exit leaves UM with four running backs on scholarship: third-year sophomores Henry Parrish Jr. and Jaylan Knighton; third-year redshirt freshman Don Chaney Jr. and freshman TreVonte’ Citizen.

Stanley spent the past five seasons at UAB and has played well for Miami when used in recent weeks, rushing 19 times for 94 yards (4.9 average).

UM coach Mario Cristobal has said that Parrish is expected to be available Saturday against Clemson (3:30 p.m., ESPN) after missing last weekend’s game with an injury.

Chaney, who has missed the entire season with a knee injury, practiced fully this week, but Cristobal hasn’t clarified his status for the Clemson game. Citizen is missing his freshman season with a knee injury.

Here’s my Friday piece with information about what two NFL studies reveal about the state of the UM football program.