Zaire Franklin

Zaire Franklin (born July 2, 1996) is an American football linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Syracuse.

College career
Franklin played the position of Linebacker for Syracuse University Football for 2014-2017 seasons. While at Syracuse, Franklin recorded 311 career tackles over the course of 48 total games, starting the final 39 of his career. Franklin was a two-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection. Additionally, he was only the second three-time captain in Orange football history and the first since 1896.

Professional career
Franklin was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round, 235th overall, of the 2018 NFL Draft. The Colts previously obtained the pick used to select Franklin by trading Henry Anderson to the New York Jets. Franklin made his NFL debut on September 9, 2018, against the Cincinnati Bengals, recording one tackle on special teams. He made his first career start at linebacker on September 23 against the Philadelphia Eagles, notching one tackle on defense and another on special teams. In his rookie season, Franklin appeared in all 16 regular season games, starting two, and recorded 29 tackles and one pass defended.

On September 8, 2020, Franklin was named one of the five team captains heading into the 2020 season.

On March 16, 2022, Franklin signed a three-year, $12 million contract extension with the Colts. In the 2022 season, Franklin had three sacks, 167 total tackles (102 solo), six passes defended, and two forced fumbles in 17 starts.

In 2023, Franklin finished the season second in the league with a career-high 179 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and six passes defensed through 16 starts.

On March 11, 2024, with Franklin beginning the last year of his contract, the Colts signed him to a three-year extension worth up to $31.3 million.

Personal life
Franklin was the Colts nominee for the 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for his charitable efforts in founding and leading Shelice's Angels. Shelice's Angels seeks "to open doors and provide resources that will help build self esteem while providing positive reinforcement in the lives of young women" and focuses specifically in the areas of technology, community giving, and academic achievement.