Sam Franklin Jr. Bio
Samuel Lamar Franklin Jr. is an American professional football safety for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 3 in and listed at 210 lb, he plays primarily on the back end of the defense and has contributed on special teams throughout his career. He played college football for the Temple Owls and was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2020.
Over the course of his professional career, Franklin has also spent time with the Denver Broncos before joining the Buffalo Bills in 2025. His professional path, from undrafted rookie to multi-year contributor, has been built through special teams play and incremental defensive snaps. He remains active in the NFL as of the 2025 season.
Early Life and Background
Samuel Lamar Franklin Jr. was born on February 2, 1996, in Inverness, Florida, USA. He grew up in nearby Crystal River, Florida, where he attended Citrus High School. At Citrus, he was a versatile football player, lining up at wide receiver, safety, and linebacker for the school team.
Coming out of high school, Franklin was recruited by the University of Massachusetts, but he did not qualify academically. To strengthen his academic record and test scores, he enrolled at East Coast Prep for a post-graduate year. While at the prep school, he played alongside Myles Hartsfield, who would later join him on the Carolina Panthers.
After completing his prep year, Franklin went on to play college football at Temple University, where he spent four seasons developing as a defensive back and linebacker for the Temple Owls.
Path to the NFL
Franklin joined the Temple Owls in 2016 and spent four seasons in the program. He began his collegiate career as a defensive back before transitioning to linebacker. As a senior, he ranked as the team’s third-leading tackler with 68 stops and added 7.5 tackles for loss, demonstrating his ability to play in space and near the line of scrimmage.
Across his four-year collegiate career, Franklin appeared in 53 games and produced 194 tackles, including 24 tackles for loss, eight sacks, two interceptions, 10 pass breakups, three fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble. His versatility and production helped him earn consideration as an NFL prospect despite going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Sam Franklin Jr. Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Franklin signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent on May 2, 2020, and made the team’s roster out of training camp. His first significant defensive action came on October 18 against the Chicago Bears, when he stepped in following an injury to Juston Burris and recorded two tackles.
Later that season, in Week 9 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Franklin notched his first career sack, taking down quarterback Patrick Mahomes during a 33–31 loss. Those early appearances established him as a core special teams player and a depth option at safety and linebacker.
Carolina Panthers Breakthrough (2022–2024)
Franklin continued to develop with the Panthers, taking on an expanded role on defense and special teams. In Week 4 of the 2023 season against the Minnesota Vikings, he recorded his first career interception and returned it 99 yards for his first NFL defensive touchdown. The play set the franchise record for the longest interception returned for a touchdown in Carolina Panthers history.
One week later, against the Detroit Lions, Franklin set a new personal high with eight total tackles, including seven solo stops. His 2023 production cemented his role as a reliable rotational defensive back and core special teams contributor.
On July 29, 2024, Franklin suffered a broken foot during a training camp practice and was placed on injured reserve to begin the season. He was activated on October 26, 2024, and returned to contribute down the stretch for Carolina.
Denver Broncos Era (2025)
On April 8, 2025, Franklin signed a one-year guaranteed contract with the Denver Broncos. His tenure in Denver was short, however, as he was released by the team on August 26, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Era (2025–Present)
On August 27, 2025, Franklin signed with the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad, and he was promoted to the active roster on September 4, 2025. The move gave him an opportunity to contribute on special teams and in sub-packages on defense for Buffalo.
On February 27, 2026, Franklin signed a three-year contract extension with the Bills worth up to $7.5 million. The agreement reflected his value as a steady special teams player and a flexible defensive back within the Buffalo system.
Notable Events and Milestones
Franklin’s signature NFL moment came with his 99-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in 2023, which set the Carolina Panthers franchise record for longest interception returned for a touchdown. His first career sack of Patrick Mahomes and his career-high eight-tackle performance against the Detroit Lions also stand out as defining early highlights.
Sam Franklin Jr. Career Stats
As of the 2025 season, Sam Franklin Jr. has recorded 118 total tackles, 1.0 sack, 1 forced fumble, 5 pass deflections, 1 interception, and 1 defensive touchdown across his NFL career. Those numbers reflect a player whose primary value has come on special teams and in spot defensive roles rather than as a full-time starter.
Carolina Panthers Highlights
Franklin spent his first five NFL seasons with the Carolina Panthers from 2020 through 2024. His most memorable contributions came during the 2023 season, when he posted his first career interception, his first NFL defensive touchdown, and a career-high eight tackles against the Detroit Lions. He finished his Panthers tenure as a trusted special teams player and rotational defensive back.
Other Performances
Outside of Carolina, Franklin’s brief 2025 stop with the Denver Broncos preceded his signing and subsequent contract extension with the Buffalo Bills. Through that journey, he has demonstrated the kind of reliability and versatility that teams look for in reserve defensive backs and core special teamers.
Sam Franklin Jr. Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Franklin grew up in Crystal River, Florida, near his hometown of Inverness, and attended Citrus High School, where he played multiple positions in football. Public information about his immediate family, including parents and siblings, is limited.
Franklin maintains a public presence on social media through his Instagram account, where he is known by the handle dunk_4x. Beyond football and his online activity, additional verified personal-life details are not publicly documented.
2025 Season Performance
Franklin’s 2025 season began with a one-year guaranteed contract signed with the Denver Broncos on April 8. After being released by Denver on August 26, he quickly caught on with the Buffalo Bills, joining their practice squad on August 27 before being promoted to the active roster on September 4. The transitions gave him a chance to compete for a special teams and rotational safety role in Buffalo’s defense.
Through the 2025 season, Franklin has continued to contribute as a depth defensive back and core special teams player for the Bills, a role consistent with how he was deployed late in his Carolina tenure. His steady production in coverage and on kicking units has helped him remain an active roster piece for Buffalo.
On February 27, 2026, Franklin signed a three-year contract extension with the Bills worth up to $7.5 million, signaling the team’s confidence in his role heading into future seasons. The deal underscores how his career arc, from undrafted free agent to multi-year extension recipient, has been built on special teams consistency and dependable depth contributions.
