The Bears Have Reportedly Signed a “Last Chance U” Star, All-American Track and Field Ace, and an All-Conference Lineman

The Chicago Bears’ three-day rookie minicamp wasn’t just important for the draft picks and undrafted free agents who were signed after the draft. It was also a time for players in town on a tryout basis to earn contracts with the team.

It’s diamond-in-the-rough season across the NFL, and the Bears added a few new names to the roster who will be fighting for spots in the coming weeks and months.

John Franklin III showed off his versatility during a topsy-turvy college career. Franklin played wide receiver and quarterback during his stints at Florida State, Auburn, and Florida Atlantic University. And after lining up at defensive back and kick returnerduring the Bears’ minicamp, Shandel Richardson of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports Franklin has signed with Chicago. Franklin, a four-star recruit coming out of South Plantation High School in Florida, might be best known for his role on “Last Chance U” – a Netflix show that took an inside look at the East Mississippi Community College football team.

Franklin has speed to burn, running the 40-yard dash in 4.44 seconds at FAU’s pro day and posting an unofficial time of 4.19 seconds at a workout in Fort Lauderdale.

No, seriously:

Mark Grote of 670 The Score tweeted that wide receiver Matt Fleming as a player who stood out during the weekend minicamp. Fleming played his college ball at Division III Benedictine University, but was a more notable as a track-and-field athlete where he earned All-American honors and was part of a national championship winning relay team in 2017. If there’s one thing we know, it’s that you can’t teach speed.

Fleming tweeted this on Sunday evening:

Fleming will have his work cut out for him, especially at a crowded position group. Still, Fleming has  certainly done enough to impress in the eyes of the coaching staff to the point where he joined the Bears’ 90-man roster.

The same goes for offensive lineman Jeremi Hall, who Chris Emma tweets the Bears will sign after a positive showing at the team’s minicamp. Hall is a University of South Florida product who played left guard and was a first-team All-AAC. I guess this makes he and Anthony Miller teammates again. Miller was also named to the American Athletic Conference’s first-team in 2017 for the big year he had at Memphis as a senior.

Chicago seems to have reloaded the interior of the offensive line during the offseason, so that’s a position we’ll have circled to keep an extra close eye on when training camp rolls around.

written by

Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

more bears news

Dan Campbell is Happy To See Justin Fields Leave the NFC North

There was no escaping the mixed emotions from Chicago Bears fans when the Justin Fields trade went down earlier this month. But there were none of that from Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell. Heck, I'd argue there was just...

Another Pass Rusher Signs Elsewhere: Jadeveon Clowney Lands With the Panthers

Another day. Another pass rusher signing. And another defensive lineman going to a team that isn't the Chicago Bears. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was the first with the news of Jadeveon Clowney signing with the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, ESPN's...

Malik Nabers Might’ve Run His Way Out of the Chicago Bears Draft Spot

Today was LSU's Pro Day and Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles was scheduled to be in attendance, per The Athletic's Adam Jahns. Assuming Poles made his flight, he got a good look at the likes of quarterback Jayden Daniels, as...

Goodell on Bears Stadium Deal, No to Hard Knocks? More Old Friends Go to Steelers, and Other Bears Bullets

I keep forgetting that I have a Starbucks gift card from Christmas that has gone unused to this point. Maybe I'll remember it next time I go out for coffee. A big shout out to PFF Brad, who made the...

Ryan Poles Was Pissed Off By RGIII’s Comments About Caleb Williams Situation

When I saw them pop up, RGIII's comments suggesting Caleb Williams pull an Eli Manning and refuse to play for the Chicago Bears were met with an eye-roll, audible groan, and immediate dismissal before moving onto more pertinent topics. But...

Bears Stadium Update: Kevin Warren Reiterates Plans to Build in Downtown Chicago

It sure is starting to sound like Arlington Heights fumbled the bag when it comes to locking in Arlington Park as the future home of a Chicago Bears stadium. While meeting with the media at the NFL owners meetings in...

The NFL is Playing a Christmas Day Doubleheader in 2024

Christmastime is generally full of cheer. And in 2024, it will be full of cheering. In fact, we're talking double the cheer. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reports the league will play not one, but *TWO* Christmas Day games. It's...

2024 NFL Mock Draft: How High Can J.J. McCarthy’s Stock Rise?

Hard to believe we're less than a month away from the 1st Round of the 2024 NFL Draft! With just weeks remaining until the NFL's most noteworthy offseason event, there are plenty of rumors floating. As we work through all...

NFL Rules Shakeup, Tomlin on Fields, Trubisky’s Linsanity Run, and Other Bears Bullets

The Bachelor's season-finale had a couple of jaw-dropping moments. Once the group chat catches up, it is going to be lit. What better way to start Bears Bullets than with breakfast anecdotes? I think I'm going to enjoy D'Andre Swift's...

Around the NFL: New Kickoff Rules Explained, NFL Trade Deadline Extended, More

NFL owners ratified a sweeping overhaul of the kickoff play on Tuesday, embracing a format inspired by the XFL following three days of deliberations at the league’s yearly gathering. Essentially, the new format relocates the bulk of both kicking and return teams...

Latest News

Orioles vs. Angels Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Baltimore Orioles begin their season as -192 favorites in a home tilt against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday at 3:05 PM ET, live on BSW.Baltimore's Corbin Burnes and Los Angeles' Patrick Sandoval have been named the starters for...

Wyoming vs South Dakota Women’s College Basketball Odds and Prediction – March 29

The South Dakota Coyotes (23-12) will try to break a three-game road losing streak when they square off against the Wyoming Cowgirls (17-14) on March 29, 2024 at Arena-Auditorium.Wyoming vs. South Dakota NCAA Game InfoDate: Friday, March 29, 2024Time: 8:30...

Minnesota vs North Dakota State Women’s College Basketball Odds and Prediction – March 29

The Minnesota Golden Gophers (17-15) face the North Dakota State Bison (22-11) on March 29, 2024.Minnesota vs. North Dakota State NCAA Game InfoDate: Friday, March 29, 2024Time: 8:00 PM ETWhere: Minneapolis, MinnesotaVenue: Williams ArenaLast Game For Each TeamMinnesota enters this...

Rays vs. Blue Jays Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Tampa Bay Rays (0-0) and the Toronto Blue Jays (0-0) face off on Thursday at Tropicana Field for Opening Day. First pitch is at 4:10 PM ET.The Rays will call on Zach Eflin versus the Blue Jays and Jose...

Dodgers vs. Cardinals Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Los Angeles Dodgers (1-1) and the St. Louis Cardinals (0-0) face off at Dodger Stadium on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET, starting a four-game series.The Dodgers will look to Tyler Glasnow versus the Cardinals and Miles Mikolas.Dodgers vs. Cardinals...

Padres vs. Giants Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The San Francisco Giants (0-0) begin a four-game series against the San Diego Padres (1-1) on Thursday at PETCO Park. First pitch is at 4:10 PM.The Padres will look to Yu Darvish versus the Giants and Logan Webb.Padres vs. Giants...

Astros vs. Yankees Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Houston Astros (0-0) and the New York Yankees (0-0) face off on Thursday at Minute Maid Park for Opening Day. First pitch is at 4:10 PM ET.The Astros will call on Framber Valdez against the Yankees and Nestor Cortes...

Reds vs. Nationals Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Cincinnati Reds (0-0) and the Washington Nationals (0-0) face off on Thursday at Great American Ball Park for Opening Day. First pitch is at 4:10 PM ET.The Reds will call on Frankie Montas against the Nationals and Josiah Gray.Reds...

Marlins vs. Pirates Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Miami Marlins (0-0) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (0-0) match up on Thursday at LoanDepot park for Opening Day. First pitch is at 4:10 PM ET.The Marlins will look to Jesus Luzardo versus the Pirates and Mitch Keller.Marlins vs. Pirates...

Twins vs. Royals Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Kansas City Royals (0-0) host the Minnesota Twins (0-0) in an Opening Day contest at 4:10 PM ET on Thursday.The Twins will call on Pablo Lopez versus the Royals and Cole Ragans.Twins vs. Royals Pitcher Matchup and Game InfoWhen:...

more bears news