Now, nearly 10 years later, he is a scholar and a swotter.
The big lock, who has played 56 games for the Highlanders, is not hitting the academic books though. His study is lineouts and the art of winning the most important of set pieces.
The 27-year-old calls the lineout for the Highlanders and it is a role which is becoming all-consuming.
''I love it. It is a game within a game. I spend a lot of time in behind the scenes looking into it. And being ahead of the game as much as I can,'' he said.
''There is a lot of analysis. I look at things and all I can see is lineouts.''
He laughed when asked if he dreamed about lineouts but a good lineout does not simply happen. It takes work and time on the training paddock.
''The key is detail. You have to be ahead of the game and everyone is on the same page. Those little things like max lifts, good throws and good jumps. Action always beats that reaction - if you can do that better and beat the other team.''
Losing lineouts was not fun but it was a combination of events which led to a botched lineout.
''The hooker probably gets a bad rep. It is an easy out but we try not to point the finger too much.''
Franklin said the side was looking forward to taking on the Crusaders at Forsyth Barr Stadium but did not want to get too excited about the game.
''There is no lack of motivation for us. They are our local rivals and we really want to beat them. But in saying that every week is a big game so you need to take just every game as it comes.''
Franklin was a player who was knocking on the All Black door a couple of years ago. But he has been passed by the likes of Scott Barrett.
''I'm just taking every week as it comes and have broken it right down to working on little details each week. Just to better my game as much as I can and make my game as good as it can for this team.''
He wanted to be more dominant in the tackle area and be active at the breakdown.
The side had started the season well with two wins from two games, coming off a 33-15 win over the Stormers.
''Against the Stormers we had a good win. We went away happy but on the other hand frustrated as we did not play our best footy. That's a good thing - to win quite convincingly in the end but have a lot to work on.''