John Franklin III's decision to transfer from Auburn more than two weeks into fall camp leaves the Tigers with no senior wide receivers.
He was still relatively new to the position, having switched from quarterback during the spring, and it should come as little surprise that junior Ryan Davis is considered the leader of the group even before Frankin's departure but especially now.
Franklin was practicing primarily at flanker but also at one of the slot receiver spots.
At flanker, he was behind Eli Stove and Davis and facing competition from true freshman Noah Igbinoghene, who now becomes even more likely to play this season.
"I'm working at the 2 (flanker) the most, but (offensive coordinator Chip) Lindsey said he wants me to play all four (receiver positions) throughout the season," Franklin said earlier this month. "So knowing the offense as a quarterback that's going to help me because I know what everybody's doing already. Just getting the details and the technique things about it, that's what I'm really focusing on now."
At the "3" slot receiver spot, Franklin was competing with Will Hastings and Davis, but that was a role he did less of during the two weeks of fall camp compared to spring.
Franklin said going against press coverage was the toughest aspect of adjusting to playing receiver.
"Our defense is one of the best defenses in the conference, if not the best defense in the conference," he said. "Going against guys like Jamel Dean and (Carlton Davis), Javaris Davis, Jeremiah Dinson, you've got a whole lot of talent right there in just learning how to get off press.
"Certain things, getting in and out of routes I feel better on now. Just learning the fine details of the position and what can make you real open or still open, but covered."
Franklin also served as the backup holder and primary player in the "Batman" 2-point conversion formation. It's unclear who will take that role now.
On special teams, Franklin spent the spring at punt return but "didn't really feel comfortable" and moved to kickoff returns during fall camp.
"I felt like at punt return you have to be kinda crazy to be out there by yourself," Franklin said. "... I'm not comfortable being back there alone. I feel much comfortable on kick return than punt return."
Though he took reps as recently as Saturday's scrimmage, Franklin was not considered among Auburn's top four kickoff returners and his departure now leaves more reps for Igbinoghene, fellow true freshman Davan Barrett and Javaris Davis to try and work up the depth chart behind Kerryon Johnson and Kam Martin.