Kevin Francis (Canadian football)

Last updated

Kevin Francis
2022, 02, Kevin Francis.jpg
Francis with the BC Lions in 2022
Born: (1993-06-05) June 5, 1993 (age 31)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Career information
CFL status National
Position(s) Linebacker
Height6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Weight239 lb (108 kg)
College North Carolina A&T
High school James Madison (Brooklyn, NY)
CFL draft 2016, Round: Supplemental
Drafted by Saskatchewan Roughriders
Career history
As player
2016–2018 Saskatchewan Roughriders
2019 Ottawa Redblacks
2020 BC Lions*
2021 Saskatchewan Roughriders
2022 BC Lions
2023 Edmonton Elks*
2023 Ottawa Redblacks
*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career stats

Kevin Francis (born June 5, 1993) is a Canadian professional football linebacker who is a free agent. He played as a tight end during his college football career with the North Carolina A&T Aggies. [1] Francis has been a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Ottawa Redblacks, BC Lions, and Edmonton Elks.

Contents

Professional career

Saskatchewan Roughriders (first stint)

After going undrafted in the 2016 NFL draft, Francis declared eligible for the 2016 CFL Supplemental Draft after informing the league that he was born in Toronto, Ontario. [2] He was drafted by the Roughriders on May 25, 2016, who forfeited a third round selection in the 2017 CFL Draft to acquire his rights. Upon entering 2016 training camp, Francis switched to the defensive side of the ball after previously playing on offence in college. He made his CFL debut on June 30, 2016, against the Toronto Argonauts, registering his first defensive tackle. He made his first career start at linebacker on October 22, 2016, against the Montreal Alouettes. [1] Francis finished his rookie season having played in all 18 regular season games where he recorded 12 defensive tackles, 13 special teams tackles, and one forced fumble.

In 2017, Francis played in 15 regular season games where he had three defensive tackles, 10 special teams tackles, and one forced fumble. He suffered a shoulder injury in October and was on the injured list for the last three regular season games and both post-season games. [3] [4] To begin the 2018 season, he was placed on the injured list as he rehabbed his injury from 2017. [3] He then played in the remaining 12 games of the regular season where he had six special teams tackles. He also made his post-season debut where he played in the West Final loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He became a free agent in 2019.

Ottawa Redblacks (first stint)

On February 14, 2019, Francis signed with the Ottawa Redblacks to a one-year contract. [5] He played in just seven regular season games, but recorded eight special teams tackles.

BC Lions (first stint)

Francis again entered free agency and signed a one-year deal with the BC Lions on February 11, 2020. [6] However, the 2020 CFL season was cancelled and Francis never played for the Lions.

Saskatchewan Roughriders (second stint)

On February 12, 2021, it was announced that Francis had re-signed with the Roughriders. [7]

BC Lions (second stint)

Francis signed again with the Lions on February 9, 2022. [8] Francis played in all 18 regular season games for the Lions in 2022, contributing mostly on special teams where he had 22 tackles (the most in the league). [9]

Edmonton Elks

Francis joined the Edmonton Elks as a free agent on February 14, 2023. [10] The contract was reportedly a one-year contract worth $122,000 in hard money and included a $25,000 signing bonus. On March 15, 2023, Francis took to social media to voice his displeasure with the terms of the contract, and requested to be traded or released from the Edmonton Elks just one month after signing with the team. [11] Head coach Chris Jones stated in an interview that he was hopeful the situation could be resolved and Francis would be a valuable member of the team in the coming season. [12] On May 14, 2023, Francis was placed on the team's suspended list after failing to report to training camp. [13]

Ottawa Redblacks (second stint)

On July 4, 2023, Francis was traded to the Ottawa Redblacks in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2024 CFL Draft. [14] He became a free agent after the 2023 season. [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trevor Harris</span> American gridiron football player (born 1986)

Trevor Harris is an American professional Canadian football quarterback for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2010. Harris has also played in the Arena Football League (AFL) and United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Edinboro University. As Edinboro's starting quarterback, he broke "every career passing record in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference" and was a two-time finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, awarded each year to the individual selected as the most valuable player in NCAA Division II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Ellingson</span> American gridiron football player (born 1988)

Greg Ellingson is an American professional Canadian football wide receiver who is a free agent. He most recently played for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Florida International. He has also been a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans VooDoo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Storm, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Ottawa Redblacks, Edmonton Elks, and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loucheiz Purifoy</span> American gridiron football player (born 1992)

Loucheiz Purifoy is an American professional football defensive back for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Purifoy played college football for the University of Florida. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent after the 2014 NFL draft, and has also been a member of the Seattle Seahawks, BC Lions, Ottawa Redblacks, and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Newsome</span> American gridiron football player (born 1991)

Jonathan Newsome is an American football defensive end who is a free agent. He played college football at Ohio State and Ball State, and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He has also been a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Ottawa Redblacks and BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL), and the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League (USFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shawn Lemon</span> American gridiron football player (born 1988)

Shawn Lemon is an American professional football defensive lineman for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Akron. He has been a member of eight CFL teams, three indoor football teams and two NFL teams.

Ese Mrabure-Ajufo is a Canadian football defensive lineman who is currently a member of the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played CIS football for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A.C. Leonard</span> American gridiron football player (born 1992)

AC Leonard is an American professional gridiron football defensive lineman who is a free agent. He most recently played for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played tight end for the BC Lions in 2015 before converting to a defensive lineman in 2016. He attended Tennessee State University, where he played college football for the Tigers and studied criminal justice. Leonard has been member of NFL, AFL, FXFL and CFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Micah Awe</span> American gridiron football player (born 1994)

Micah Awe is a Nigerian professional Canadian football linebacker for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Texas Tech. Awe has also been a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, BC Lions, New York Jets, Toronto Argonauts, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Ottawa Redblacks, BC Lions, and Montreal Alouettes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avery Williams (linebacker)</span> American football player (born 1994)

Avery A. Williams Sr. is an American professional gridiron football middle linebacker who is a free agent. He most recently played for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent after the 2017 NFL Draft. He played college football at Temple University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Llevi Noel</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1991)

Llevi Noel is a former professional Canadian football wide receiver. He is a Grey Cup champion after winning the 105th Grey Cup with the Toronto Argonauts in 2017. Noel was a member of four different teams in the Canadian Football League (CFL), the Toronto Argonauts, Ottawa Redblacks, Edmonton Elks and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keishawn Bierria</span> American gridiron football player (born 1995)

Keishawn Bierria is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Washington. Bierria was selected by the Denver Broncos in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL draft. He has also been a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL); the Edmonton Elks, the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL); and the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL.

The 2021 CFL season was the 67th season of modern-day Canadian football. Officially, it was the 63rd season of the Canadian Football League. The regular season began on August 5 and ended November 20. Each team played 14 regular season games over 16 weeks. Previously, the season was scheduled to begin on June 10 and end on October 30, with 18 games being played per team over 21 weeks, but this was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Hamilton hosted the 108th Grey Cup on December 12, 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Arbuckle</span> American gridiron football player (born 1993)

Nicholas Arbuckle is an American professional football quarterback for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He has also been a member of the Calgary Stampeders, Ottawa Redblacks, and Edmonton Elks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Moore (Canadian football)</span> American gridiron football player (born 1993)

Mike Moore is a Canadian football defensive end who is a free agent. He most recently played for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played six seasons for the Canadian Football League (CFL) debuting in 2016 for the Ottawa Redblacks and then spending the next four seasons with the Edmonton Eskimos. His last professional season was with the Montreal Alouettes. Moore was briefly a member of the Calgary Stampeders. He played college football at Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Brown (linebacker)</span> American gridiron football player (born 1993)

Kevin Brown II is an American former professional football linebacker. He played college football at Cincinnati. He was a member of the Ottawa Redblacks, Edmonton Elks and Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Jordan Beaulieu is a professional Canadian football defensive back who is currently a free agent. He played U Sports football at Western University. Beaulieu has also been a member of the Edmonton Elks and the Ottawa Redblacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Calver</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1993)

Brandon Calver is a Canadian professional football fullback for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Harelimana</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1995)

Brian Harelimana is a Rwandan-Canadian professional football linebacker for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played U Sports football for the Montreal Carabins and was a fourth round draft pick by the Montreal Alouettes in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Hladik</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1999)

Ben Hladik is a Canadian professional football linebacker for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Auclair</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1996)

Adam Auclair is a Canadian professional football linebacker for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

References

  1. 1 2 "Kevin Francis embraces all roles in rookie season with Saskatchewan Roughriders". Regina Leader-Post. October 24, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Riders add Kevin Francis in CFL Supplemental Draft". Canadian Football League. May 25, 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Notebook: Kevin Francis retu". Canadian Football League . Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Transactions – Football player trades and signings". Canadian Football League . Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Redblacks sign Kevin Francis". Ottawa Redblacks. February 14, 2019.
  6. ↑ "Lions add free agent linebacker Kevin Francis". BC Lions. February 11, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Riders sign Canadian LB Kevin Francis". Canadian Football League. February 12, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Lions sign national LB Kevin Francis". Canadian Football League. February 9, 2022.
  9. ↑ "CFLPA on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Elks ink linebacker Kevin Francis". goelks.com. February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  11. ↑ 3Down Staff (March 16, 2023). "Canadian LB Kevin Francis says he's requested a release or trade from Edmonton Elks". 3DownNation. Retrieved March 27, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ↑ Abbott, J. C. (March 25, 2023). "Chris Jones expects LB Kevin Francis to be with Elks in 2023 despite request for trade or release". 3DownNation. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  13. ↑ 3Down Staff (May 14, 2023). "Edmonton Elks place Canadian LB Kevin Francis on suspended list". 3DownNation. Retrieved May 16, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. ↑ 3Down Staff (July 4, 2023). "Edmonton Elks trade disgruntled LB Kevin Francis to Ottawa Redblacks". 3DownNation. Retrieved July 4, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. ↑ "Ottawa Redblacks 2024 Pending Free Agents". si.com. November 25, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.