On The Trail

          UA jersey tour: Deondre Francois

          BRADENTON, Fla. — ESPN 300 quarterback Deondre Francois was presented with his Under Armour All-America Game jersey Friday afternoon morning in a ceremony sponsored by American Family Insurance. The ceremony took place in front of friends, coaches, teammates and media members at the IMG Academy field house in Bradenton, Florida.

          The fourth-ranked dual-threat quarterback and the No. 54 player overall in the ESPN 300 said he felt honored to be selected to one of the top all-star games in the country.

          “It means a lot to me,” Francois said. “It’s like a dream come true. I’ve been waiting on this for a long time. I’ve worked hard for this since my freshman year."

          Francois has been committed to Florida State since July. The four-star quarterback has never wavered in his promise to the Seminoles and, to his surprise, schools have backed off recruiting him since he committed to the Seminoles.

          “Since I committed, no teams have been coming after me — at all. Which kind of surprised me, because a lot of teams were coming after me. But that’s making it easier on me and on Florida State since no other teams are still coming after me.”

          Francois transferred from Olympia High School in Orlando and is coached at IMG by former Florida State quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke. Francois said his experience with Weinke has helped him grow on and off the field.

          "With coach Weinke, he’s been a great help,” Francois said. “I’m so glad I came here. I don’t regret coming here at all. He helps me with throwing the ball, running the ball and especially being a leader because of where he came from. He knows the game inside and out, and in this pro-style offense, it helps me so much and prepares me for the next level.”

          Six questions with Deondre Francois

          Who was the best player you ever saw play in the Under Armour game?

          Francois: Marvin Bracy recently. I remember A.J. Green, Jameis Winston and Sean White from last year. He did a great job.

          If you could start a team with any other player in your class, who would it be?

          Francois: Probably Jacques Patrick. We’ve known each other for a long time. We’ve played together for a long time; since little league. We both committed to Florida State and we are really good friends.

          What's your earliest football memory?

          Francois: I remember when I was on peewees back in Orlando, and we scrimmaged the older junior team. I was about 8 years old and the other kids were about 13. I ran the ball on the bootleg around and the other guy hit me so hard and I got injured and pulled my groin. I was hurt; I was out. I’ll never forget that.

          If you could take on a professional athlete in their sport, who would it be and why?

          Francois: Probably Russell Wilson. I look up to him the most. I want to model my game after him, on the field and off of it.

          What’s something about yourself that not many people know about?

          Francois: I’m just really outgoing. I’m quiet around people I don’t normally talk to, but when I’m around my friends, I just like to dance and just to have fun.

          What do you want to improve on the most before you get to college?

          Francois: On the field, I just want to work on my feet. Get in the playbook more and watch more film. I just want to get better at everything. I’m never too good to stop working on it. I want to get better at throwing the ball, running the ball and making decisions.