Justin Francis
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Career Summary
Justin Francis was a Rutgers defensive lineman who signed with New England as an undrafted free agent in 2012.
Francis earned midseason All-America recognition during his senior Rutgers season before entering the NFL.
He appeared in 10 regular-season games for New England and recorded three sacks.
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Sources for this section
- scarletknights.com — Three Scarlet Knights Garner Midseason All-America Honors - Rutgers University Athletics
- scarletknights.com — Five Scarlet Knights Sign as NFL Free Agents - Rutgers University Athletics
- www.pro-football-reference.com — Justin Francis Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com
Early Life
Francis was born in 1989 and was from Opa-Locka, Florida.
Pro-Football-Reference lists Francis’ birth date as February 8, 1989, and his birthplace as Opa-Locka.
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High School
Francis played multiple roles in high school football before arriving at Rutgers.
Rutgers’ 2007 recruiting announcement described Francis as a Miramar High School prospect who had played tight end, defensive end, and linebacker.
The school said he was a two-year starter, ranked No. 13 among Broward County recruits by the Miami Herald, and selected for the Broward-Dade All-Star Game.
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College Career
Francis developed into a senior defensive tackle for Rutgers.
Rutgers identified Francis as a senior defensive tackle in 2011 and said he played the best football of his college career that season.
Against Pittsburgh, he set a career high with eight tackles while recording four tackles for loss and two sacks.
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Path to the NFL
Francis entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2012.
Rutgers announced that Francis was among five Scarlet Knights who signed NFL free-agent contracts after the 2011 season.
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Sources for this section
NFL Career
Francis played 10 regular-season games for New England in 2012.
Pro-Football-Reference records three sacks, 10 total tackles, four tackles for loss, and seven quarterback hits during his NFL season.
It identifies his NFL position as defensive end.
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Career Accomplishments
Francis earned Phil Steele midseason All-America honorable mention and played in the East-West Shrine Game.
Rutgers announced Francis as a Phil Steele midseason All-America honorable mention in 2011.
The school later included him among four Rutgers players selected for postseason all-star games, assigning Francis to the East-West Shrine Game.
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Playing Style
Francis’ documented football roles moved from high-school tight end, end, and linebacker assignments to collegiate and NFL defensive-line work.
At Rutgers, his senior highlights included tackles for loss and sacks; in the NFL, Pro-Football-Reference lists him at defensive end.
He was listed at 6-foot-2 and 270 pounds during his NFL career.
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Sources for this section
- scarletknights.com — Three Scarlet Knights Garner Midseason All-America Honors - Rutgers University Athletics
- www.pro-football-reference.com — Justin Francis Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com
- scarletknights.com — Rutgers Announces 2007 Football Recruiting Class - Rutgers University Athletics
Legacy
Francis’ record traces a versatile Florida prospect who became a Rutgers all-star-game participant and productive NFL reserve defender.
His Rutgers senior-season recognition preceded a 2012 NFL campaign in which he recorded three sacks in 10 games.
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23582, 00-0029241, 1989-02-08, Justin Francis, Justin, Francis
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