Rookie prospect embraces switch to defence
The Saskatchewan Roughriders aren’t limiting themselves to a player’s accustomed position when it comes to stocking their roster.
The Riders selected Kevin Francis in the CFL’s supplemental draft on May 24 knowing that he played tight end and on special teams with North Carolina A&T.
Chris Jones, the Riders’ head coach and general manager, was already considering switching the 6-foot-5 receiver to defence before selecting Francis in the draft for prospects who weren’t declared nationals in time for the main draft on May 10.
“(Jones) asked me if I have ever thought about playing defence,’’ Francis said after Tuesday’s session of the Riders’ training camp. “I told him that I was (OK) with whatever he wanted me to play. I got here and he kind of threw me into the fire and I liked that.’’
Francis was deemed a national because he was born in Toronto. His parents moved to Brooklyn, N.Y., when he was two years old. After being bypassed in the NFL draft, Francis was informed of his opportunity in the CFL by his agent. The Riders then forfeited a third-round pick in the 2017 CFL draft to select Francis in the supplemental draft.
Playing defence isn’t new to Francis because he was also a safety and outside linebacker in high school, the same positions he’s playing with the Riders. At the collegiate level, he focused on playing receiver and special teams and dressed for 34 games, in which he recorded 17 receptions for 163 yards. A knee injury in 2015, his senior season, limited him to two games.
Francis was also a two-sport athlete at North Carolina A&T. He ran the 110-metre hurdles and also competed in the decathlon. His athleticism was among the reasons the Riders considered asking him to switch positions.
“He is a good player,’’ Jones said. “If you watch the special-teams film, he flies around and he makes plays. We have certain spots dictated for guys of his ability. He does a really good job in coverage. He’s a good tackler and he is a willing guy to run to the football as well. I think it’s a tailor-made position for him.’’
Francis doesn’t have a preference of offence or defence. He just wants a job.
“The adjustment hasn’t been that bad,’’ Francis said. “I played the same positions in high school, so it has been pretty good.”
Riders linebackers coach Phillip Lolley has been impressed with how Francis has handled the position change.
“I know he’s guy who will do whatever you ask him to do,’’ Lolley said. “You look at his athletic ability and his height that goes with it ... he is a guy who can run and help our team. We’re moving him around to see what he can do athletically and linebacker is one of those positions.’’
NOTES: The Riders released national linebacker Nehemie Kankolongo on Tuesday ... Fullback Spencer Moore was activated from the suspended list on Tuesday after missing the first two days of training camp while attending his sister’s wedding … Absent from Tuesday’s practice with undisclosed injuries were defensive ends Justin Capicciotti and Jonathan Newsome, receiver John Chiles and linebacker Jeff Knox Jr. Jones said they were all “nicked up and hopefully we’ll have them back in a day or two.’’ ... Wednesday’s training-camp session is slated to run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Griffiths Stadium.