Robert Francois

Fellow senior linebacker Brian Toal developed into a bit of a campus icon with his instinctive, physical play at linebacker and fullback throughout his career, but it is Francois, who began the 2008 season as Toal's backup, who scouts will be considering with the higher draft selection come April. He started only seven games prior to his senior campaign, but many close to the BC program were characterizing Francois as a potential breakout candidate. With Toal going down to injury, Francois indeed did break out, matching his previous career total with seven starts in 2008 and producing career highs in tackles (82), tackles for loss (nine) and sacks (two). An impressive week of practice at the East-West Shrine Game could have cemented his status as a second-day prospect.

Positives: Legitimate NFL frame, stout build with good overall musculature. … Physical, no-nonsense linebacker that takes on discards blocks well. … Can slip blocks with good hand strength and lateral quickness. … Squares up and delivers a blow to the ballcarrier. … Good effort in pursuit. … Surprisingly agile for a player his size. … Gives good pop to tight ends and can ride in coverage. … Gets good depth on his drops and is alert in coverage. … A standout special teamer recognized by the BC staff as the special teams player of the year. … Might be an ascending player …

Negatives: Leaves with only 14 career starts. … Pressed into duty in 2006 and '08 only by an injury to teammate Brian Toal. … Rarely asked to blitz in this scheme and has only marginal agility to evade blocks. … Marginal hand technique as a pass rusher. … Relies on his initial pop and a bull rush to get to the quarterback. … Lacks the lateral agility to keep up with running backs and athletic tight ends. … Performance might have been inflated due to the surrounding talent at defensive tackle and linebacker.

Senior LB Robert Francois was forced into a starting role after classmate Brian Toal lost his season due to a broken leg he suffered against Virginia Tech on October 18. The Highlands, TX native is third on the team with 72 tackles and has eight tackles for a loss. Francois was named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week on November 30 for his performance against Maryland. He had a team-high 10 tackles (nine solo),including three for losses, and added an interception which he returned 36 yards for a touchdown as BC beat the Terps, 28-21, to clinch the ACC Atlantic Division for the second straight season.

Finished the season with 39 total tackles (26 solos), 2.0 TFL, and a half sack … registered 3 solos in BC's win over Michigan State in the Champs Sports Bowl … had a five-tackle performance (three solo), including an assist on a tackle-for-loss against Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship … put together a five-tackle performance, including his first TFL of the season, and three solo tackles in the last home game that held Miami to 281 yards, giving BC the 28-14 victory … contributed a solo tackle in the defensive effort that helped stage another fourth quarter come-from-behind victory at Clemson, keeping the Tigers to 273 total offensive yards and writing the ticket for a trip to BC's first ACC Championship … tallied his second-highest tackle outing on the season, a three solo, one assisted tackle performance at Maryland … also contributed to the first sack of his career resulting in a loss of three yards … marked two assisted tackles in loss against Florida State … achieved his 100th and 101st career tackles (two solo) in defensive effort that was able to keep Virginia Tech close enough to stage a monumental come-from-behind win in the fourth quarter … assisted on three tackles (a season high) in 53 team tackle outing at Notre Dame … had best performance of season, tying the team-high with six total tackles (five solo) in solid defensive performance versus Bowling Green … combined for 2.5 total tackles (two solo) in outing against Massachusetts … made a solo tackle in win over Army … assisted on a tackle in win over Georgia Tech … recorded 3.5 tackles (three solo) in first performance of the season vs. N.C. State … missed season opener against Wake Forest due to injury but played the final 13 games of the season.

Played in all 13 games, starting seven contests … had 52 tackles, including 29 solo stops … made 3.5 tackles for loss, and recovered three fumbles during the season … had six tackles (four solo), one fumble recovery and one pass break-up in win over Clemson … had a career high 14 tackles (nine solo), including 1.5 tackles for loss against BYU … had one stop at North Carolina State … made four tackles (four solo) and recovered a fumble against Maine … had three tackles against Virginia Tech … made five tackles in win at Florida State … had one stop against Buffalo … made two solo tackles at Wake Forest … had six stops (five solo) including 1.0 tackle for loss against Duke … had one tackle against Maryland … made three tackles (two solo), including 1.0 tackle for loss at Miami … had four stops (two solo) against Navy in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.

Played in all 12 games as a redshirt freshman … registered 28 tackles (16 solos), 2.0 tackles for loss and one fumble recovery; made at least one tackle in every game … saw his first collegiate action at Brigham Young and made his first stop late in the first quarter; finished the contest with one unassisted tackle and one assisted stop … registered two solo tackles and one fumble recovery against Army … had three assisted tackles against Florida State … registered four tackles (three solos) and one tackle for loss against Ball State … had three tackles (two solos) against Virginia … notched one solo tackle and one assist at Virginia Tech … had two assisted stops at North Carolina … tallied four tackles (three solos), including one tackle for loss, against North Carolina State … recorded three tackles (two unassisted) at Maryland … made one solo tackle against Boise State in the MPC Computers Bowl.

Redshirted.

Earned All-Northeast accolades from Tom Lemming … Gained All-New England honors as a senior tight end/safety at Governor Dummer Academy … Was a two-time All-Independent League first-team selection … gained Team MVP honors in 2003 … Served as 2003 team captain for head coach Mark Gerry … Played in the 2004 Massachusetts Shriners Football Classic … Also excelled on the Governors' basketball and track teams; won the New England Class C 100-meter title in 2003 … Attended Ross Sterling High School in Baytown, Texas before moving on to GDA.

Robert Francois, born May 14, 1985 … Enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences … Robert is the son of Susanne Gens and Griffin Francois; has one older brother and one older sister.