By Todd Bradley, www.dcsportsfan.com
Special to MaxPreps.com
Those that have stepped foot on the campus of Gonzaga College High School over the past few years have probably noticed A.J. Francis.
The 6-foot-5, 315-pound defensive lineman definitely has a presence about him, and he’s not afraid to speak his mind either. Francis, without a doubt, is a unique individual who has starred on and off the field for Gonzaga.
As a football player, Francis anchored the defensive line for the Eagles the past two years, which earned him a full athletic scholarship to the University of Maryland. But despite graduating from one of the area’s top high schools, starting both ways on the football field and receiving a scholarship to play Division I football, Francis describes his senior year as a “failure” and his junior season as “not enough.”
“Personally, I had great stats in both years, but we didn't make the playoffs either year,” Francis said. “This year was even worse because we had six kids go Division I out of the senior class alone, and we won four games. That's truthfully pathetic.”
Falling short of the playoffs was a learning experience for Francis, who thought pure talent would be more than enough to get Gonzaga into the playoffs. But the Eagles went 3-4 in league play, missing the playoffs for a second consecutive year.
“Last season instilled the hunger and drive for winning that I think I lost after I committed,” Francis said. “I felt before—that if we had talent at the end of the day—we would win, but now I know it takes a team of people that hate to lose in order to win.”
Francis started a new chapter in his life Tuesday when he began working out with Maryland’s football team. He committed to the College Park school in February of 2007, just three days after attending the U.S. Army National Combine in San Antonio, Texas.
Maryland was one of two schools that offered Francis after his performance at the combine.
“When I was there, I was the best defensive lineman in one-on-ones, and I even got interviewed on ESPN by Tom Lemming,” Francis said. “I got about 40 text messages from coaches that night, and the next day we ran 40s in the rain outside and I ran a slow time. The only coaches that contacted me again were coach Chris Cosh and coach Dave Solazzo from Maryland. I decided then I wanted to be a part of what they were trying to accomplish.”
Francis hopes to accomplish a number of things at the University of Maryland. Although there is a chance he gets redshirted this fall, he has high hopes for what the future holds.
“While I'm here I want our team to win an at least two ACC championships and at least one national championship,” Francis said. “Personally, I want to graduate in three years, I want to start by my third year and I want to be an All-ACC/All-American. I want to win the Defensive Lineman of the Year trophy. Just like Jay-Z said, ‘If your not trying to be the best, why bother?’ ”
Although playing in the NFL is his ultimate goal, Francis says that he’s been blessed with the chance to play football at a high level, which is more than most people get. He will receive a free education at Maryland, and he intends to major in broadcast journalism.
“If I don't make the NFL, then I want to either be a sports analyst or a talk radio host,” Francis said. “Later on in my career I do want to get into politics. I believe that I could make this world a better place.”
Francis definitely made Gonzaga a better place. Although he held a full athletic scholarship and could have lost interest in the school’s athletics once football season ended, Francis joined the booster club. He was a regular at Gonzaga basketball games, often dressing up in unique outfits as he led spirited cheers in front of sold out arenas.
The Eagles went 34-1 on the court, had their best season in school history, but were often overshadowed by the student cheering section.
“I've always been one that enjoyed the spotlight, so it became more of a monster,” Francis said. “I kept trying to top myself due to the fact that that was what people expected from me because of my personality. My favorite outfit was the one I wore to the pink out. I was wearing all pink and people were like ‘did you raid your mom’s closet’ and I'd say, ‘No, this is all mine.’ It was truly the most fun four months of my life.”
Francis has also spent time working as a musician. Last year he came out with his first rap album, “Back In L.O.V.E.” and Monday marked the official release date of his second album, “The Resurrection.”
“With the first album, I came out with the goal to prove I belonged in the rap game…while I was doing it,” Francis said. “I was going to quit rapping, but I got a lot of calls from independent labels, and when the label founded by my mentor, Red Dott, gave me an offer, I couldn't pass that up. I signed with them and "The Resurrection" was born.”
Francis says that his new album focuses on real issues. He discusses everything from the verdict in the Sean Bell murder case, Hurricane Katrina, and the general direction of hip hop.
“It truly is a masterpiece,” Francis said. “I've never felt better about something I've done in my life. It only took about three days to record because I did it all at one time, but it took me two months to come up with the concepts, write all the songs, and place them in the perfect order that told a story of how I was the savior of the rap game—in my mind that is. I really can only think of 10 rappers out that are worth anything, and they are Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil’ Wayne, Young Jeezy, Ludacris, T.I., Rick Ross, The Game, Andre 3,000 and Wale. I try to be like them as much as I can.”
It’s not likely that Francis will be touring the country promoting his new rap album, especially with a college football career looming, but he doesn’t count out anything just yet.
“Gonzaga has taught me that there's a lot that's wrong in this world, and if I don't do all I can to make it right, I'm no different than those that cause it,” Francis said. “Gonzaga taught me that brotherhood may be the strongest bond there is, so take advantage of that, and live your life to the fullest.”
Francis’s senior quote sums it up perfectly: “I'd rather die enormous than live dormant.”
College Park may never be the same.