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NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Akim Francis, OLB, Baker University

 

Baker University linebacker Akim Francis is a one man wrecking crew
Baker University linebacker Akim Francis is a one man wrecking crew

NFL Draft Diamonds has been bringing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 3 years and this year we mixed up the questions and added some fun questions for our readers. Our questions are designed to give our readers a little more insight on the player. We hope to bring you more than 350 interviews of NFL Draft Prospects this season. You will be able to track them all on the front page of our website in the banner to the right.  Now let’s meet the prospect!!!!

What is your name? 

Akim Francis

What is your Height/Weight? 

6’2 235

What is your position? 

OLB/ILB

Where do you play college football? 

Baker University

Football is about giving back, what is the coolest thing you have done off the field? 

Give a Talk to younger kids in little league football on techniques how to play the game & most importantly telling them that school is most important & listen to your parents & stay away from the wrong kind of people. Also the coolest thing I have done off the field was visit give kids the world in Kissimmee FL just to give kids they’re last wishes and see then smile.

What was the hardest college class you ever had to take?

College algebra 

Where are you from? 

Born in St. Thomas Virgin Islands & Raised in Kissimmee Florida

Who is your role model, and why?

My role model is my older brother Quamid Francis because he was always an achiever throughout his whole life and set goals for himself & achieved them and still is to this day.

Did you play any other sports growing up? 

Baseball was my first sport I wasn’t introduced to football till about 12-13years old

Did you play any other positions in football?

I played QB,RB,WR,SS,

At your position, what separates you from others?  

Many different aspects about my position separates me from others. As a middle and outside backer, it’s essential for me to know the responsibilities of all of my other teammates on every play. I must be able to be physical enough to dominate in the run game, yet cover a lot of ground in zone and man coverages. As a linebacker, I command the defense and have to be able move myself and others when the offense moves pre-snap. Since I do have distinct responsibilities depending on the type of play, the ability to quickly read the play is vital for success. Particular to the defense I play in and in addition to reading the offense, I must quickly react to how the defensive linemen in front of me to maintain the balance of the defense. As a leader, keeping a level head during the game is important because of my many responsibilities that affect my teammates. Staying focused on the game is important for my own, but also the success of the entire defense.

When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?

I look for tendencies in  formation alignment, offensive linemen stances.  I look at where certain players align for certain plays.  I put myself in the different coverages and calls that our defense will be running and visualize the play. 

Who was the toughest player you ever faced? 

Tight End Butler Community College 2013

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why? 

KJ Wright for the Seahawks.  I believe this because he is physical and he has good play recognition.  He is a play maker.

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you  overcome it? 

Parent Divorce, Love from my Parents

Do you have any pre-game rituals? 

I listen to Kodak Black, his music gets me ready.

akimmmWhat is your biggest strength? 

Awareness and Instincts.

What is your biggest weakness? 

Spanish Women

If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say? 

I love the game and I want to see it at the highest level.

Who was your favorite player and/or NFL team growing up? 

Ray Lewis Baltimore Ravens

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose? 

Jesus Christ, Ray Lewis, Muhammad Ali

What will be the first big item you buy once you are in the NFL?

House

Rapid Answers

  • Who is Better: Tom Brady or Peyton Manning? Tom Brady
  • Who will win the Super Bowl this year? Patriots
  • Who is Better : Barry Sanders or Emmitt Smith? Different Players
  • Who will win MVP in NFL? Marcus Golden or Von Miller
  • Who is Better: Deion Sanders or Richard Sherman? Deion Sanders

 

Damond Talbot

NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com

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