Joshua Francis, a former LB for West Virginia, is looking forward to a career in the NFL. At 6’1” and 221 pounds, he may just be the type of linebacker scouts are looking for in 2012. He had a total of 57 tackles and 4.5 sacks for the season, improving upon his 2011 season in which he only got a total of nine tackles.
Pro Player Insiders interviewed Francis at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl where he said he is willing to work extremely hard to get himself into the NFL.
Q: Why do you think you are doing community service today? What does that have to do with an NFL career?
A: A lot of the time, guys go the extra mile to help less fortunate people and situations so that they can become a useful tool to these guys and I guess this is something that can help prep us for doing that at the next level.
Q: So Josh, you said you went to West Virginia. If you could take your favorite moment playing in your college career, what would it be?
A: We were playing Texas Christian Univerisity. I had about 2 sacks that game and the crowd was into the whole thing. We ended up losing, but we still fought real hard.
Q: So you’re preparing to make it into the league, how has the Collegiate Bowl helped you in that transition so far?
A: For scouts to see how you can use your feet, how well you practice and take things the coach has told you in the classroom, using them on the field.
Q: Has there been a coach at the NFL Collegiate Bowl that has stood out to you?
A: Herm Edwards. His confidence as a person, he’s not real big of a man, but he’s got so much confidence and he preaches and it effects us and how we practice, so that stood out the most.
Q: Josh, you said you were fast on your feet, you’re a line backer, what is your 40-yard dash look like?
A: I am training to run, I want to run a 4.3. I hope I get a 4.3.
Q: What else are you doing to prepare for the combine?
A: Once I leave here, if I get an invitation to the combine, I will go to Atlanta and train with Chip Smith and a bunch of my guys down there.
Q: This isn’t Miss America, but you have gotten to know a lot of the guys on the American team, who is Mr. Congenialety or which one of these guys has the most swag on the American team?
A: Cromartie, right there.
Q: Why?
A: He is just a ladies man guy, look at him.
Q: What is your favorite snack in the grocery store?
A: Oreos
Q: Do you eat the middle first?
A: Yes, I do.
Q: Who is your favorite player of all time?
A: Sean Taylor
Q: Who is your favorite artist?
A: Gavin DeGraw
Q: Can you sing a song of his?
A: Uhhh
Q: You have a twitter right, what is it?
A: It is @iamROADCLOSED, Josh Francis.
Q: If you had a hash tag to live by, what would it be?
A: #staytuned
Interview by Theresa Villano
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