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— Orlando Guardians (@UFLGuardians) November 16, 2022

FRANCOIS’ REVENGE

The story of Deondre Francois is one of overcoming twists, turns, and tribulations. As the most electrifying quarterback in the history of the Olympia HS football program, Francois went from youth football phenomenon (playing for the Orlando Outlaws) to a local legend. Before transferring to IMG Academy for his senior year, Francois passed for 3,162 yards and 28 touchdowns.

FSU GOLDEN BOY

Upon his arrival to FSU in 2014, Francois was quickly prepared for his future as the starting signal caller for the defending national champion Seminoles. As a freshman in 2016, he led Florida State to a 10-3 season and an Orange Bowl win over Michigan. Unfortunately, a messy exit by the head coach that recruited him, followed by a questionable hire by a new coach, resulted in a shaky start to Deondre’s career. In all, Francois appeared in 25 games for FSU, earning ACC Rookie of the Year honors in 2016 after passing for 3,350 yards and 20 touchdowns. In 2017, Francois suffered a torn patellar tendon in the season opener against Alabama and missed the rest of the season.

THE FALLOUT

By his senior year in 2019, a healed Deondre had the resume to declare for the NFL draft, but choose to return for the opportunity to lead his team, and complete for the starting role. Sadly, an tragic domestic incident would end his time at Tallahassee, and cloud his legacy at Florida State. Undaunted, the young man who had lived in almost every part of the state before his 25th birthday, relocated once again – this time to Boca Raton, as a graduate walk-on for Florida Atlantic. This would be a short stay for Deondre, as opportunity presented itself as one of the South’s most prestigious HBCU institutions.

A REBIRTH IN VA

After more than two seasons at PWIs, Deondre Francois arrived at Hampton University in August 2019. When his brief year of eligibility at HU were complete, Francois continued to train diligently throughout the pandemic, hopeful that a chance to realize his dream of professional football would present itself.

And finally on Nov. 15th, Orlando’s new XFL team has drafted Orlando’s Deondre Francois as the team’s first ever franchise quarterback.

JACQUES PATRICK HEADS TO TEXAS

In other XFL news, another Orlando area star athlete, Jacques Patrick was drafted to join Head Coach Hines Ward and the San Antonio Brahmas.

Following a stellar high school career, Patrick joined Francois at Florida State University, where he shared ball-carrying duties with Dalvin Cook (2015-16), and Cam Akers (2017). Ironically, Patrick’s professional football career began in with the 2020 edition of the XFL Draft, when he was selected by the Tampa Bay Vipers.

When the old XFL suspended operations in April of that year, Patrick made to the NFL for practice squad stints with Cincinnati, San Francisco, Carolina, and Baltimore.