Ikaika Alama-Francis

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Ikaika Alama-Francis
refer to caption
Alama-Francis in the 2012 preseason
No. 91, 97, 59, 47
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1984-12-04) December 4, 1984 (age 36)
Kāne'ohe, Hawai'i
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:290 lb (132 kg)
Career information
High school:Kailua (HI) Kalaheo
College:Hawaii
NFL Draft:2007 / Round: 2 / Pick: 58
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • Second-team All-WAC (2005)
  • First-team All-WAC (2006)
Career NFL statistics as of 2012
Tackles:47
Sacks:1.0
Forced fumbles:0
Player stats at NFL.com

Brent Ikaika Alama-Francis[1] (born December 4, 1984) is a former American football defensive end. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Hawaii.

Early years[]

Alama-Francis was born to former Green Bay Packers back-up quarterback and former high school football coach Joseph "Joe" Francis[2] and Rolenda "Ku'ulei" Alama-Francis. He has three older half brothers from Joe Francis's first wife and two older brothers from Joe's second wife, Kuulei.[citation needed] His much older brother is Jon Francis, who played running back for the Los Angeles Rams.[3] Another child, Makana, joined the family after Ikaika went to college.[4][5] While playing basketball and volleyball for Kalaheo High School, he made the All State High School basketball and volleyball teams his junior and senior years.[1]

College career[]

Even though he was recruited to play basketball for New Mexico and Portland State, Alama-Francis started his career at Hawaii after graduating from high school in 2002 as a walk on to the Warrior basketball team.[6] He played forward mostly at the end of games that were already decided.[7]

Alama-Francis decided to try out for the football team during spring training after his first and only season with Warrior Basketball. The elder Francis was a bit skeptical due to Alama-Francis relatively small size and lack of experience with football physicality as a basketball player. Even though Warrior coach June Jones offered Alama-Francis a scholarship coming out of high school with no high school playing experience, Alama-Francis and his father, Joe Francis, refused the offer because they did not feel that Alama-Francis was ready. The elder Francis told the coach that his son needed to earn the scholarship.[8][9]

Alama-Francis gained 70 pounds over the years to build his 190-pound frame to 260 pounds. He also worked on building his strength and football defensive end knowledge to become a starter his junior and senior years. At the beginning of Alama-Francis' senior year, he was chosen by Coach Jones to represent the University of Hawaii at media day for the Western Athletic Conference at the start of the 2006 season.[7] In his 26 starts at Hawaii he had a total of 112 tackles (62 solos) with 10 sacks.[10]

Professional career[]

Detroit Lions[]

During the 2007 mini-camp, Alama-Francis could not participate in team organized activities due to a pectoral muscle tear suffered during the Hula Bowl.[11] Instead he worked with head Coach Rod Marinelli and the defensive coaching staff on developing his skills. Alama-Francis impressed the coaches and teammates with his work ethic and positive demeanor.[12]

Alama-Francis remained inactive for 10 of the first 12 games of the season. In the 4 games he played in, he recorded 12 tackles.

For the 2008 season, Alama-Francis switched his uniform number from 91 to 97, after the departure of Boss Bailey who had previously worn 97.

Alama-Francis was released from the team on September 6, 2009.[13]

Miami Dolphins[]

Alama-Francis was signed by the Miami Dolphins on November 24, 2009 [14] for a salary of $460,000 [15] The Dolphins tried changing his position from defensive end to outside linebacker. He competed with teammate Koa Misi for a starting position.[16]

San Francisco 49ers[]

Alama-Francis was signed by the San Francisco 49ers on August 15, 2012 to a one-year deal.[17]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "Twelve join high school Hall of Honor". The Honolulu Advertiser. 20 May 2002. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  2. ^ Honolulu Star-Bulletin
  3. ^ A Bigger, Stronger Alama-Francis | Curran Events | Midweek.com Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "Midweek.com - Print Alama-Francis: Bigger, Stronger". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  5. ^ starbulletin.com | Sports | /2006/07/23/
  6. ^ University of Hawai'i - Office of Intercollegiate Athletics
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b starbulletin.com | Sports | /2006/07/23/
  8. ^ Honolulu Star-Bulletin Sports
  9. ^ Ikaika Alama-Francis Drafted on YouTube
  10. ^ NFL Events: Draft Player Profiles
  11. ^ starbulletin.com | Sports | /2007/01/15/
  12. ^ Detroit Lions Site: Alama-Francis Takes an Upbeat Approach to Life, but Knows when it's Time to Work
  13. ^ mlive.com: Lions claim DE Copeland Bryan, CB Kevin Hobbs
  14. ^ Orlando Sentinel: Miami Dolphins waive Matt Roth
  15. ^ Dolphins salary cap figures for entire roster
  16. ^ Volin, Ben (August 1, 2010). "Miami Dolphins give Ikaika Alama-Francis serious consideration at outside linebacker". Palm Beach Post. Palm Beach, Florida. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
  17. ^ 49ers Sign LB Alama-Francis

External links[]

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