Four-star quarterback recruit Deondre Francois felt at home over the weekend at the IMG 7v7 NFA National Championship playing at his new high school's stadium. But Francois was participating with his old teammates from Orlando. Unfortunately for Francois, he didn't have his full complement of receivers with which to work, and his squad did not make a deep run.
After the event, I spoke with the Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy QB, a recent transfer from Olympia High in Orlando. He's been working with coach Chris Weinke, formerly of the Carolina Panthers.
"They're developing me," Francois said. "With the NFL-style program we have, and Coach Weinke winning the Heisman, he's teaching me a lot."
Francois recently narrowed his list to three schools: Auburn, Florida State and Oregon. He claims none of them has the upper hand. He plans to decide in late July.
Francois has already been to Auburn and Florida State, and has yet to see the Ducks. He'll make visits to all three before making his decision. The visits to Florida State and Auburn will occur in July but the dates are not set as of yet. The visit to Oregon will occur after his time at Nike's The Opening, a premier showcase event held in Portland in early July.
The offensive system run by the school Francois will ultimately choose is important to him. Yet, he says that he does not have a preference between the spread-option attacks run by the Tigers and Ducks, and the pro-style system run by the Seminoles.
"I can fit in all of them," Francois said. "I'm a passer first, but I am also a dual-threat. And you can get to the NFL from any type of offense."
Francois also said that he is not bothered by the possibility that all three of his finalists end up signing multiple quarterbacks, as seems a likelihood with FSU and Auburn already holding commitments, and Oregon recruiting multiple players at the position.