Jacobi Francis
{{Short description|American football player (born 1998)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Jacobi Francis
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| current_team =
| number =
| position = Safety
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|9|6}}
| birth_place = Covington, Georgia, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 11
| weight_lbs = 193
| high_school = Newton (GA)
| college = Memphis
| undraftedyear = 2022
| pastteams =
- Houston Texans ({{NFL Year|2022|2023}})
- Minnesota Vikings ({{NFL Year|2024}})*
| status =
| highlights =
| statseason =
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Tackles
| statvalue1 = 1
| pfr = FranJa03
}}
Jacobi Francis (born September 6, 1998) is an American professional football safety. He played college football at Memphis and was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in {{NFL Year|2022}}.
Early life and college
Francis was born on September 6, 1998, in Covington, Georgia. He played football for two years at Newton High School and recorded 50 tackles, earning honorable mention all-county honors.{{Cite web|url=https://gotigersgo.com/sports/football/roster/jacobi-francis/9595|publisher=Memphis Tigers|title=Jacobi Francis}} He committed to play college football at the University of Memphis, and redshirted as a true freshman in 2016. In 2017, Francis appeared in 12 of 13 games and recorded six tackles.
As a redshirt-sophomore in 2018, Francis appeared in all 14 matches and posted 24 tackles, an interception, and a fumble forced and recovered. He had five multi-tackle performances that season and was the only player on the team to have an interception, fumble recovery and forced fumble. Francis tallied 35 tackles as a junior and also made one interception as he started every game.
During the 2020 season, Francis started nine games and helped Memphis compile a 8–3 record, while totaling 28 tackles, seven pass breakups and two interceptions. After being given an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Francis opted to return to the team in 2021 and became their number one cornerback.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114631060/the-commercial-appeal/|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 24, 2021|page=B1|title=Francis ready for new role as Tigers' No. 1 cornerback|author=Barnes, Evan}} {{Open access}} He also changed his jersey number to 1, as he had previously worn 32. He ended up being one of only six players to start all of Memphis' games, and recorded 36 tackles and a team-leading two interceptions.
Professional career
=Houston Texans=
After going unselected in the 2022 NFL draft, Francis was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent.{{Cite web|url=https://www.actionnews5.com/2022/05/02/jj-russell-jacobi-francis-sign-free-agent-contracts-with-tampa-bay-buccaneers-houston-texans/|publisher=WMC-TV|title=JJ Russell, Jacobi Francis sign free agent contracts with Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans|date=May 2, 2022|author=Springs, Tyler}} He was released at the final roster cuts, on August 30, but was subsequently re-signed to their practice squad.{{Cite web|url=https://texanswire.usatoday.com/2022/08/30/texans-cuts-tracker-2022/|website=USA Today|title=Texans' official roster cuts to get to 53|date=August 30, 2022|author=Lane, Mark}}{{Cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/houston-texans-2022-practice-squad-173834807.html|website=Yahoo! Sports|title=Houston Texans 2022 practice squad tracker: Grayland Arnold returns|author=Lane, Mark|date=August 31, 2022}} He was elevated to the active roster for their Week 11 game with the Washington Commanders,{{Cite web|url=https://torotimes.com/2022/11/20/houston-texans-jacobi-francis-debut/|website=Toro Times|publisher=FanSided|title=Houston Texans: Rookie DB could see first NFL action against Commanders|author=Vandervoort, Oliver|date=November 20, 2022}} and made his NFL debut in the loss, appearing on eight special teams snaps.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FranJa03.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Jacobi Francis Stats}} He later received elevations for Week 12 against the Miami Dolphins,{{Cite web|url=https://www.click2houston.com/sports/2022/11/26/texans-elevate-jacobi-francis-will-redmond/|publisher=KPRC-TV|title=Texans elevate Jacobi Francis, Will Redmond|date=November 26, 2022|author=Wilson, Aaron}} and Week 13 against the Cleveland Browns,{{Cite web|url=https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2022/12/03/texans-elevate-cornerback-jacobi-francis/|publisher=KPRC-TV|title=Texans elevate cornerback Jacobi Francis|author=Wilson, Aaron|date=December 3, 2022}} making his first career tackle in the latter. He was signed to the active roster on December 17, 2022.{{cite web|title=Houston Texans Transactions (12-17-2022)|url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-12-17-2022|website=HoustonTexans.com|date=December 17, 2022}}
On August 29, 2023, Francis was waived by the Texans and re-signed to the practice squad.{{cite web|title=Texans announce initial 53-man roster|url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/texans-announce-initial-53-man-roster|website=HoustonTexans.com|date=August 29, 2023}}{{cite web|title=Houston Texans Transactions (8-30-2023)|url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-8-30-2023|website=HoustonTexans.com|date=August 30, 2023}} He was released on October 27.{{cite web|title=Houston Texans Transactions (10-27-2023)|url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-10-27-2023|website=HoustonTexans.com|date=October 27, 2023}}
=Minnesota Vikings=
On July 25, 2024, Francis signed with the Minnesota Vikings.{{cite web|title=Vikings Sign LB Jabril Cox & CB Jacobi Francis |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/mekhi-blackmon-jabril-cox-jacobi-francis-kj-cloyd|website=Vikings.com|date=July 25, 2024}} He was waived on August 22.{{cite web|title=Vikings Sign Former Gophers RB Mo Ibrahim & OL Chuck Filiaga|url=https://www.vikings.com/news/mo-ibrahim-chuck-filiaga-signed|author=Peters, Craig|website=Vikings.com|date=August 22, 2024}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Francis, Jacobi}}
Category:American football defensive backs
Category:Players of American football from Newton County, Georgia
Category:Sportspeople from Covington, Georgia
Category:Memphis Tigers football players
Category:Houston Texans players