Ikaika Alama-Francis

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Ikaika Alama-Francis
refer to caption
Alama-Francis in the 2012 preseason
No. 47, 59, 91, 97
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1984-12-04) December 4, 1984 (age 39)
Kāne'ohe, Hawai'i, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:280 lb (127 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
  • First-team All-WAC (2006)
  • Second-team All-WAC (2005)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:48
Sacks:1.0
Fumble recoveries:1
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.[2] He played college football at Hawaii.

Early years[edit]

Alama-Francis was born to former Green Bay Packers backup quarterback and former high school football coach Joseph "Joe" Francis[3] 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.[4] 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[edit]

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.[5]

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.[7][8]

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.[5] In his 26 starts at Hawaii he had a total of 112 tackles (62 solos) with 10 sacks.[9]

Professional career[edit]

Detroit Lions[edit]

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.[10] 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.[11]

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.[12]

Miami Dolphins[edit]

Alama-Francis was signed by the Miami Dolphins on November 24, 2009[13] for a salary of $460,000.[14] The Dolphins tried changing his position from defensive end to outside linebacker. He competed with teammate Koa Misi for a starting position.[15]

In the 2010-2011 season, the Dolphins gave him a contract extension.[16]

San Francisco 49ers[edit]

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

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Twelve join high school Hall of Honor". The Honolulu Advertiser. May 20, 2002. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  2. ^ "2007 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  3. ^ "Honolulu Star-Bulletin". archives.starbulletin.com. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Curran, Bobby. "A Bigger, Stronger Alama-Francis". midweek.com. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c "Alama-Francis born for football". archives.starbulletin.com. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  6. ^ "University of Hawai'i at Manoa Athletics - Official Athletics Website". University of Hawai'i at Manoa Athletics. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  7. ^ "Honolulu Star-Bulletin Sports". archives.starbulletin.com. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  8. ^ Ikaika Alama-Francis Drafted on YouTube
  9. ^ NFL Events: Draft Player Profiles
  10. ^ "Alama-Francis and Purcell injured". archives.starbulletin.com. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  11. ^ Zavicar, Chrissie. "Alama-Francis Takes an Upbeat Approach to Life, but Knows when it's Time to Work". detroitlions.com. Archived from the original on August 19, 2007. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  12. ^ Kowalski, Tom (September 7, 2009). "Lions claim DE Copeland Bryan, CB Kevin Hobbs". mlive. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  13. ^ Orlando Sentinel: Miami Dolphins waive Matt Roth
  14. ^ "Dolphins salary cap figures for entire roster | Miami Dolphins In Depth". miamiherald.typepad.com. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ Nelson, Chris J. "Miami Dolphins Sign OLB Ikaika Alama-Francis to Contract Extension". Bleacher Report. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  17. ^ "49ers Sign LB Alama-Francis". blog.49ers.com. Archived from the original on August 19, 2012. Retrieved September 30, 2021.

External links[edit]

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