Ikaika Alama-Francis

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.

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
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

Early years

Alama-Francis was born to former Green Bay Packers back-up 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. 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

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

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.[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

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

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

References
  1. "Twelve join high school Hall of Honor". The Honolulu Advertiser. 20 May 2002. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  2. "2007 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  3. "Honolulu Star-Bulletin". archives.starbulletin.com. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  4. Curran, Bobby. "A Bigger, Stronger Alama-Francis". midweek.com. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  5. "Alama-Francis born for football". archives.starbulletin.com. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  6. "University of Hawai'i at Manoa Athletics - Official Athletics Website". University of Hawai'i at Manoa Athletics. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  7. "Honolulu Star-Bulletin Sports". archives.starbulletin.com. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  8. Ikaika Alama-Francis Drafted on YouTube
  9. NFL Events: Draft Player Profiles
  10. "Alama-Francis and Purcell injured". archives.starbulletin.com. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  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 2007-08-19. Retrieved 2021-08-30.
  12. Kowalski, Tom (2009-09-07). "Lions claim DE Copeland Bryan, CB Kevin Hobbs". mlive. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  13. Orlando Sentinel: Miami Dolphins waive Matt Roth
  14. "Dolphins salary cap figures for entire roster | Miami Dolphins In Depth". miamiherald.typepad.com. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  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 2023-09-21.
  17. "49ers Sign LB Alama-Francis". blog.49ers.com. Archived from the original on 2012-08-19. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
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