Q&A with O'Bryant's Anthony Francis

It was a breakthrough 2017 season for O'Bryant's Anthony Francis.

A Boston City League North Division All-Star, he was also named an Eastern Mass. All-Star by the Boston Globe. Last October, Francis had a dominant game in his team's 24-16 win over Tech Boston, where he scored on a 75-yard kickoff return, a 12-yard touchdown reception, and a 35-yard pick-six.

A three-sport athlete, Francis is a captain in both football and baseball, and runs winter track.

The 6-foot, 205-pounder spoke to MassVarsity about his upcoming senior year, and goals going forward.

Here is an edited transcript of our conversation.

MV: Hey, Anthony, how are you doing?
AF: Good.

MV: What positions do you play?
AF: Outside linebacker, receiver, running back, kick returner and punt returner.

MV: So you play almost everything, huh?
AF: Yes.

MV: What are the types of things you want to do to improve your game?
AF: To get bigger, faster, stronger, and be more versatile.

MV: Do you have any stats on you?
AF: Thirteen touchdowns, two pick-sixes . . . That's just off the top of my head.

MV: What are the things you would say you were best at?
AF: Being coachable, a hard worker. I'm a ballhawk. Playmaking ability. Being able to play at all different parts of the game.

MV: What kind of college interest have you been getting so far?
AF: A little Division 2. I got some D1 camp invites but not really any offers.

MV: Which D2 schools have been looking at you?
AF: Stonehill, University of New Haven, St. Anselm, Bentley a little.

MV: What have you done this summer in terms of getting ready for your senior season?
AF: I worked out over the offseason. I did two different offseason programs. I did Legacy 7-on-7. I was in Elite Madness, which is a workout group which runs throughout the weekend.

MV: What are your goals for your senior season?
AF: To make a deep playoff run (O'Bryant went 5-5 and was eliminated in the first round of the Div. 7 playoffs).

MV: What are your latest 40 times?
AF: My last personal one was 4.68, and my last combine one was at 4.78. My 40 goal is a solid 4.6 or under. I also want to get to 215 pounds by November.

MV: What are your individual goals for this year?
AF: To have a great overall season. Maybe, stats-wise, over 20 (touchdowns) maybe. I don't really have a goal in mind for stats. Another goal is to get more recognition, because coming from the city you don't get a lot of recognition. Also, maybe break the O'Bryant touchdown record and make All-Scholastic.

MV: Great. Good luck with your season, Anthony.
AF: Thank you.

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