#37 Daniel Francis Season 2026
CAREER
Played in 48 games, starting three times … A special teams standout during his four years with the Tigers … Finished career with 76 total tackles and 3.5 sacks, all coming during the 2006 season … Selected to play in the 2007 East-West Shrine game in Houston.
SENIOR SEASON (2006)
LSU’s starter in nickel situations on defense … Also a special teams standout on kickoff and punt coverage for the Tigers … Played in 12 games, earning three starts … Recorded 31 tackles (12 solo, 19 assisted), 3.5 TFL and 3.5 sacks, while also breaking up three passes and forcing two fumbles … Capped career by tying a season-high with five tackles against Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl … Also had five tackles against Auburn … Recorded four tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in the Tigers’ win over Alabama … Against Ole Miss, had three tackles, a career-high two sacks and forced a fumble.
JUNIOR SEASON (2005)
Played in 12 games with no starts … Played in LSU’s nickel and dime packages on defense and was a key member of LSU’s coverage units on special teams … Ranked second on team in special teams tackles with 12 … Named LSU’s Special Teams Player of the Week against Arkansas … Finished regular season with 21 tackles and 2 tackles totaling 3-yards in losses … Had a season-high 4 tackles vs. North Texas … Had a quarterback hurry vs. Appalachian State and broke up a pass against Tennessee … Forced a fumble on kickoff coverage against Georgia.
SOPHOMORE SEASON (2004)
Played in 10 games … Sat out Arkansas game and the Capital One Bowl with a high ankle sprain … Recorded 9 tackles for the Tigers … Recovered a fumble on punt coverage in the fourth quarter against Auburn … Had 3 special teams tackles vs. Mississippi State and 2 vs. Vanderbilt.
FRESHMAN SEASON (2003)
A true freshman who thrived as a member of LSU’s special teams … Played in all 14 games with no starts … Ranked among LSU’s leaders in special teams tackles with 15, including four against Louisiana Tech … Had an outstanding game vs. Georgia in SEC title contest with 2 special teams tackles, including one on Georgia punter Gordon Ely-Kelso that resulted in a first quarter safety and an 8-0 LSU lead … Had 3 special teams tackles vs. Ole Miss and two each against Alabama and Arkansas … Saw action in 219 plays, 196 of which came on special teams … Played on defense side of ball against UL-Monroe, Arizona and Louisiana Tech.
HIGH SCHOOL
Gifted all-purpose back and receiver who led Port Barre to an undefeated state championship season with 1,387 yards rushing and 22 touchdowns … Ranked the No. 30 cornerback in the nation by Rivals.com … Member of the Baton Rouge Advocate Second Dozen, New Orleans Times-Picayune’s Top 25 Blue-Chip list and The Shreveport Times’ Top 20 … Made 4 interceptions his senior season, while being named a first-team 2A all-state selection … Showed great speed in the Superdome Classic scoring 4 touchdowns in a win over Iota, earning game MVP honors … As a junior, the 2A offensive MVP rushed for 1,362 yards and 24 touchdowns … Also had 60 tackles and 5 interceptions on the defensive side of the ball his junior season … A three-sport letterman who was a four-year starter on the state runner-up basketball team … Coached by Donnie Perron.
PERSONAL
Full name is Daniel James Francis … Born on Sept. 9, 1984, in Lafayette … Parents are Neil and Connie Thierry … Has three siblings, DeAngelo Francis and Damien and Devin Thierry … Majoring in general studies … Lists math as his favorite subject in school … Hobbies include playing with his dogs.
SEASON HIGHS
Total tackles: 5 vs. Auburn
Tackles for loss: 1 vs. Alabama
Sacks: 2 vs. Ole Miss
Interceptions: 0
CAREER HIGHS
Total tackles: 6 vs. North Texas, 2005
Tackles for loss: 1, three times
Sacks: 2 vs. Ole Miss, 2006
Interceptions: 0
FRANCIS’ CAREER DEFENSIVE STATS
Year G-GS UT AT TT TFL Sacks INT
2003 14-0 9 6 15 0.5-7 0 0
2004 10-0 2 7 9 0-0 0 0
2005 12-0 16 5 21 2-3 0 0
2006 12-3 12 19 31 3.5-24 3.5-24 0
Totals 48-3 39 37 76 6-34 3.5-24 0