HAMPTON, Va. (May 24, 2024) … Former Hampton standout quarterback Deondre Francois is a member of the UFL's Washington Defenders. Francois joined the team after the start of the season and has played in three of the team's first eight games.
 

Francois played for the Orlando Guardians in 2023. The team folded when the XFL merged with the UFL after the season. In 2023, Francois completed 51 percent of his passes with three touchdowns and three interceptions with the Guardians.
 

Francois spent three years at Florida State before transferring to Hampton for his senior season. At Florida State, he was the 2016 ACC Rookie of the Year while passing for 3,350 yards and leading the Seminoles to a 10-3 mark. He was on the Maxwell (Player of the Year), Walter Camp (Player of the Year), and Davey O'Brien (Best Quarterback) watch lists prior to his sophomore season before injuries derailed his season.
 

In 2019, Francois transferred to Hampton for his final season. He passed for 2,522 yards and completed nearly 57 percent of his passes while setting single-season school records for pass completions (205), touchdown passes (26), and total offense (2,670 yards) for the Pirates.
 

With the Defenders, he currently serves as a reserve behind defending UFL MVP quarterback Jordan Ta'amu. Ta'amu played his collegiate football at Mississippi and was originally drafted by the NFL's Detroit Lions.
 

The Defenders sport a 3-5 record and play at the Memphis Showboats on Sunday, May 26 at 2:30 p.m.