Francois heads to South Beach

Three-star defensive end Giovani Francois made a selection on Friday. The Upper Marlboro (Md.) Wise lineman decided to head for the sun of South Beach.

"I committed on Friday to FIU," he said. "It was crazy. The coaches were asking me about it when I called and they told me how happy they were about it. I talked to the defensive coordinator for 30 minutes to an hour.

"They just said they couldn't wait till I get on campus and I can work from day one to compete for a spot, they just couldn't say how happy they were to have me."

Francois had a few other offers, what was it about FIU?

"The coaching staff is one of the best, they have guys who have been in the business a long time, they coached Dwight Freeney," he said. "Coach Cristobal knows all the secrets, he has gotten national championships at Miami. He knows what it takes to win games and last year they won the conference, the first time for the school. They are a school on the rise. FIU is really proof of that.

"Also, the coaches are good guys. They are really cool and they put you where you need to get going. They like to be a friend, but also be a coach. A lot of times recruiters give half-truth and half bull, everything was the truth with them.

"Plus, it's Miami. It's a beautiful city, it's great in South Beach and I bonded with the players."