Kirk Francis taking on leadership role as the starting Tulsa quarterback this season

Former Metro Christian star Kirk Francis was named the starting quarterback in the spring for the Golden Hurricane and he's taking that role seriously as the season approaches.

Q: Where do you think you've improved this offseason?

A: You know, I think I'm making a taking a big step, you know, off the field mentally, you know. I think that comes with the experience though, you know, being in the weight room, being around the guys, getting in the playbook. Coach Lamb and Robbins have done a great job just teaching me more about the game. You know, I think it's become a lot more natural. You know the game has been slowing down. And, you know, I think I'm really prepared to make a big break this season.

Q: No quarterback can be successful without a good route running, short run, game protection, all of that. How do you feel about the pieces around you and to use the ability to help with all of that to come together?

A: No quarterback can be successful without a good route running, short run, game protection, all of that. How do you feel about the pieces around you and to use the ability to help with all of that to come together? Yeah, I think the offense has come together great. You know, they did a great job acquiring some talent in the offseason. I'm really excited about the group of receivers. We have running backs. You know we have a really strong room there. And you know the offensive line I think is going to surprise a lot of people. We have a lot of talent there.

Q: How has the growth been for you?

A: I think there's been a tremendous amount of growth. I think you learn things every day. And, you know, I've been blessed to be around a lot of great coaches who have really taught me a lot about the game and about life. So I'm very thankful for them. And, you know, I think football wise, it's been just exponential growth since I've got here. And, you know, I've taken a lot of reps on scout team. I've played games at top 25 teams. You know, I've thrown a lot of interceptions. I've lost games, I've won games, you know, thrown for a lot of yards. So, you know, I think I've really kind of learned the hard way so far.

Q: How do you handle adversity?

A: Yeah. So, you know, I think, you know, like, I said, I've lost games on interceptions, thrown interceptions, but, you know, you just kind of take that in stride. That's part of game, that's part of life. And you know, I have a great support system around me who's always willing to talk about those things and help me through those things. And, you know, I think I have confidence in the work that I've put in and, you know, every day just sticking to a process, you know, not result oriented or process oriented here. And, you know, I think that it's just one step in the road.

Q: What was that phone call like with Ryan Switzer to come back and play another season instead of entertaining the portal?

A: Yes. You know, initially Coach Switzer knew that I was weighing my options. And, you know, there were people who wanted me to stay, people who wanted me to leave. You know, it was all kind of up in the air. And initially Coach Switzer was like, hey, you know, we have a guy coming in who will do great things. He wants you to be here. He's your kind of guy. And he gave me a lot of confidence in Coach Lamb. He gave Coach Lamb a lot of confidence in me. You know through the two years that we've been here together, he had seen enough in me that he knew that I was the guy. And you know, I owe him a lot, I really do. Our relationship off the field has become really strong, and he vouched for me. And, you know, ultimately it worked out.