Francis was one of the best state running backs at La Marque High School as a senior, receiving All-district honors.
As a freshman, he was moved from running back to cornerback, starting 4 games while making 23 tackles and 6 passes defensed.
As a junior, he was moved again to cornerback, where he teamed with Thomas Everett to form one of the best defensive secondaries in college football.
As a senior in 1986, he was honored as a second-team All-American by United Press International (UPI).
In 1988, he entered the season as the starter at right cornerback, before dislocating his left shoulder during an intrasquad game in pre-season.
The injury forced him to miss 2 months and allowed former Baylor teammate Robert Williams to win the starting position outright.
In 1989, Williams suffered a sprained knee in the third game against the Washington Redskins, opening the door for Francis to regain the starting position.
After Williams returned to the lineup, they split time at cornerback until the fourteenth game against the Philadelphia Eagles, when he had 2 passes defensed during extended action in the second half.
His brother James Francis played linebacker in the NFL for the Cincinnati Bengals.