Illinois native Kellen Francis joins Nick Hill’s Southern Illinois Salukis as part of a 14-player mid-year transfer group. (Photo by FightingIllini.com)
By Dan Verdun
Kellen Francis doesn’t remember ever being at Southern Illinois University before making the decision to transfer to the Carbondale campus this semester.
While that may not sound uncommon, consider that his father, Mark, was an all-conference center at SIU (1988-91).
“I’m definitely familiar with Southern Illinois football,” Kellen told Prairie State Pigskin. “We always watched SIU games whenever we could and rooted for Southern.
“We’ve seen SIU play other places, but I’m not sure I’ve been to one in Carbondale.”
Francis, an offensive lineman who spent the last two seasons on Bret Bielema’s University of Illinois team, said his father and many of his teammates attended the final game at SIU’s McAndrew Stadium, a New Deal era relic that closed in 2009.
“My dad and most of my family went down for that, but I was only a couple of months old, so I think I had to stay back,” Francis said.
With head coach Nick Hill’s SIU team losing most of its starters off this past season’s offensive line, Francis should see plenty of action at Saluki Stadium, which opened in 2010 as McAndrew’s successor.
Though he saw playing time in three Illini games last fall, Francis wasn’t highly sought after coming out of Princeville High School, a Class 1A program approximately 25 miles northwest of Peoria.
“I didn’t really get recruited at all in high school by any Division I schools,” Francis said. “I didn’t really hit a growth spurt until my senior year.”
Francis said he was 5-foot-8 his freshman year of high school.
“By junior year, I was right around 6 feet tall. That’s what I told people anyway,” he said. “I shot up to 6-3 or 6-4 my senior season.”
Last fall, the Illini athletic website listed Francis at 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds.
“That’s pretty accurate,” he said.
Illinois by way of junior college
Francis spent his freshman year at Butler (Kan.) Community College, where he played guard and earned all-league honors in the highly regarded Jayhawk Community College Conference.
He transferred to Illinois, where he redshirted the 2024 season with an ankle injury.
After playing sparingly this past fall, Francis made the decision to enter the transfer portal. He chose SIU over offers from FBS programs in the American, Sun Belt and Mid-American conferences.
“Leaving the U of I, I didn’t really want to try to go get paid (through NIL) at one of those Power 4 programs. SIU just felt like home,” he said.
His decision
While his family history played a role, but Francis said his father ultimately left the decision up to him.
“I’ve always rooted for the program and been familiar with the program,” Francis said. “I’m aware of how good of a conference the Missouri Valley is. My dad playing here was a little bit of a factor. It’s pretty close to home. It’s a good program. I really like Coach Hill and Coach (Dan) Clark, our offensive line coach, and Coach Meade (Smith), the strength coach.”
“On my visit, it felt right, so I didn’t really think too much about the decision.”
Francis also isn’t dwelling about where he fits into SIU’s plans position-wise.
“That’s more of a spring ball conversation,” he said. “It’s probably somewhere in the interior, but wherever they need me. That’s where I’ll throw all my time and effort.”
One thing Francis has thought about is the potential of SIU in 2026.
“I didn’t want to go to a bad team,” he said. “I know that SIU was already a good team from last year and with all the retention going into this year, especially with (quarterback) D.J. (Williams), was definitely a factor. It’s a really good team with a really good quarterback.”
Saluki receiver Blayne Sisson spent a semester as a walk-on at Illinois when Francis was there.
“We both had time together there, so it’s nice to see him again,” Francis said.
Champaign toast
Ironically, the Salukis will face the Illini Sept. 19 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign.
“It will be a really cool experience,” Francis said. “That will be fun.”
Francis, who is pursuing a history degree, said he has two years of eligibility left.
“I like ancient history. I like the stories, I don’t have any problem doing a ton of reading or writing about it,” he said.
While his father’s time in Carbondale doesn’t go back to the pyramids, Kellen said his family is excited about the idea of heading back to the Little Egypt region this fall.
“I’ve had a lot of family members go to SIU,” he said. “They weren’t trying to push me too much in that direction. They let me make the decision on my own, but I could tell that they were a little relieved when I told them.”
7 on 7
The Salukis brought in 14 mid-year transfers from a wide range of schools.
With Williams returning to run the SIU offense, the Salukis brought in four wide receivers, including the return of junior Allen Middleton who spent 2023 and 2024 in Carbondale.
Middleton had a breakout season with SIU two years ago, catching 36 balls for 467 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed 25 times for 152 yards. The Mascoutah High School product transferred to FBS Bowling Green last spring. He had eight receptions for 52 yards and 16 rushing yards on five carries for the Falcons.
SIU brought in seven players on offense and seven on defense, led by four linemen.
SIU’s Mid-Year Signing List
(Name, Position(s), Height, Weight, Year, School, Hometown)
Seth Adams, K, 6-0, 178, Junior, Wisconsin-Whitewater, Utica, Ill.
Lance Bassett, DL, 6-2, 290, RS-Junior, Kansas, Lawrence, Kan.
Traivon Dyson, WR, 6-3, 180, Senior, UNLV, Las Vegas
Kellen Francis, OL, 6-5, 320, RS-Junior, Illinois, Princeville, Ill.
Luis Gastelum, OL, 6-4, 290, RS-Senior, Adams State, Phoenix
Te’Nerrian “Rue” Jackson, S, 6-0, 185, Junior, Copiah-Lincoln CC, Cleveland, Miss.
ShuMond Johnson, DL, 6-2, 243, RS-Sophmore, Troy, Fairburn, Ga.
Cole Lalama, LB, 6-2, 230, Senior, Western New Mexico, Queen Creek, Ariz.
Allen Middleton, WR, 5-11, 190, Junior, Bowling Green, Mascoutah, Ill.
Josh Newkirk, CB, 6-3, 179, RS-Junior, Lindenwood, Bixby, Okla.
Markell Quick, WR, 5-10, 156, Senior, Chattanooga, Cornelius, N.C.
Caleb Saner, DL, 6-1, 230, RS-Junior, Southwest Baptist, Valley Center, Kan.
Aiden Showers, WR, 6-3, 185, Junior, Edward Waters, Gibsonton, Fla.
Quinten Wagers, DL, 6-5, 215, RS-Sophomore, Ohio Dominican, Lebanon, Ohio
Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.
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