1-800-CALL-SAM
November 12, 2025 | Women's Basketball, Joel Coleman
Madison Francis asked for a sign when making her collegiate decision and got one – literally.
STARKVILLE – When opponents put up shots against Mississippi State these days, they might also be offering up prayers. Not prayers that the ball will go in, but prayers that the attempt simply gets the chance to float towards the basket.
That's because suited up in Maroon and White is fantastic freshman Madison Francis, who is swatting away shots like they're Mississippi mosquitoes. Francis currently stands as the nation's leader in blocked shots with a dozen of them through State's first three games. The Lancaster, N.Y., native is making herself right at home in Starkville and making life miserable for shot takers.
And while foes continue to figuratively pray to find ways to get around Francis, it's cool to note how Francis' real-life faith is what moved her from the Northeast to down South to begin with.
So exactly how did Francis land in Starkville? Hear it straight from MSU head coach Sam Purcell and Francis herself.
PURCELL: "So short story is I recruited [Francis] when she was in eighth grade [and I was an assistant coach at] Louisville. Then there was a gap for a couple of years where we didn't talk, but I called her my second year here at Mississippi State and said, 'Hey, give me a chance. Get on a plane.' And she was like, 'Coach, we've known you from day one. We'll give you a chance.'"
Francis was eventually off to Starkville to see what life could be like as a Bulldog. She remembers she was immediately impressed on her visit.
FRANCIS: "Honestly, just the culture here [was great]. I came here and everybody was really welcoming, and, you know, it felt like a home. It felt like a second family. So, that's why I really wanted to come here."
Despite Francis loving her trip to MSU, she didn't immediately commit to Purcell and the Bulldogs. Deciding where to spend your collegiate career is a big decision, and Francis wanted to make sure she was making the right one. Purcell fully supported Francis as she went on a trip to another MSU – Michigan State.
PURCELL: "I said, 'Go up there and hopefully you feel something. Hopefully the good Lord talks to you and shows you that I'm the perfect fit for you."
Francis has long been an individual who relies heavily on her faith. So, she was already on high alert on her visit to Michigan State, leaning on her faith for guidance.
FRANCIS: "I keep God in my corner all the time, so I definitely look for signs."
Francis was looking for signs. Then, lo and behold, she got one. Literally.
FRANCIS: "We were driving to campus, and I saw like three back-to-back [billboard] signs and [they all said], 'Call Sam, call Sam."
PURCELL: "She goes to Michigan State. Her parents and her are driving in a car, and all they keep on seeing over billboard after billboard after billboard is 1-800-Call-Sam, who is a big-time lawyer in Michigan. Who is now, a.k.a. my new best friend. And [Francis] calls me and she's like, 'You won't believe this. There's our sign. Literally, all right? It's hanging up there. We've seen it four or five times. The good Lord's got this. We're calling you because we're going to come to be Bulldogs. And I said, 'Thank you, Lord.'"
FRANCIS: "I actually ended up cutting that visit short and I called [Purcell] and I was just like, 'Hey, I want to commit.'"
The rest is now history.
Francis is three games into her Bulldog career and averaging 11.7 points and six rebounds per game to go along with her 12 total blocks. She's helped State jump out to a 3-0 start ahead of a Thursday night, 6:30 p.m. tilt against Jackson State at Humphrey Coliseum – a place Francis is grateful she can now call home after getting the exact sign she was seeking.
FRANCIS: "[My time at State] has been awesome. I love the coaches here. They're for me and for us as a team and program. So, I really feel like this is home for me."
