fau deangelo antoine

Defense to Offense

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BOCA RATON – DeAngelo Antoine believes playing safety for South Florida last year will make him a better wide receiver for FAU this year.

Antoine began his college career as a receiver but moved to safety for a few months last season for the Bulls. A redshirt senior with immediate eligibility. Antoine transferred to FAU over the summer.

“Being at safety kind of helped me to detect what kind of route the receiver wanted to run and the splits and everything,” Antoine said. “It kind of really helped my game when I went back to receiver because now I know the tendencies as a receiver so now I try to kind of hide them now that I’ve played a little DB.”

Once he decided upon transferring, Antoine attended FAU’s spring game , liking what he saw.

“One thing I really love is the fast-paced offense,” Antoine said. “It really gets the defense on their back heels.”

Antoine also liked the idea of playing for Lane Kiffin.

“He wants to run and gun,” Antoine said. “He wants to air it out. He wants the big plays.”

The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Antoine averaged 15.3 yards on his 11 receptions in 2017. He caught six more passes for 75 yards last season after switching back to the offensive side of the ball.

More importantly for FAU, Antoine’s stint at defensive back made him a better route runner.

“If you can understand what the DB’s thinking, then it will be easier for you not to go the way that he’s anticipating for you to go,” Antoine said.

It hasn’t taken Antoine long to put his newly-found knowledge to good use.

On an offense lacking experienced playmakers, he’s already climbed to second-string slot receiver, behind veteran Willie Wright. Antoine’s emergence gave FAU coaches enough confidence to switch slot receiver Ladante Harris to cornerback.

HARD KNOCKS AT THE OX: Sunday’s Practice Report

Position Spotlight: The linebacker spot showed a bit of twist during seven-on-seven drills. FAU usually only puts two linebackers on the field at a time during that drill, employing five defensive backs. On Sunday FAU changed the drill to seven-on-eight, with defensive end Leighton McCarthy playing middle linebacker, flanked by Keke Leroy and Rashad Smith. …JUCO transfer Caliph Brice is playing along side Hosea Barnwell on the second unit. Barnwell’s fall camp is off to a good start.

Trending Topic: Returning center Junior Diaz has been solid with the first team thus far, but the Owls second and third strings struggled with snaps on Sunday. At the moment Jared Nourse is running with the second team at center. True freshman Federico Maranges, a guard in high school one year ago, is the third string center.

QB Battle: Nick Tronti did a good job of taking care of the ball during the spring, but that hasn’t been the case during the first few days of fall. On Sunday Da’Von Brown picked off a Tronti pass intended for Willie Wright during the full team period. Justin Agner left practice a few minutes early after meeting with trainers. No reason was given.

Playmakers: Leroy and Kevin McCrary both recorded sacks during the full team period.



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