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BOCA RATON – New FAU coach Willie Taggart begins to formalize his first recruiting class this morning with the opening of the NCAA’s early signing period.
It’s the first day that high school seniors and junior college players can sign their National Letters of Intent, changing their recruitment status from a commitment to a signee.
Some of the players who sign today will arrive at FAU in January, allowing them to participate in spring practices. Others won’t make it to Boca Raton until the summer.
FAU currently has 11 known commits, but not all will sign on Wednesday. When we get word that a player has signed we’ll add their profile to the list below.
FAU 2020 Recruiting Class Signees
DeCarius Hawthorne, DE, Center Point (Ala.)
Height: 6-2, Weight: 280
Scouting Report: Explosive defensive end who recorded a sack in the Alabama-Mississippi all-star game last weekend. Could eventually move to defensive tackle. Signed with FAU despite not having taken an official visit to Boca Raton.
Other Suitors: Tulane showed early interest and his coach, George Bates, says several Group of Five schools came calling late.
The Word: “He’s very explosive, plays well with his hands, and moves laterally very, very well.” – Bates
Travis Lockhart, DE, Carrollton (Ga.)
Height: 6-3, Weight: 225
Scouting Report: An intelligent player with a good motor, Lockhart is technically sound while rushing the passer.
Other Suitors: Akron and Army reportedly offered Lockhart.
The Word: “I just came in this weekend trying to see [new coach Willie Taggart’s] ideas, where he sees the team in three years.” – Lockhart discussing his official visit.
Sebastien Dolcine, LT, Copiah-Lincoln CC
Height: 6-2, Weight: 300
Scouting Report: Former Kentucky signee is both big and mobile. Should enroll in January. Signed with the expectation he’ll replace graduating Brandon Walton at left tackle.
Other Suitors: Chose FAU over late pushes from Miami and UCF, along with Miss St. (former commit).
The Word: “He’s everything you want and more. He’s got a good motor.” – Glenn Davis, Copiah-Lincoln coach.
Justin McKithen, WR, New Hampstead (Ga.)
Height: 5-10, Weight: 160
Scouting Report: Fast – 4.3 in the 40-yard dash fast. Finished third in the 100 meters at Georgia’s Class 5A high school meet. Most likely will play slot receiver for the Owls.
Other Suitors: Arkansas showed interest before that coaching change. Southern Miss offered, as did some Sun Belt schools.
The Word: “He gets a hole on a bubble screen or a speed sweep and he’s really shot out of a cannon. He’s faster than everyone else on the field.” – New Hampstead coach Kyle Hockman
Charles Toombs, S, Immokalee
Height: 5-10, Weight: 155
Scouting Report: Multi-talented athlete intercepted six passes as a senior, returning one for a touchdown, and also returned two punts for TDs. Will play safety at FAU, but also played running back, wide receiver kicker and punter at Immokalee.
Other Suitors: Iowa St., NC State, and Kentucky were among the Power Five schools pursuing Toombs but he selected FAU, and stuck with his commitment because the Owls’ interest never waned.
The Word: “He’s definitely a God-gifted athlete. What he does with the frame that he has and how he’s able to do it, I don’t think there’s a drill that a coach could (devise) for a normal athlete to be as explosive from sideline to sideline.” – Former Immokalee coach Rodelin Anthony
Marlon Krakue, DE, Sprayberry (Ga.)
Height: 6-2, Weight: 225
Scouting Report: Recorded 88 tackles, including 6.5 sacks, and forced three fumbles as a senior. Can play outside linebacker or defensive end, making him well suited for FAU defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer’s LEO position. Intends to major in mechanical engineering.
Other Suitors: Several MAC schools, including Ball St. and Bowling Green, reportedly offered.
The Word: “He’s a big rangy kid with a high football IQ.” – Sprayberry coach Brett Vavra
Alvin Dempsey, DT, East Central (Miss) CC
Height: 6-1, Weight: 300
Scouting Report: Potential stalwart in the middle of the defensive line. Dempsey plugs holes against the run, but can also rush the passer when called upon. Intercepted two passes this season, returning one 80 years. Recorded a scoop-and-score as a freshman.
Other Suitors: North Texas (former commit), Troy, Arkansas St.
The Word: “He’s got a chance to play at the next level. He’s very quick. Fast for his size. He checks all the boxes, honestly.” – Rudy Griffin, ECCC defensive line coach
Joe Lewis, LB, Tampa Tech
Height: 6-2, Weight: 215
Scouting Report: Possessing good size and speed, Lewis could play either linebacker or safety. With the trend toward positionless defense, maybe he’ll do both. Also played centerfield on the baseball team.
Other Suitors: Lewis committed to FAU early in the 2019 process, keeping most other suitors at bay.
The Word: “He plays linebacker but he covers guys like a DB. You don’t find that combination in a 6-2, 200-pound kid.” – Tampa Tech coach Jayson Roberts
Andre Lamas, C, Miami-Columbus
Height: 6-3, Weight: 270
Scouting Report: Starting center for state champion Columbus, played alongside current FAU offensive lineman Federico Maranges. Earned Offensive Line MVP honors at FAU summer camp. Strong and smart, profiles as FAU’s center of the future.
Other Suitors: FAU was first FBS offer. Closed recruiting afterward.
The Word: “Great young man. Unbelievable work ethic. Probably more of an interior guy at the next level.” – Columbus coach Dave Dunn
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