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BOCA RATON – It’s only appropriate that college football’s early signing period occurs so close to Christmas.
Beginning on Wednesday high school seniors and junior college players can make their commitments official by signing their National Letters of Intent. Those papers are the present of promise to football fans across the nation.
At FAU, the upcoming signings inject hope into a dejected fan base that’s still trying to recover from a losing season.
FAU has 25 scholarships it can fill between now and the start of the season. The Owls won’t sign 25 players before Friday, when the early signing period ends, but unlike last season when the Owls only signed five players in December, this year’s early signing class could reach into double digits.
Here’s what to expect from the next couple of days.
EXPECTED TO SIGN WITH FAU
Caliph Brice, LB, 6-2, 235, Hutchinson C.C.: At 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, Brice has the size to make an immediate impact. He can play inside or outside, but operates best in space. He’s not expected to arrive at FAU until the summer. “Real good at being able to take stuff form the classroom, when it came to football, and take it out to the field and implement it,” Hutchinson co-defensive coordinator Alfred Davis said of Brice.
A.J. Bryant, WR, 6-0, 185, College of the Sequoias: Caught 19 passes for 335 yards and four touchdowns in nine games for the College of the Sequoias. The deep threat’s statistics likely would have been more impressive had COS not lost two starting quarterbacks to injury. Will arrive in January, and has four years to play three seasons. “I think he’s an NFL wide out,” COS coach Joe D’Agostino said.
Kelvin Dean, RB, 5-11, 190, Tallahassee-Rickards: Shifty and possessing good vision, Dean has a knack for finding the end zone, doing so more than 70 times in his high school career. May wait until Friday to sign during a ceremony at his school. “It was an easy decision,” Dean said of his choice to flip from Temple to FAU.
Diamante Howard, LB, 6-2, 210, Miami-Southridge: Dynamic linebacker will graduate in December and enroll at FAU in January. Could make an instant impact at a position of need for FAU.
Joe Lewis, LB, 6-2, 215, Tampa Tech: Possessing good size and speed, Lewis could play either linebacker or safety. With the trend toward positionless defense, maybe he’ll do both. “I’m always around the ball,” Lewis said.
Eddie Williams, LB, 6-1, 195, Miami-Palmetto: Another hybrid linebacker/safety, Williams helped lead Palmetto to a 27-6 record during his three seasons as a starter. “He’s just got great instincts,” Palmetto coach Mike Manasco said. “He has an innate way to find the football that most kids have to be taught.”
Rahmod Smith, TE, 6-5, 210, Homestead: Brother of FAU linebacker Rashad Smith, Rahmod took an official visit to FAU this past weekend. On Monday he de-committed from UNLV. Homestead will hold a signing ceremony for Rahmod on Wednesday. Sounds positive for the Owls.
MAY SIGN WITH FAU
Javion Posey, QB, 6-1, 185, Greenville (Ala.): At one point committed to Western Kentucky, Posey visited FAU this past weekend and those who visited with him said he came away impressed. FAU would like the dual threat QB to sign this week, but Posey has yet to commit to the Owls and may elect to wait until February to sign his name.
B.J. Emmons, RB, 6-0, 230, Hutchinson C.C.: FAU is expecting Emmons to arrive in Boca Raton in January, though it’s unclear whether the former Alabama running back actually has to sign an NLI. He was expected to enroll at FAU for the 2018 fall semester but delayed his enrollment to tend to some academic issues.
Desmond Noel, OL, 6-5, 310, Fort Scott C.C.: Currently committed to Colorado St., Noel visited FAU two weeks ago and many believe he will eventually sign with the Owls. It’s uncertain whether Noel will do so during the early signing period or wait until February. Originally an Ohio Bobcat, Noel will likely play guard at FAU.
Kaleb Boateng, OL, 6-4, 295, Fort Lauderdale: Local product appeared headed to FAU until Clemson came in with a late offer. Technically sound, can play all five offensive line positions. Will sign on Wednesday, then enroll at whichever school he picks in January.
Dwight Toombs, S, 6-1, 185, St. Lucie-Centennial: Could play safety or nickel if he becomes and Owl. Enjoyed his visit to FAU. He’ll choose between Southern Miss, Iowa, Utah and FAU, but won’t divulge whether he’ll become an Owl.
Adarius Tolliver, 6-6, 330, Autuaga Academy (Ala.): Committed to Troy but visited FAU this past weekend. Called the visit “awesome.” Has yet to announce a flip from Troy. The process may bleed into February.
Ricardo Watson, LB, 5-10, 240, Armwood: Watson visited FAU over the past weekend but has been tight-lipped about whether he’ll make a decision this week. Southern Miss and South Florida showed early interest.
The Unknown: There hasn’t been much talk about FAU’s recruiting class nationally. The Owls like it that way. Expect at least one and probably several players – especially from the JUCO ranks – to sign in the coming days whose interest in FAU has yet to be made public.
COMMITTED TO FAU BUT NOT EXPECTED TO SIGN
Jeremiah Ashe, DB, 6-2, 210, Tampa-Freedom: An early commit to the Owls, Ashe can play safety, corner and even come linebacker. He’s likely to wait until February but could still sign this week.
Eldridge Franklin, CB, 5-10, 160, Palm Beach Lakes: Franklin is fast and brings good cover skills, but he, too, will wait until February to sign.
Antavious Lane, Ath, 5-9, 170, Dwyer: Lane has the interest of multiple Power 5 schools but is sticking with his commitment – at least for now. He’ll wait until February to sign with FAU, hoping to do so with his Dwyer teammates.
James Meeks, RB, 5-10, 170, Dwyer: A knee injury that required surgery prematurely ended Meeks’ season. He still expects to sign with FAU in February, but will likely gray-shirt, putting off his enrollment to FAU until January of 2020.
Antarrius Moultrie, LB, 6-2, 210, West Florida Tech: A good hitter who could play safety or linebacker, Moultrie holds multiple offers from Group of Five teams but is still committed to FAU. May still sign on Wednesday.
Travon Thomas, DE, 6-3, 225, Miami-Edison: Could play defensive end or linebacker for FAU. Still waiting for his standardized test results, otherwise would have signed this week. “He loves FAU,” Edison coach Luther Campbell said.
Gio Richardson, QB, 6-1, 195, Dwyer: If Posey signs or commits to FAU, what will happen to Richardson? Many already believe Richardson will have to change positions in college. Will he be willing to do that at FAU?
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