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BOCA RATON – Willie Taggart’s first FAU recruiting class is taking shape.
The Owls signed 10 players during the early signing period. Today, National Signing Day, will see FAU nearly complete its 2020 recruiting class.
We’ll have all the action right here on our FAU Signing Day Live page, so there’s no need to look anywhere else.
When we receive word that a recruit has signed we’ll post their bio on this page. Below today’s signings you’ll find the bios of the players who signed early.
FAU 2020 National Signing Day Signees
Lajohntay Wester, WR, Palmetto
Height: 5-10, Weight: 175
Scouting Report: A late bloomer with game-breaking speed Wester will likely make his first impact on special teams. As a senior he returned three kickoffs and four punts for touchdowns, recording one of each in a single game against Largo. On offense, he’ll likely begin in the slot.
Other suitors: It came down to Bowling Green and FAU, with Wester choosing to play for Willie Taggart and Raymond Woodie – both of whom hail from Palmetto. Did draw some Power 5 interest.
The Word: “He’s very elusive. Hes dynamic. He’s electric.” – Palmetto coach Dave Marino
Lou Dorsey, TE, Iowa Western CC
Height: 6-6 Weight: 240
Scouting Report: Originally signed with Illinois out of Jacksonville-Ribault. Caught six passes for 60 yards while playing five games in 2019. Played in 12 games, starting seven in 2017 for Illinios, when he caught 22 passes for 395 yards and three touchdowns. Dorsey announced his intention to transfer to FAU via Twitter on Wednesday. It is unclear whether he signed an actual NLI. He’ll have two years of eligibility.
Other Suitors: Reportedly held offers from Memphis, Florida St., Marshall and Houston, among others.
Ja’Marquis Johnson, LB, Berrien (Ga.)
Height: 6-3, Weight: 220
Scouting Report: Played all over the field for Berrien throughout his career, including quarterback last season. Most thought Johnson would be a wide receiver in college, but the Owls like him as an outside linebacker – though Johnson still has the itch to play some offense. Johnson’s bond with Taggart dates back to the coach’s days at Florida St.
Other Suitors: Kentucky and Boston College were among the Power 5 schools recruiting Johnson.
The Word: “That’s what I’m going to talk to the coaches about. I need to touch the ball.” – Johnson
Chris Jones, DE, Coconut Creek
Height: 6-4, Weight: 225
Scouting Report: A rangy defensive end who could play outside linebacker in defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt’s 3-4 scheme, Jones is a pass rushing specialist. He recorded 48 tackles, including 10 sacks for Coconut Creek, earning Sun-Sentinel All-County honors. Chose FAU in large part because of FAU’s mechanical engineering program. Visited FAU last weekend.
Other Suitors: Florida St., then led by Willie Taggart, showed early interest in Jones. His decision came down to FAU and Kansas, where he was previously committed.
The Word: “He comes off the edge well. He uses his hands very effectively. He has a good start off the ball the ball. He knows how to redirect really well in the run fit.” – Coconut Creek coach Gerald Cox
Peter Warrick Jr., S, Marietta (Ga.)
Height: 5-10, Weight: 185
Scouting Report: Son of former FSU and NFL wide receiver Peter Warrick, Warrick Jr. will play defense for the Owls. The younger Warrick recorded 66 tackles and two interceptions in 2019, one year after being credited with 63 tackles and two picks. Also plays outfield for the Marietta baseball team.
Other Suitors: Memphis and several MAC schools were also a consideration for Warrick Jr.
The Word: “Tremendous football player. Extremely intelligent. Really understands the game well. Very physical.” – Marietta coach Rich Morgan
Evan Anderson, DT, Orlando-Jones
Height: 6-3, Weight: 340
Scouting Report: The big man in the middle is more than a space eater. He can really run. Anderson is currently a member of the Jones lacrosse team. He’s also strong. Anderson already has bench pressed more than 500 pounds.
Other Suitors: Had early interest from Tennessee, Missouri and North Carolina St., but several schools backed away because of a fear his weight would continue to rise. Georgia Tech, Kent St. and Massachusetts were after Anderson until he committed to FAU.
The Word: “For him, to be a big guy, he’s so quick twitch. That makes him freakishly athletic.” – Jones defensive coordinator Andrew Anderson (no relation)
Willie Taggart Jr., QB, Tallahassee-University
Height: 6-2, Weight: 175
Scouting Report: Son of the Owls’ new head coach, Taggart will begin his career as a quarterback but has the sheer athleticism to switch to other positions. Threw for more than 2,000 yards and ran for more than 1,000 as a senior. Is deadly on the run but will need to improve his mechanics in the pocket.
Other Suitors: Took and official visit to Michigan. Arkansas and UAB also showed strong interest.
The Word: “His playing style is very similar to Lamar Jackson.” – University coach Tyrone McGriff
Malik Jones, OL, Zephyrhills Cristian Academy
Height: 6-2 Weight: 328
Scouting Report: Starred defensively as a nose tackle at ZCA but will start his career as an offensive lineman – likely guard or center. Recorded 26 sacks as a senior despite being double-teamed on almost every snap. He’s also a state-champion wrestler.
Other Suitors: Troy, Marshall, Southern Miss and USF all pursued Jones vigorously.
The Word: “I think I bring a winning mentality, a hard working mentality – honestly just somebody that wants to win, that knows how to win.” – Jones
Jaden Wheeler, DT, Berrien (Ga.)
Height: 6-2, Weight: 280
Scouting Report: Signed with the Owls but won’t arrive until January as a grayshirt. He recorded 72 tackles, including nine sacks, forced four fumbles and deflected three passes as a senior.
Other Suitors: Canceled a visit to Syracuse, deciding that playing for Willie Taggart, Raymond Woodie and Kevin Patrick was worth the wait. Tulane and South Florida also showed interest.
The Word: “They like that I’m tough, that I can run for my size. I’m strong, super strong. I use my hands really well.” – Wheeler
Alex Atcavage, OL, IMG Academy
Height: 6-2, Weight: 275
Scouting Report: Will begin his career at right tackle, though he may be more suited to guard. Atcavage’s weight at one point ballooned to 340 pounds, but he used the year at IMG to get lean.
Other Suitors: Was planning to commit to Taggart at FSU before Taggart came to FAU. As a high school senior nearly committed to Minnesota.
The Word: “They want me to play as early as possible and they think that the right tackle position is the one that’s open.” – Atcavage
Trevor Reaves, DB, Miami-Edison
Height: 6-2, Weight: 180
Scouting Report: A big defensive back who loves to hit. Reaves will begin his career at safety but could grow into an outside linebacker. Reaves ultimately stuck with the first team to offer him. As a senior Reaves recorded 93 tackles, intercepted four passes, blocked a field goal and recovered two fumbles – returning one for a TD.
Other Suitors: Kentucky and Maryland showed early interest. Kent St. and Southern Mississippi made late pushes.
The Word: “He played safety because he was the brains of the operation.” – Edison coach Luther Campbell
FAU 2020 Early 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
Eli Fields, OL, Butler CC
Height: 6-5, Weight: 300
Scouting Report: Fields was the last of the early signees for FAU, visiting the school during the first week of January and enrolling well after the start of the spring semester. Though Fields may eventually move to guard, he’ll get his first opportunity at right tackle.
Other Suitors: Rutgers had early interest in Fields and UMass came calling late.
FAU 2020 Transfers
D’Marcus Adams, WR, FSU
Height: 6-0, Weight: 175
Scouting Report: Spent two seasons at FSU but never saw the field, redshirting once. A speedster, Adams competed on the FSU track team. Has already enrolled and is taking classes at FAU. He’ll participate in spring practice but his eligibility for 2020 is uncertain.
TJ Chase, WR, Clemson
Height: 6-1, Weight: 185
Scouting Report: Committed to FAU but has not enrolled. As a graduate transfer, Chase will be eligible immediately with one year of eligibility remaining. Caught seven passes for 70 yards last season for the Tigers. In his three years Chase tallied 25 catches for 206 yards and three touchdowns.
Malcolm Lamar, DT, FSU
Height: 6-5, Weight: 280
Scouting Report: Followed Taggart from FSU to Boca Raton. The redshirt sophomore played in four games last season, recording two tackles. Was an All-State performer as a high school senior at Armwood. Chose FSU out of high school over Oregon – then coached by Taggart – Alabama, Georgia and Oklahoma, among others.
Yanez Rogers, WR, Cincinnati
Height: 6-2, Weight: 180
Scouting Report: Played three games, catching one pass as a true freshman in 2018 but didn’t catch a pass in 2019. Rogers has three years of eligibility remaining, but will need to sit out 2020 unless the NCAA grants a waiver. He’s already on campus and will participate in spring practices.
Aaron Young, WR, Duke
Height: 6-4, Weight: 210
Scouting Report: Started all 12 games for Duke in 2019, becoming the Blue Devils’ third-leading wide receiver with 29 receptions for 367 yards. Caught 63 passes for 849 yards and seven TDs during three seasons at Duke. Transferred to FAU as a graduate student, so Young is eligible immediately with one year of play remaining.
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