Before Florida Atlantic linebacker Frantz Joseph begins his NFL career with the Oakland Raiders, there was the matter of one more thing to do as an Owl on Wednesday.

Jospeh was in attendance at FAU's Senior Recognition Banquet (Click here for a photo gallery of the banquet) held at the Boca Raton Bridge Hotel and took home the Male Outstanding Athlete of the Year award probably the last major award he will receive as an FAU football player.

Women's golfer Praewnapa Phol-Uayporn won the Female Outstanding Athlete of the Year award for the second consecutive year, and will be turning pro herself - she joins the Futures Tour next month.

Joseph, who will be shipping off to Oakland to take part in the Raiders' rookie mini-camp later this week, has been working out at FAU's weight room since he signed on Sunday as a free agent to get prepared to play at the next level.

"Basically, I've just been doing what I've been doing and trying to get back in a football state of mind," Joseph said.

Joseph said he talked with the Raiders' coaching staff earlier this week and their advice was to report in shape and ready to work and he'll learn more about the schemes when he gets out there.

"All that combine-stuff is out the window. It's time to get back to football,." Joseph said. "They just said to be prepared, be in shape and get ready to show your football skills."

The banquet was nice send-off for seniors with each coach in attendance presenting the seniors off their team with a nice watch and some other academic awards were given throughout the evening.

The athletic department, especially Associate AD Melissa Dawson, worked hard to make the night a success and it was a nice send-off to the graduates who have given so much of their time to the Owls.

Click here for a list of other athletic department awards presented Wednesday.
- Marcus Nelson

Leave a Comment