Owls adding commitments
Final recruiting weekend before Signing Day brings seven commitments for FAU.
Originally published on
1/29/2012
by
Chuck King
Florida Atlantic's final recruting weekend couldn't have gone much better for the Owls.
FAU received at least seven commitments on the final weekend prior to Wednesday's National Signing Day, including at least two more junior college players.
FAU had been looking to solidify its offensive and defensive lines and the Owls have done just that. FAU received commitments from two defensive linemen, another on the offensive side, plus two tight ends.
FAU also picked up a commitment from a defensive back and a linebacker, both of whom could make an immediate impact.
Jefferson County defensive lineman Denzel Whitfield didn't decide until Sunday that FAU was where he wanted to spend his next four years.
“I committed today,” Whitfield said. “The new coaches they have there are building something special.”
Eastern Arizona College defensive lineman Quenton Brown and Delray Beach-American Heritage offensive lineman Arthur Crouse also committed to the Owls.
Whitfield played on both sides of the ball for Jefferson, never coming off the field. Kentucky offered the 6-foot-5, 260-pounder as an offensive lineman prior to his senior season, but he didn't take their offer.
Whitfield said FAU isn't sure which side of the ball he'll play at FAU, but he likes defense better.
“They are going to start me off on defense and wait to see where I fit in,” Whitfield said.
Twenty one of Whitfield's 63 tackles went for loss during his senior season. He also forced four fumbles and recovered two.
“He's one of those kids that the good Lord blessed with the intellect as well as the athletic ability,” Jefferson County coach Jeremy Brown said.
FAU added more size to its offensive line by landing a commitment from Delray Beach-American Heritage tackle Arthur Crouse.
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Crouse was a two-year starter for the Stallions, helping them reach the state finals each of the past two seasons. The Stallions won the Class 3A title in 2011. Jeremy Gaskins, also an FAU commit, was a running back on those teams.
Crouse visited FAU unofficially this weekend. where he received his offer.
“I couldn't turn it down,” Crouse said. “The facilities were so new and exciting. The coaching staff, they are all excited to be there and they want to win. It's just a program on the rise.”
Brown is a 6-foot-4, 230-pound pass rushing defensive end with the kind of speed rarely seen at the position.
He originally signed with Central Florida out of Tucker (Ga.) High School in 2009. After redshirting as a freshman, Brown left UCF for Eastern Arizona.
In his lone season with the Gila Monsters. Brown recorded 40 tackles in eight games, including 7.5 sacks. earning All-Western States Football League honors.
Belle Glade-Glades Central defensive back Cre'von Leblanc also pledged to play his football at Florida Atlantic.
Leblanc recorded more than 100 tackles from his safety spot, where he was widely regarded as one of the hardest hitters in Palm Beach County. The Palm Beach Post named Leblanc to its Small Schools All-Area team following the 2010 season.
He did not take part in the Raiders' playoff run, though, because he was suspended from the team. LeBlanc had been receiving interest from multiple BCS schools prior to his suspension.
Linebacker Brandin Bryant received some interest from Iowa St., Utah St. and Kansas out of high school in 2010, but he chose to go to Fort Scott Community College so he could be seen on more of a national stage.
He redshirted there in 2011, and committed to play at FAU in 2012.
“Coach (Jeff) Sims is a real good guy and so is coach (Carl) Pelini,” Bryant said. “I liked the system they ran up in Nebraska. Coach Pelini coached Ndamukong Suh and Sims coached Jason Pierre-Paul. They obviously know what they are doing.”
Bryant said he can run a 4.6 40 yard dash, bench press 405 pounds and squat 515. He recorded 93 tackles, including eight sacks, during his senior year of high school.
Minnesota and Toledo recently began calling him, but Brant visited FAU because Sims was the coach who originally brought him to Fort Scott.
Dillon Deboer played defensive end at Tarpon Springs-Eastlake, but a position change sounds like it could be in store for him when he gets to Boca Raton. Deboer said FAU coaches told him they'd like to see his 6-foot-7, 245-pound frame give tight end a shot.
“I do have good hands,” Deboer said.
If the move to tight end doesn't work out, Deboer thinks FAU will keep him on the offensive line.
“I just want to play,” Deboer said. “I don't even care where. They can put me at corner and I'll do my best.”
Daytona Beach-Mainland tight end Anthony Russell also said he committed over the weekend. The 6-foot-5, 240-pounder reportedly received interest from several BCS schools, including Rutgers, Louisville, Iowa St. and Florida International.
Sunday's seven commitments brings FAU's total to 25, counting the four players who are already enrolled for the spring. FAU could still add another player or two in the coming days. Should that happen, two of the signees already enrolled will likely be counted as part of the 2011 class.