North Miami linebacker David Lozandier, flanked by his father Louis Wilky Lozandier and surrounded by his teammates, signed with FAU on Wednesday. (FAUOwlAccess.com photo)
Defensive help coming
FAU landed some quality players on defense for its 2010 recruiting class, especially up front, where the Owls needed help the most
Originally published on 2/3/2010
by
Marcus Nelson
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BOCA RATON - The biggest goal for Florida Atlantic during recruiting was to shore up its defensive line.
It appears the Owls did just that as three of the 12 players they signed play up front.
Pensacola defensive tackle Jerome McClain and Clewiston defensive tackle Willie Huggins join greyshirt Cory Henry as part of the 2010 Owls’ recruiting class.
“There are a couple of pretty powerful kids there,” said FAU recruiting coordinator Kurt Van Valkenburgh, who is also the Owls defensive coordinator. “We’re really happy with the class overall. It’s a good quality class and we maxed out our needs. …It’s smaller because of the numbers that are available to us, but I think this is a class of guys that can come in help."
The Owls lost out on Panama City-Rutherford defensive tackle Sean Watson, who had committed to FAU, but was offered a scholarship to Baylor Tuesday night and signed with the Bears on Wednesday.
"I just felt like Baylor was the best place for me," Watson told FAUOwlAccess. "I felt like Baylor was the top team - playing in the Big 12 - and I have the chance to do something big. I am happy with my decision."
The Owls also also received help for their defense by landing safety Cortez Ash, linebacker Michael Copeland, and safety David Lozandier.
This year's class also included two quarterbacks, Lafayette High School’s Nick Bracewell and Stephen Curtis from Sumter S.C.
“Curtis is big, has size and is a heavy kid,” Van Valkenburgh said. “Bracewell was a kid that we liked and he had been down here a number of times. We liked him quite a bit…At quarterback we went back in forth.”
FAU had another strong showing in the Florida Panhandle, bringing in McClain, Bracewell, and running back Tony Moore from Tallahassee-Lincoln.
"I feel like I am home down there already," Moore said.
Van Valkenburgh was happy with the players they pulled from that area.
“That’s an area we continue to do well in,” Van Valkenburgh. “I think the school has a lot of appeal to kids up there.”
Van Valkenburgh said the recruiting class is likely not finalized and possibly could add a couple more players in the next few days.
“Our goal coming in was 12 to 14, so we might have two more,” Van Valkenburgh said.