FAU senior wide receiver Lester Jean makes a catch in Tuesday’s practice. (FAUOwlAccess.com photo)
Faster Lester
FAU wide receiver Lester Jean worked on improving his speed in the off-season and is off to a fast start this season.
Originally published on
9/7/2010
by
Marcus Nelson
BOCA RATON – When conditioning sessions were over each day this summer, Florida Atlantic receiver Lester Jean was just getting started.
In an effort to get that little bit faster that can mean the difference between having a pass fall harmlessly incomplete or being able to get to a ball and wind up in the end zone, Jean wanted to work harder than before.
Jean enlisted the help of Owen McGregor, the assistant coach for the Owls’ track and field team to help him increases his speed.
“He helped me out a lot,” Jean said. “He told me some of the little things that can be the difference between playing and playing at a high level. …Like coming off the ball and taking shorter and faster strides.”
Before he started, McGregor wanted to know if Jean was committed to training.
“He came, he showed up and came here wanting to show everybody this works,” McGregor said. “He sought me out and has always been respectful and has been very disciplined. He knows he’s good, but he wants to be great.”
Under McGregor’s guidance, Jean changed a few things on how he lined up at the line of scrimmage and how he made strides once he caught balls.
“We worked on his explosiveness,” McGregor said. “We moved his stance a little bit and told him to move his shoulders over his toes. That way when he moves everything is going forward. It was just mechanics.”
The extra hours on the practice field are paying off for Jean, who grabbed nine catches for 164 yards and had two touchdowns, including a one-handed catch for 77 yards.
“The hard work is paying off but I feel like that is just the beginning,” Jean said.
Without the training this summer, Jean may not have been as productive, FAU coach Howard Schnellenberger said.
“He was committed and he helped spread that to others,” Schnellenberger said. “It was good.”
No Henry: Backup defensive end Cory Henry was not in pads for Tuesday’s practice after the back injury he received in the victory vs. UAB but has not been ruled out for the game, Schnellenberger said.
Practice report: What we saw at Tuesday’s practice
Making plays: For most of the day redshirt freshman WR DeAndre Richardson was having no time getting open and hauling down catches. Richardson didn’t make any receptions last week vs. UAB, but he’ll be involved more this week vs. Michigan State,
Stepping up: RB Willie Floyd has had some pretty good practices lately and coaches seem to want to try and come up with ways to get him involved.
Instant message: “I wasn’t pleased with the most of the day, but they have very little practice practicing after a season-opening win. They probably thought they were giving extra effort and working hard, but they weren’t.”
- FAU coach Howard Schnellenberger