Searching for talent
National Signing Day is months away, but Florida Atlantic's recruiting is already in full swing.
Originally published on
6/8/2009
by
Marcus Nelson
Ten years ago four Florida Atlantic football coaches went out for the first time during the spring evaluation period to scour the state for prospects and forge relationships with high school coaches that could provide the program with players.
There weren’t many changes from the strategy used in 1999 in this year’s recruiting playbook for the Owls during the spring evaluation period.
The Owls again are concentrating their effort on doing the best job on scouting in-state players.
“We’ve been out in strength and have ventured out further,” FAU coach Howard Schnellenberger said. “We’re pleased we’re becoming a household name in more and more homes. Winning back-to-back bowl games has really heightened the awareness of our football program and has exponentially raised their opinion of us.”
The philosophy may remain the same, but there have been a few shifts in the strategy recently as coaches have been evaluating upcoming seniors during high school football spring practices and camps on-campus, including an individual camp on Saturday that drew more than 150 players – the most FAU has ever had.
While many schools try to rack up non-binding verbal commitments, Schnellenberger prefers to wait until later in the recruiting year.
“We think we have a high obligation to the players at this juncture and we prefer to wait until after their senior year,” Schnellenberger said. “It’s unfortunate schools do that….For us it’s better to have a romance before we have a marriage.”
However, that doesn’t mean Schnellenberger won’t extend an offer in the spring.
“It would have to be a very special case,” Schnellenberger said.
And the number of players FAU reportedly has offered scholarships to is a small one, including Lake City-Columbia County running back Tiger Powell, Datyona Beach-Mainland wide receiver O.J. Ross, Jacksonville-Bolles safety Desmond Cooper and Fort Pierce Westwood defensive back Jameson Wright.
Another change in the last few years is that the Owls have placed an emphasis on the entire state - not just the area south of I-4. In the early years of the program Schnellenberger drew an imaginary line south of Tampa, Orlando and Daytona and declared it the “FAU Territory.” When Schnellenberger was at Miami he labeled the same area The State of Miami and it helped produce the bulk of his players.
However the FAU Territory is indeed expanding. Last season, FAU signed eight in-state players from outside the original territory.
“Our goal is to get into every high school in the state – I’m sure there are some we miss, but our goal is to go to everyone and I don’t think there is any other school in the NCAA that does that,” Schnellenberger said. “We want to look deep into the squad and have the coaches be able to tell us who the future stars will be. A lot of schools recruit this state, but we see the carpetbaggers come down and throw scholarships around and see what sticks. It’s not good for football.”
Recent staff changes have led to a change in the areas that FAU coaches recruit, Schnellenberger said.
The biggest change is offensive line coach Dale Williams, who recruitied Palm Beach County, will now be in charge of high schools in Broward County and new defensive tackles coach Rod Payne will take over recruiting in Palm Beach County.
Delray Beach-Atlantic coach Andre Thaddies, is impressed with Payne so far.
“I'm glad to see coach Payne,” Thaddies said. “He'll recruit against any MAC school or anybody else. That's what it's all about.”
FAU has been recruiting several players from Atlantic, which is close to FAU and which produces many Division I propects each season, Thaddies said. The Owls have shown interest in linebacker Eluzeis Vil and wider receiver James Louis.
“I know they have a good program over there,” said Vil, who has offers from Western Michigan and Central Michigan. “I've got to learn more about it.”
Said Louis: "I like that they think I'm a good player - that I'm good enough to fit their system and make plays for them. I like that."
Managing Editor Chuck King contributed to this report