Not all PBC coaches are upset with FAU
By Chuck King
Forest Hill football coach Chris Kokell has a message for other Palm Beach County coaches who are questioning the way FAU recruited the area.
“I don't get it,” Kokell sai
d. “They have been nothing but up front and honest.”
One of Kokell's players, athlete Mike Bullard (photo, in white), turned out to be one of the more interesting cases on Signing Day. One of the first players to commit to new FAU coach Carl Pelini, Bullard didn't become a member of the Owls' 2012 signing class.
Kokell said Bullard's academic issues prompted FAU to send him a document stating that the 5-foot-9, 160 pounder's athletic scholarship would begin in January, provided he completes the necessary requirements.
“Coach Pelini even called me himself to make sure I was comfortable,” Kokell said. “I have nothing but good things to say about the program. I would have no problem sending any of my top prospects there in the future.”
The idea of signing a gray-shirt deal also appealed to Bullard.
“I was trying to work on my signature all day,” he said.
Recruiting Criticism, Part II: While we're looking at Palm Beach County, I have to admit I fail to understand the uproar over FAU pulling its offer to Royal Palm Beach running back Tremane McCullough. The Owls offered McCullough during his visit two weekends ago, but he didn't want to commit because even though FAU was his only FBS offer, the recent academic qualifier expected other offers to come.
FAU waited for a little bit, but when McCullough kept looking for better offers the Owls moved on. The Owls chose not to take a player who didn't want to be in Boca Raton. Seems like a reasonable decision to me.
Brown out: It sounds like FAU didn't give up on an NLI from Fort Scott CC defensive end Quenton Brown until the middle of Wednesday afternoon. Brown seemed to be weighing other offers, but I can't find that he signed anywhere. The last minute commitments of defensive linemen Trevon Coley (Miramar) and Isaac Edwards (Tampa Jesuit) made the academically questionable Brown somewhat expendable. I'm not putting money on it, but I wouldn't be surprised if Brown does eventually sign with FAU in a day or two. It's hard to have too many linemen.
First may be best: Look for junior college transfers Melvin German (QB), Terrell Mitchell (TE), and Adarius Glanton (LB) to make the most immediate impact among today's signees. Down the road, though, I wouldn't be surprised if Kempner (Tex.) defensive end Shalom Ogbonda, the first player to commit, isn't looked upon as the prize of this class. He's young (skipped a grade), new to football, and by all accounts is a beast to try to block.
Today's Links...
OwlAccess.com's FAU Signing Day 2012 Coverage
Sun-Sentinel / The Palm Beach Post