Signing Day is Here

Today, at 7 a.m recruits are officially allowed to send in there letter of intents to the colleges they choose. Not too many big names left for FAU but it is worth watching who will fill up the final 2-3 spots in the class, and make sure everyone committed signs.

Things to Watch:

Commit DT Sean Watson is worth keep your eye on. My number 1 rated prospect in the class thus far, could easily end up signing else wear today. Hopefully the coaching staff has done all it can to convince him to sign with FAU

All signs point to QB Stephen Curtis (pictured above) to sign with FAU this morning. Curtis, who after his visit to Boca Raton, seems to feel that the atmosphere and environment is a perfect fit. Expect his letter to be in early this morning.

The remaining 2-3 spots could really end up going to anyone. Number 1 on my board still left is DE/TE Trevaughn Faircloth out of Hollywood Hills. According to his Facebook, "....my brada (teamate DE Dwaja Mera) signing 2marro...smash braz on deck!" I'm not too sure if Trevaughn is a candidate to qualify. Mera is set to sign with Rutgers, but no word on the 3-star product Faircloth.


Some other names to look out for to round out the class include, Booker T. Washington WR Jelanie Rouland or Jacksonville Bolles WR Jay Herndon.


- A. Ivins

Recruiting Update..

National Signing Day is hours away and FAU shouldn't be in for many surprises. As of this morning (Tuesday morning) FAU's coaching staff has locked up 13 verbal commitments. Stated before there is only room for 15-16 in the 2010 class so expect 3 more names to surface. Here is listed my top-3 prospects interested in FAU-

1. 3-star Trevaughn Faircloth DE Hollywood, Florida- Trevaughn (pictured above) is a physical specimen that is built to play both DE or TE. He could very well fit into FAU's offense and mold into the next Jason Harmon. Faircloth recently eliminated Illinois but has since remained silent regarding where he is going. A Ivins Forecast- 60 % for FAU declining

2. Jelanie Rouland WR Miami, Florida-Jelanie is a 6'5" wide receiver out of the storied Booker T. Washington program. I like his intangibles, but FAU already reloaded with current commit Marcus Cunningham. FAU could add some WR receiver help as there has been some speculation of academic troubles with some current receivers. If FAU offers hes most likely an Owl. A Ivins Forecast- 30 % for FAU steady

3. Mike Smith CB Titusville, Florida- going way out in left field here. After the owls have lost out on two CB prospects, Edward St. Vital and Normondo Harris, its obvious the staff is looking for someone and according to rivals.com Smith has an offer. A Ivins Forecast- 15% rising if the staff finds him

Other Recruiting Notes-

Watch out for current FAU commit DT Sean Watson to possibly waver if a better offer comes to the table... You have to wonder if previous FAU commit QB Brandon Doughty is rethinking his decision about switching his pledge to Western Kentucky, who just received a oral commitment from 4-star QB Brion Carnes... Looking over the visit lists, FAU brought in some impressive talent over the past month, RB Jawan Jamison (Rutgers), OL Joe McNarmara (Wisconsin), CB Normondo Harris (Purdue) and OL Chris Acosta (Louisville) were all seen in Boca...


Check out my article on Mike Jarvis's young basketball team at http://bleacherreport.com/articles/337768-faus-mike-jarvis-has-another-shot-at-march-madness

Predictions-
Super Tuesday: 7pm ESPN
Ole Miss at #3 Kentucky- Kentucky is having drama with John Wall and needs to rebound against a quality opponent after last Super Tuesday's upset. UK by 7

Christian Jones LB Lake Howell, Florida- Down to a good ole Florida - Florida State battle, Jones has deep ties to the Noles. However Urban Meyer is Urban Meyer. In a shocker Florida


- A Ivins

FAU lands a Sleeper

LB David Lozandier has made up his mind. After his High School team Miami North finished 3-7 in Florida's 6A- District 12, arguable one of the most gifted and talent rich districts in Florida, David Lozandier shifted his focus to recruiting and made his commitment to the Owls.

Lozandier i believe is a sleeper for the owls. With initial reports Lozandier reported verbal offers from Colorado State and Central Michigan after his Junior season where he totaled had 103 tackles, two interceptions, four sacks and nine TFLs. He was named NUC MVP for Linebackers at the Boca Raton combine. Shortly after big time programs such as Miami, Ole Miss, Duke, Cincinnati and Florida all started showing interest.


After a so-so season Lozandier has ended up in the lap of FAU's coaching staff. The best aspect Lozandier brings is athletic ability. His 40 time was clocked at 4.49 at the combine with a 31.5" vertical jump. Running track for Miami North he ran a 11.42 100 and a 23.32 200 at a meet last spring. The speed will be unique to FAU's linebacking corp, as long as he can bulk up and keep that movement.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/highschool/football/recruiting/player-David-Lozandier-68027

Mondays Thoughts 2/1..

Pitt to the Big 10 is the right move for the Pitt athletic department. Pittsburg opens itself up to a whole new market, as programs like Ohio St. and Penn St. will have the opportunity to play in a large city with an NFL stadium. From a basketball standpoint it will give Pittsburgh and opportunity to dominate the Big 10 which is up and down recently with this season looking more down than up. The Big 10 needs this and should be all for it, where as the Big East should be in panic mood. If Pitt should bolt for the Big 10 athletic departments like UCF, Memphis, ECU and Temple need to be ready.

To all of the people wanting to see Tim Tebow fail I guess everyone got what they wanted last week at the Pro Bowl. I have never seen so many people root against someone who is so successful at what he does. If I am an NFL GM, when looking at Tebow I realize I’m getting 3-things, a national championship QB, a Heisman winner, and the most competitive face in college football.

Prospects I love in the draft- (round I would draft them)

Anthony Davis OT Rutgers (1st)
Kyle Wilson CB Boise St (2nd)
Tim Tebow QB/ATH Florida (3rd)
Colin Peek TE Alabama (4th)
Chris Marinelli OG Stanford (5th)
Joe Webb WR/QB UAB (6th)
Darius Marshall RB Marshall (7th)
LeRoy Van RS FAMU (FA)

Around the Belt:

Western Kentucky landed a commitment from 4-star dual threat QB Brian Carnes. Carnes was once committed to USF then backed out and was heavily pursued by Nebraska before WKU landed his services. Apparently he has childhood ties to WKU’s new head coach Willie Taggart.

North Texas brought in ex-USF offensive coordinator Mike Canales. Canales had a top 35 offense his first two years as offense coordinator at USF but new head coach Skip Holtz choose not to retain him. Canales was also QB coach/ passing game coordinator at NC State when NFL QB Phillip Rivers was there.

Troy had the only pro-bowl Sun-Belt player in last night’s NFL Pro Bowl, DE DeMarcus Ware.

Western Kentucky and Hawaii will play in 2012 at Aloha Stadium.

-A. Ivins

FAU Fouls Out but Adds 2

FAU found itself with a chance as they led 34-33 at halftime against Western Kentucky. The first of a two game road trip for the Owls, (they play Middle Tennessee St. Saturday) head coach Mike Jarvis kept the 4-guard lineup in place as they played the most dominant basketball program the Sun Belt has to offer. WKU has made two back to back appearances in the Ncaa tournament (2008-09) and has found succes with a Sweet 16 apperance in 2008. However after halftime, the Owls voice began to fade. Starters F Brett Royster, G Sanchez Hugley, and G Alex Tucker all fouled out before the 5 min mark. Some of the calls were very questionable and Mike Jarvis let it be know to officials. Freshman G Ray Taylor and G Greg Gantt kept it competitive as long as they could but the Hilltoppers prevented the upset as G A.J. Slaughter took over in the second half finishing with 25 points. FAU fans have to be happy not only because they played the game close, but they also played well on the road, something rare during Mike Jarvis's tenure. Ray Taylor and the Owls will have another shot at WKU in Febuary before the conference tournament and hopefully the owls will find an answer for Slaughter.

Shifting too football, head ball coach Howard Schnellenburger and his staff are hot on the recruiting trail again, as they have received two more commitments the past two days. RB Tony Moore (6'1" 215) out of Lincoln HS in Tallahassee,FL has decided to come to play football in Boca Raton. Moore provides nice size and almost looks like a clone of current FAU running back and Sun-Belt leading rusher RB Alfred Mooris. Much like fellow commitment LB Micheal Copeland (Valdosta, GA) Moore comes from a storied program that over the past 3 years has had 19 players go to d-1 programs.

The staff also landed 3-star QB Brandon Doughty (6'3" 190) out of North Broward Prep in Coconut Creek, FL. Doughty looks like he could be the prize of FAU's class as the owls beat out the likes of Mississippi St. and FIU. Doughty provides nice sizes and reminds some of QB Rusty Smith.

Here is my latest mock class-(Bold designates committed)

1.*** QB Brandon Doughty (6'3" 190) North Broward Prep, Coconut Creek, FL

2.*** DE Corey Henry (6'3" 229) Carol City HS, Miami, FL

3.** LB Micheal Copeland (6'0" 211) Lowndes HS, Valdosta, GA

4. HB Tony Moore (6'1" 215) Lincoln HS, Tallahassee, FL

5. TE Alex DeLeon (6'4" 195) Bellview HS, Bellview, FL

6.*** LB Alpha Smart (5'11" 195) West Boca High, Boca Raton, FL (Ole Miss)

7. *** QB Stephen Curtis (6'3" 205) Sumter HS, Sumter, SC

8.** WR Arione Scott (6'2" 160) Nova HS, Davie, FL

9. *** OL David Delsion (6'6" 256) Sherdian Hills Christian, Hollywood, FL (FIU, Troy)

10. CB Normondo Harris (6'0" 165) Monsignor Pace, Miami, FL

11. LB D.J. Price (5'10" 195) Chiles HS, Tallahassee, FL

12. LB Durell Ward (6' 1" 205) Ely HS, Pompano, FL

13. DT Jordan Johnson (5'10" 245) Carol City HS, Miami Gardens, FL

14. DE Trevaughn Faircloth (6'4" 217) South Broward, Hollywood, FL- 1/15 (Illinois, CMU, FIU)

15. ATH Tyree Robinson (5'11" 180) Haines HS, Haines City, FL

16. OL Chris Acosta (6'5" 270) Hialeah HS, Hialeah, FL- 1/15

Thursdays Primer

The Vol Nation is in meltdown mode. After, Lane or as some call him "Lame" Kiffin spurned the University of Tennessee for the USC (Southern California) head coaching vacancy there where riots throughout Knoxville. The riots where originally started in hopes of boxing Kiffin's car in, which was unsuccessful in the end. To outsiders this might seem a little extreme, but the Vol Nation really dosent have an answer. Three weeks till national signing day and former assistant coach Ed Orgeron is telling current Tennessee early enrollies not to attended class so it will be easier to transfer to USC. The effects of this coaching change leaves 3 certain answers for Vol fans:

1. Current juco early enrollies QB Matt Sims and WR Kenbrell Thompkins will not be wearing the Vol orange next fall. Both Sims and Thompkins hail from El Camino Community College in Torrence, Ca and they both will follow Kiffin and his staff to USC as it appears they are more committed to Kiffin and Orgeron rather than a University.

2. Tennessee is placed into on of the most difficult coaching searches around. The obvious candidate they have to get is current Duke head coach David Cutcliffe. Cutcliffe has spent 19 seasons as a coach in Knoxville and there has to be a feeling he would want to come back after spending two seasons with Duke and leading that program to a respectable 9-15 which was Duke's best two year span since Fred Goldsmith's run in 1993-94. After what appears is a swing and a miss on trying to bring in Will Muschamp Tennessee A.D. Mike Hamilton will strike out if he cant bring in Cutcliffe. Other dark horse candidates include, Uconn's Randy Edsall and Air Force's Troy Calhoun.

3. Football will be pain full for Tennessee next year. Fans need to jump-on Bruce Pearl's basketball band wagon now. Tennessee is taking major blows in terms of recruiting as many recruits have already jumped or are considering jumping off the Vol Navy's river boats for another program with a head coach in place.

Big weekend ahead for College Basketball and the NFL.

Andrew Likes,

Thursday

Auburn at #10 Tennessee - UT by 18. The Vol Nation is pissed and Bruce Pearl responds.

Chicago at Boston- Bulls by 5. Great rivalry after last years playoff series. Celtics too injured.

Saturday

#2 Kentucky at Auburn- Kentucky by 22. Rough 3-Days for Auburn, UT then John Wall.

LSU at Florida- Billy Ball by 2. UF needs the three to fall to win almost any contest.

Arizona at New Orleans- Saints 28-17. Saints don't treat this one like an exhibition game.

Baltimore at Indy- Ravens 24-23. Joe Flacco and Ray Rice build off last weeks success

Sunday

Dallas at Minnesota- Farves 31-14. Not buying Dallas, Minnesota's offense flex's its muscle.

NY Jets at San Diego- J.E.T.S 17-14. Mark Sanchez shows how much potential he has

Owl Call:

FAU at Western Kentucky (Thurs. 8pm)- FAU by 1. Ray Taylor leads the new found 4-guard offense into Bowling Green and shocks the Hilltoppers on there home court. Not enough film of the system that has given FAU two blow-out wins over Sun Belt foes for WKU to prepare.

FAU at Middle Tennessee St. (Sat. 8pm)- Blue Raiders by 4. FAU can't complete the sweep up north.

Follow me on twitter/aivins

Big Weekend for FAU

With less than three weeks away till national signing day, Florida Atlantic has picked up the recruiting efforts. Head coach Howard Schnellenberger has tweeted about how this weekend (Jan. 15-16) will be a big recruiting weekend for the Owls.

FAU fans earlier this week learned of the commitment of LB Micheal Copeland (6'0" 211) out of Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Georgia. Copeland is rated as the 114th best OLB by Scout.com and comes from a Lowndes High School program that has been one of the most dominant programs in the state of Georgia. Over the past three years they have had a record of 36-4 and were ranked #2 in the nation at one time by ESPN in 2008. Florida State's CB and PR/KR man Greg Reid graduated form Lowndes last year and found immediate success in Florida State's defense. FAU's coaching staff is looking for the same result.

Looking ahead to this weekend, here is an unofficial list of who is expected in for FAU.

Jan. (15th-16th):

*** QB Stephen Curtis (6'3" 205) Sumter, South Carolina
*** CB Khari Burke (5'10" 165) South Plantation, Florida- 78th ranked CB
*** QB Brandon Doughty (6'3" 190) North Broward, Florida
*** DT Sean Watson (6'3" 283) Rutherford, Florida -35th ranted DT, 89th in the state
ATH Tyree Robinson (5'11" 185) Haines City, Florida
ATH Andre Robinson (6'2" 190) Longwood, Florida

-More prospects most likely will be visiting.

The biggest visitor coming in has to be DT Sean Watson. FAU struggled to get pressure from the pass rush all season and an upgrade is needed there immediately. Watson was high on South Florida but after there coaching changes a window has opened up for FAU. Expect a USF, FAU and FIU battle.