Class small in numbers, but loaded with talent Eleven high school prospects signed their letter of intent today to play for Florida Atlantic beginning in the 2010 season. The class was evenly split with six players on both offense and defense. More signings are possible in the next few days according to Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger. This has been an unusual year due to the fact that we just had a few spots available under the maximum scholarship limits, said Schnellenberger. With that in mind, we are pleased with the players who have elected to join us. It is one of the strongest classes and we may add more as time goes by. With Corey Henry having signed last year, it brings newcomers to the 2010 roster up to twelve at present. Henry enrolled at FAU in January, making him eligible to participate in Spring practices which are set to start on March 24th. This may prove to be one of the strongest signing classes to date, with a few players having the skills to see playing time early. In contrast to past signing classes, it is becoming apparent the boundaries of the Sunshine State will no longer define the Owl’s recruiting territory; with both Georgia and South Carolina having been tapped this year. It should also be mentioned that the number, and caliber, of schools prospects are considering prior to committing is becoming increasingly greater on both accords. FAU coaches will likely continue to visit other states in the future while looking to expand further north into other fertile recruiting grounds. 2010 Florida Atlantic Recruiting Class Cortez Ash Safety – 6-2, 180 Sebastian River High School High School: Played for Randy Bethel, former player at the University of Miami, where he recorded 92 tackles, two interceptions, six sacks and blocked eight punts as a senior he also saw time at both quarterback and wide receiver and offensively recorded four touchdowns, 6.8 yards per carry and averaged 27 yards per catch as a senior he earned RB MVP honors, was named the Outstanding Senior and served as the teams captain as a junior he earned the Rookie of the Year honors three-sport athlete (football, track from grades 9-12, capturing the district championship in 2007-08, and basketball grades 9-11). Chose FAU Over: Bethune Cookman, Grambling, Wake Forest Nick Bracewell Quarterback – 6-3, 220 Lafayette High School High School: Played for Joey Pearson at Lafayette High School where he threw for 1,300 yards as a senior and recorded 17 touchdowns compared to just three interceptions despite missing the first four games with a shoulder injury earned first team honors by the Gainesville Sun as a junior: tossed for 2,262 yards, 31 touchdowns and saw just four intercepted earned first team honors by the Gainesville Sun and also was named first team All-State participated in the Florida Georgia Border War All-Star Game two-sport athlete (football and basketball). Chose FAU Over: Florida International, Tulane Michael Copeland Linebacker – 6-1, 215 Lowndes High School High School: Played for Randy McPherson at Lowndes High School, a school rich with tradition and familiar with championships owning the state title in 1980, 1999, 2004, 2005 and 2007 tallied 236 tackles, 19 sacks and 50 tackles for a loss as a senior he recorded 62 tackles, six sacks and was credited with 16 tackles for a loss three-time all-region selection and a two-time first team all-region Georgia defensive team member all-state honorable mention selection in 2009 served as the teams captain in 2009 and became the programs all-time sack leader earned first team all-combine by Scout.com and participated in the Under Amour Combine in March 2008 two-sport athlete (football and basketball). Chose FAU Over: Alabama-Birmingham, Florida International, Middle Tennessee, Tennessee Marcus Cunningham Wide Receiver – 6-0, 175 Kathleen High School High School: Played for Irving Strickland at Kathleen High School where he recorded 42 receptions for 502 yards and five touchdowns as a senior named second-team all-county by the Lakeland Ledger and first team all-county by the Florida Athletic Coaches Association played in the Florida Athletic Coaches Association North South All-Star Classic two-sport athlete (football and basketball). Chose FAU Over: Florida A&M, Georgia Southern Steven Curtis Quarterback – 6-3, 225 Sumter High School South Carolina High School: Played for Paul Sorrells, who played his collegiate career at Furman University during his three-year career at Sumter High School, he threw for 6,765 yards and recorded 76 touchdowns also collected 1,071 yards on the ground for 29 scores served as the teams captain as a senior and was a first team statewide selection grades 10-12 and an all-region selection led team as a junior to the state finals, and as a senior guided Sumter to an 11-3 record three-sport athlete (football, basketball as an 11th grader, but found success at a young age and carried it through in baseball) earned second team all-state honors as a 10th grader, first team honors as an 11th grader, as well as being named Region Player of the Year only eighth-grader to participate on the 2006 State Baseball Championship team played in the Little League Texas Championship World Series at 14 in 2008 he played no. 12 Byrnes in the South Carolina AAAA Championship game and is currently ranked no. 17 in South Carolinas players to watch) academically: member of Boys State. Chose FAU Over: Clemson, Furman, Holy Cross, Liberty Alex Deleon Tight End -6-4, 195 Belleview High School High School: Played for Mike Bowe at Belleview High School where he recorded 34 receptions for 349 yards and two touchdowns and recorded 61 tackles as a senior named first-team all-county by the Ocala Star-Banner and by the Florida Athletic Coaches Association three-sport athlete (football, basketball and track where he was a 3A state finalist in 2009 in the 110 high hurdles). Chose FAU Over: Duke, Indiana, Marshall Cory Henry Defensive End – 6-4, 235 Carol City High School High School: Played for Harold Barnwell in his final two years at Carol City High School and Harold Barnwell his first season recorded 60 tackles, including 14 sacks as a senior…also credited with five forced fumbles and two fumbles recovered, one for a touchdown…earned first-team All-State and first-team All-County…played in the Dade vs. Broward All-Star Game, a game that he blocked a field goal to preserve the Dade County win, and in the North vs. the South All-Star Game presented the 2008-09 Florida Defensive Player of the Year Award by the South Florida Touchdown Club for 4A, 5A, 6A. Chose FAU Over: Syracuse Willie Huggins Defensive/Offensive Line – 6-2, 305 Clewiston High School High School: Played for Joe Roth at Clewiston High School saw action on both sides of the ball recorded 70 knock downs, 20 pancakes, 20 tackles and three sacks earned Palm Beach County all-area honors played in the Broward Bowl and the Outback Bowl. Chose FAU Over: Georgia State, Northern Illinois David Lozandier Safety – 5-11, 185 North Miami High School High School: Played for Darryel Bethune at North Miami High School recorded 92 tackles and six sacks as a senior to earn All-Dade honors played in the North vs. South All-Star game two-sport athlete (football and track where he runs the 100m in 10.58, the 200m in 22.72 and the 400m in 47.72). Chose FAU Over: Central Michigan, Florida International, Kansas State Jerome McClain Defensive Tackle – 6-2, 263 Pensacola High School High School: Played for Coach Bennett at Pensacola High School where he recorded 88 tackles, eight sacks, one interception and one touchdown as a senior earned All-America honors and was named the 3A All-Area Player of the Year Pensacola News Journal MVP two-sport athlete (football and track). Chose FAU Over: Florida International, Illinois, Memphis, Southern Methodist Tony Moore Running Back – 5-11, 220 Lincoln High School High School: Played for Yusef Shakir at Lincoln High School where he rushed for 720 yards and recorded 15 touchdowns despite an ankle injury Captured the Honor, Courage and Commitment Award from the U.S. Marine Corps, as well as the teams Captains Award and was named the Offensive MVP participated in the Florida Georgia All-Star Game three-sport athlete (football, basketball and track). Chose FAU Over: Bethune Cookman, Georgia, Illinois, Oregon Blake Parrish Offensive Lineman – 6-4, 285 Bartram Trail High School High School: Played for Darrell Sutherland, who played his collegiate career at Virginia Tech as a senior he allowed just three sacks out of 191 pass attempts for a 98 percent grade recorded 31 pancakes and earned all-county (St. Johns), all-first coast and all-conference honors served as the teams captain as a senior and was a member of the leadership board played in the North vs. South All-Star Game and was invited to the North vs. South Shrine Bowl three-sport athlete (football, wrestling as a junior, and basketball grades 9-11) played his freshman season in North Carolina and then played for two different schools in Florida. Chose FAU Over: Maine, Massachusetts, Miami, Valdosta State Discussion
