Football season might be in full swing, but that doesn’t mean the recruiting grind has been put on hold.
FAU has been actively been recruiting high school prospects around the state, and a Thursday night game allowed for some of the coaches to hit the road last Friday.
Keep in mind that we’re currently in a “quite” period (which limits coaches to 45 visits between August 1st and November 30th) but there is still some news floating around.
Here’s the latest I have gathered with FAU’s recruiting.
– East Lake DE Hunter Snyder picked up his first offer last week, which came in the form of a letter from FAU. The Owls have been high on Snyder for a while now, and the coaches finally extended a written offer to the 6-foot-6 221-pound lineman.
Snyder was the talk of the developmental camps over the summer after clocking a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. His performance was so notable, that Carl Pelini even made an appearance on the practice fields.
Snyder is virtually unknown on the recruiting landscape, which will draw some comparisons to the days of Howard Schnellenberger, but he has the potential to be a true sleeper.
Two games into his senior season, he’s managed eight tackles and used his athletic frame to intercept a screen pass in the backfield.
Snyder will be in Boca Raton next Saturday for the Middle Tennessee State game, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he committed on the spot. His highlights, including the interception, can be seen here.
– FAU currently has seven verbal commitments for the class of 2014, and one player is solid to his word. Miami Central OL Reginald Bain committed back in June, but since then he has picked up offers from Appalachian State and Fordham. Bain (pictured) confirmed that he’s an Owl and is focusing on his senior year. The lineman starts at right guard for the Rockets, but I see him as more of a tackle. He was superb with his footwork when I watched him play a few weeks ago.
– Speaking of commitments, Hagerty QB Jason Driskel’s senior season is off to a rocky start. The quarterback has struggled in his first few games and led his team to an 0-3 record. Driskel was 4-of-12 passing for 52 yards Thursday night, and tossed two interceptions in a loss. He’s thrown just one touchdown so far this season, and ran for another.
– The Owls appear to have already locked up one official visitor. Booker T. Washington LB Tevin Evans told me that he plans to visit at the conclusion of the season. Evans is projected to play linebacker in college, but he might be better suited as a weak-side defensive end. Evans could ultimately provide something that the Owls desperately need, which is a pass rush.
– Alonso WR Derius Davis holds his only offer from FAU, and the 6-foot-2 205-pound pass catcher told me that he will be unofficially visiting for the Middle Tennessee State game. I’m expecting a healthy dose of recruits to be in attendance, and Davis will probably be one of the few with an actual offer.
– FAU recently offered First Coast DE Spencer Williams, who’s committed to Cincinnati. The greater Jacksonville area has treated the Owls good the past few years, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Jeff Sims somehow lured Williams into an official visit.
– The recruitment of quarterbacks is always one of my favorite topics, and while the class of 2015 is a year away, one name to keep your eye on is Boynton Beach QB Lamar Jackson. FAU hasn’t extended an offer to the local product, but both Utah State and New Mexico St. already have. Jackson plays a similar to current FAU quarterback Greg Hankerson, and has the ability to make plays with his feet. It’s never to early to lock up your future quarterback.
Information from FauOwlsNest’s Jake Sansom was used in this report.