The Spring Transfer Portal period has been an active one for Florida Atlantic Football and on Thursday evening they made another addition. Former Thomas More Tight End and 3 star recruit Mike Kirch announced he would be spending his 4th season of collegiate football at FAU.
The 6 ‘5 235 pound Cincinnati Native has spent 3 years at TMU, a Division 2 school in Crestview Hills, Kentucky where he made a name for himself as a versatile tight end. Playing 27 games across 3 seasons, including all 22 over the past 2 years, Kirch has recorded 81 catches for 799 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Kirch earned a 3-star transfer rating via ON3 sports after receiving First-Team All Great Midwest Athletic Conference honors this past season and second team honors in 2023. Kirch has the experience as a pass catcher and the size to make impact as a blocker, which made him an ideal fit for the Kittley offense.
It was a quick decision for Kirch to commit to the Owls, as he entered the transfer portal on April 21st and was on an official visit a day later, receiving a scholarship on the 23rd and committing on the 24th. According to Kirch, the decision was a quick one thanks to the FAU Coaching Staff’s family approach, noting that on his visit they went out of their way to make him feel welcome.
“The coaches really did a good job selling it to me and my family that they are a family here. I really liked how the players, coaches and staff went out of their way to come up to introduce themselves to make me feel wanted. Also being so close to the beaches helped,” Kirch said.
Kirch joins a tight end room that was in need of additions after multiple departures throughout the offseason and currently has only 4 players on scholarship, with Kirch making 5. There is a direct path to playing time for Kirch, as the rising senior is the only one in the room with consistent playing time at the collegiate level, having 2 consecutive seasons playing in 11 games, and although Reid Mikeska and Martavious Collins will have a leg up having been here for Spring ball, Kirch can rise up the depth chart quickly with a solid summer and fall camp.
After staying loyal to his parents alma mater for 3 seasons, Kirch has made the move to Boca Raton for his senior year and his goal for this season is a simple one, win as much as possible.
“This upcoming season I’m excited to just get to playing and help the coach Kittley era start up and to help the team win as many ball games as possible,” Kirch said.
Kirch joins a tight end room featuring Reid Mikeska, Martavious Collins, Liam Besecker and Tamez Young and the room has seen departures from, Zeke Moore (Portal-Boston College), Wyatt Sullivan (Portal-USF), Kam Bell (Portal-Jacksonville State), Elijah Brown (Portal-UCF), Khalil Brantley (retirement) and Aliam Appler (Retirement).