National Signing Day has arrived with Florida Atlantic signing 17 recruits as new Head Coach Zach Kittley starts setting his framework for the Owls.
“Top to bottom, this is an incredible class. I’m thankful for those that signed with us today and I welcome them and their families to Florida Atlantic. The staff here did an incredible job in putting this class together, and I appreciate their efforts during the coaching transition,” Said Kittley about the new signees.
After FAU let go of defensive coordinator and linebacker coach Roc Bellantoni, who has now since been brought back on staff, as well as offensive line coach, run game coordinator and associate head coach Ed Warinner, Florida Atlantic lost four commits. With the firing of Tom Herman two more commitments followed. This left the Owls with 20 players with verbal commitments for National Signing Day.
Out of those 20 recruits, 17 signed with FAU. Out of the three others, WR Cameron Sapp flipped to Pittsburgh while ATH Teddy Hoffman has received immense interest from Florida State. DL Adrian Farrow is waiting for new staff finalizations before signing a letter of intent to the Owls.
As of now, FAU has the 77th-best recruiting class in the country according to On3. Compared to other squads in the AAC, the Owls sit fourth in the conference according to 247Sports. The teams that are currently ahead of Florida Atlantic are Memphis, USF, and East Carolina in that order.
Recruiting is far from over as the transfer portal opens on December 9. The Owls have multiple targets in the portal, so the pitches will continue up until the 28th. After that the next window to gain new Owls will be in April. FAU has lost at least seven players thanks to the transfer portal and will look to bring in players to fill the spots left behind from decommitments and transfers.
Notable Recruits:
Hector Chavez – LB, 5-10, 215 lbs, Columbus HS – 20th Ranked inside LB in the nation. Received multiple P4 Offers. Coach Roc Ballantoni shared on X, “Fast and physical! One of the best players in Dade County for years! Can’t wait to see this guy play.”
Mykel N. Calixte – WR, 6-4, 200 lbs, Dr. Phillips High School – Second highest rated recruit for the 2025 class for the Owls. Flipped from Central Michigan to FAU in June. As of now will be the tallest WR on the roster.
Jade Card – WR, 6-3, 200 lbs, Miami Norland HS – Highest rated player of the 2025 class for FAU. Held offers from multiple P4 schools. Two-way player in high school, and was designated as an athlete during recruiting.
Zion Paret – DB, 6-0, 180 lbs, Miami Central HS – According to 247’s Andrew Ivins, Paret was a multi-sport athlete as he also competed in track and field events. Received multiple offers including three AAC schools and eight P4 schools.
Commitments List
Damon Allen – DB, 6-1, 175 lbs, West Boca Raton, HS
Hector Chavez – LB, 5-10, 215 lbs, Columbus HS
Robert Lee – LB, 6-1, 210 lbs, Osceola HS
Jordan Magwood – QB, 6-0, 195 lbs, Carrollwood Day HS
Cameron Gooden- Edge, 6-4, 260 lbs, Westwood HS
Zion Paret – DB, 6-0, 180 lbs, Miami Central HS
Nik Turner – OL, 6-8, 280 lbs, Rockledge HS
Ethan Ervin – RB, 6-1, 185 lbs, Buford HS
Branden Hoch – WR, 6-3, 195 lbs, St. Thomas Aquinas HS
Logan Husband – OL, 6-4, 275 lbs, St. Thomas Aquinas HS
Tamez Young – TE, 6-4, 205 lbs, Robinson HS
Nimari Brantley – DL, 6-2, 260 lbs, Coconut Creek HS
Josh Roberts – Edge, 6-4, 220 lbs, Eau Gallie HS
Jade Card – WR, 6-3, 200 lbs, Miami Norland HS
Landon Rapkiewicz – OL, 6-4, 315 lbs, Benjamin School
Mykel N. Calixte – WR, 6-4, 200 lbs, Dr. Phillips High School
Rain Banick – OL, 6-3, 290 lbs, Providence Christian
15 recruits hail from the state of Florida, with eight coming from the Tri-County area. Ethan Ervin and Rain Banick are from Georgia.
Coach Kittley closed by sharing, “There are talented players at a number of positions, and I can’t wait to get going with them, and our entire team as we start building something special here in Paradise!”