Head coach Zach Kittley has landed his next transfer for the Florida Atlantic Owls as he boosted their offensive depth at the tight end spot, landing their next commitment in Reid Mikeska.
Reid Mikeska
Tight End
6-5, 265 lbs
Transfer
South Carolina
Mikeska announced his commitment to the Owls on Wednesday evening via X, shortly after entering the portal on Dec. 9. He joins the team with four years of eligibility remaining, noting his relationship with Kittley and familiarity with the offense as his main reason.
“Already had a good relationship with coach Kittley when he was at Texas Tech so I know how he uses tight ends in his offense. I think coach Dulaney is a great tight end coach and will help me develop. I love south Florida,” Mikeska said.
He looks for a new opportunity after being a member of the South Carolina Gamecocks for two seasons, having been a reserve at a position filled with experienced players while working with the scout team. He redshirted his first year on campus behind Joshua Simon and Trey Knox, as he took a medical redshirt this past season to recover from injury.
His conversations with Kittley and the coaching staff have been positive. Mikeska saw how he would be valued in the offense with the tight end position having a crucial role in the style of play Kittley intends on utilizing.
“Very excited to work with an offensive minded coach who is known for having great offenses,” Mikeska said. “I see myself coming in and doing whatever I can to help the team on offense and special teams.”
A 6-foot-5 athlete, Mikeska can play on the offensive side of the field at a high level. His ability to make catches as a receiver is worthy to note about the potential he showcased at Bridgeland High School.
As a senior, he caught 21 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns in 2022 as the Bears went 6-5. He was also a finalist for the Houston Touchdown Club Offensive Player of the Year and was a Texas District 16-6A second-team selection. He also demonstrated versatility by playing at tight end, half-back, and receiver as a junior.
Mikeska was viewed as a consensus three-star prospect by recruiting outlets coming out of high school. On 247Sports, he has an 86 score as the 48th-best tight end in the Class of 2023 and the 161st-best player in the state of Texas. He had multiple offers from Power Four teams like Clemson, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, and Tennessee among other schools as he initially committed to the Hurricanes before flipping to South Carolina in December 2022.
Mikeska has the ability to make key blocks and break down opposing defenses with his speed and strength, making him potentially invaluable for FAU’s depth at tight end and special teams. Nonetheless, he has one important goal in mind when it comes to being a new member of the Owls.
“Win a lot of games and do whatever I can to help FAU win football games,” Mikeska said.
With an NFL level laser measured 40 yard dash time of 4.78 seconds he is in line with the speed to do just that. In addition, his latest 20 yard shuttle time of 4.31 seconds would have him 17th out of the Top 40 combine participants in the 2024 cycle.
His highlights at Bridgeland High School can be viewed below: