The Owls have begun building their future depth at wide receiver, landing a big local commit in Branden Hoch. Branden Hoch Wide Receiver 6-3, 195 lbs Fort Lauderdale, FL St. Thomas Aquinas High School Hoch announced his commitment to the Owls on Friday evening, shortly after making his official visit last weekend. Hoch recorded 22 catches for 485 yards and nine touchdowns this past season for the West Boca Bulls, ultimately transferring to St. Thomas where he will play his senior year. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, Hoch is a force to be reckoned with. His wide wingspan and speed make him a reliable target whether it be close to the line of scrimmage or down the field. But catching the ball is not the only thing Hoch can do. His build allows him to play at tight end, where he is an elite blocker. Rated as a three-star receiver with an 83 score on 247Sports, he is ranked the 213th-best player in the state of Florida and the 249th-best at his position. He chose the Owls over enticing offers from multiple FBS schools such as Auburn, Miami, Boston College, West Virginia, and Ole Miss among others. He cited his reasoning was thanks to the close bond his family has with FAU. “Being born and raised in Boca Raton, FAU is a special place to my family and I. My mother graduated from there and we have been supporting the football team and going to their games as a family,” Hoch said. “It has been an honor to receive an offer and now commit to my hometown University.” Hoch is the 12th member of the Owls’ 2025 class, joining Seth Chestnut, Nigel Nelson, Hector Chavez, Damon Allen, and Robert Lee among others. His versatility and physicality will fit seamlessly into FAU’s offense, providing the Owls with a dynamic weapon capable of impacting the game both as a receiver and a blocker. His junior season highlights can be viewed below:
