State recruiting: FAU earns commitment from Germany; USF flips Tennessee recruit
USF flipped a recruit from Tennessee.
FAU earned a commitment from Germany, and the Owls got another recruit – this one from Miami -- who has been described as perhaps the biggest “steal” in the state.
Those are three of the most interesting story-lines for the USF Bulls and the FAU Owls ahead of Wednesday’s start of the early signing period for football’s Class of 2024.
USF’s class is ranked 51st in the nation by 247 Sports. FAU is ranked 72nd.
Here’s a closer look:
USF
The commitment of four-star tight end Jonathan Echols to USF surely elicited a large roar at the Bulls’ football offices in Tampa.
This was a enormous “get” as Echols had been committed to Tennessee. The 6-5, 230-pounder also had offers from Alabama, Ohio State and Florida.
USF coach Alex Golesh, who has led the Bulls to a 6-6 record this season, was Tennessee’s offensive coordinator when Echols committed to the Volunteers. But when Golesh took the USF job, Echols decided to follow him to Tampa.
Echols is the only USF recruit in this class who ranks above a three-star player.
The Bulls, who have 27 commitments, including three college transfers, are thrilled to have quarterback Marcelis Tate from Neptune Beach Fletcher. Tate has been committed to USF since June of 2022, making him the first Bull in this class.
Fred Gaskin III has been Ocala Vanguard’s starting quarterback for the past three seasons, leading the Knights to a 30-6 record, including a berth in this year’s state semifinals. However, he is being recruited as a safety, a position he also played in high school.
Gaskin, who also ran track, has been used in a variety of defensive roles: deep coverage, in the box and pass-rushing.
The Bulls also have a commitment from Nico Gramatica, a highly-ranked kicker. He is the son of former kicker Martin Gramatica, who was a college All-American, a third-round pick, a Pro Bowl player and a Super Bowl champ.
Overall, the Bulls have commitments from four Dade/Broward players.
FAU
Keon Rohe, a 6-6, 285-pound offensive tackle, is the Owls’ recruit from Germany. He grew up playing handball and basketball.
Rohe, who also had offers from Nebraska, Liberty, Temple and more, has been playing football since age 13. He has a reported time of 4.97 in the 40-yard dash, which is excellent for an offensive lineman, and he is set to enroll in January.
Much closer to home, FAU has a commitment from defensive end Gavench Marcelin, a 6-3, 265-pounder from Belen who has drawn raves from recruiting expert Larry Blustein.
“Marcelin may be the biggest steal in all of Florida – super quick, a Power Five-type kid who had 40 sacks the past two years,” Blustein said. “(Marcelin) dominates every game he plays, no matter the competition. He’s a four-year starter who is as good as any defensive end in the state.”
Including Rohe and Marcelin, the Owls have 20 commitments, including two college transfers. Half of those recruits are from South Florida – six from Miami-Dade, three from Broward and one from Palm Beach.
FAU loaded up on speed with five cornerbacks and three wide receivers.
Another interesting Owls recruit is Leon Washington Jr., the son of the former NFL standout.
Washington Sr. made the Pro Bowl twice as a kick returner. Washington Jr. plays wide receiver, but he was also used as a running back, kick returner and defensive back.
USF COMMITMENTS
QB: Marcelis Tate, 6-3, 190, Neptune Beach Fletcher; RB: Nykahi Davenport, 6-0, 200, Roswell (Ga.); RB: Alvon Isaac, 5-11, 170, Hawthorne; WR: Brandon Winton, 6-1, 175, Alcoa (Tenn.); WR: Joshua Porter, 6-0, 170, Fort Meade; TE: Jonathan Echols, 6-5, 230, IMG; C-G: Teriyan Moran, 6-4, 295, Ocala Vanguard; OT: Tyreek Major, 6-6, 330, Tampa Gaither; OT: Braden Carter, 6-6, 275, Forsyth Central (Ga.); OT: Dinellson Exume, 6-4, 240, Miami Edison; DT: Chenellson Exume, 6-4, 250, Miami Edison; DT: Jahari Grant, 6-2, 280, Treasure Coast; DE: Ryan Jenkins, 6-4, 230, Westover (Ga.); DE: Jaylen Pettus, 6-4, 250, Iowa Western C.C. (transfer); DE: Damien Gill, 6-5, 230, Miami Killian; DE: Obi Ezeigbo, 6-3, 250, Gannon (transfer); OLB: Ira Singleton IV, 6-3, 220, Parkview (Ga.); OLB: Ashton Mosley, 6-3, 215, Blountstown; OLB: Levi Smiley, 6-4, 220, Cincinnati Marian; ILB: Devon Byrd, 6-3, 200, WPB Cardinal Newman; ILB: Zavier Hamilton, 6-2, 220, Fort Walton Beach; CB: Deylen Platt, 6-3, 175, Venice; CB: Hassaan Sykes, 6-0, 170, Tucker (Ga.); S: Fred Gaskin III, 5-11, 175, Ocala Vanguard; S: Jermaine Dallas, 6-2, 195, American Heritage; S: D’Marco Augustin, 6-1, 200, Youngstown State (transfer); K: Nico Gramatica, 5-8, 150, Tampa Cambridge Christian.
FAU COMMITMENTS
RB: Kaden Shields-Dutton, 5-10, 215, Orlando Edgewater; WR: Joseph Young, 6-1, 195, Coffeyville C.C. (Kansas); WR: Marlyn Johnson, 6-4, 200, Buffalo (transfer); WR: Leon Washington Jr., 5-8, 170, Tallahassee North Florida Christian; C-G: Braden Cunningham, 6-5, 320, Fleming Island; C-G: Ethan Proffitt, 6-4, 300, Jacksonville Bishop Kenny; OT: Keon Rohe, 6-6, 285, Germany; OT: Mauricio Hinds, 6-5, 285, Clearwater Academy; DE: Gabriel Birnbaum, 6-3, 265, Monarch; DE: Gavench Marcelin, 6-1, 240, Belen; DT: Loren Ward, 6-1, 280, Cocoa; ILB: Remington Roberts, 6-2, 195, Fort Lauderdale; ILB: Jarvis Johnson Jr., 5-11, 210, Westminster Christian; ILB: Char’quez Lee, 6-2, 195, Miami Palmetto;; CB: Lawrence Johnson, 6-0, 170, Miami Palmetto; CB: Jaheim Miller, 5-10, 160, Norland; CB: Curtis Janvier, 5-11, 165, Chaminade; CB: Elijah Cannon, 6-1, 170, Coconut Creek; CB: Kyle Boylston, 5-10, 165, Jacksonville Trinity Christian; S: Michael Wright III, 5-10, 175, Palm Beach Gardens.