FIU’s first two signees under Mike MacIntyre include son of ex-Miami Dolphins O-lineman

The first football signee of coach Mike MacIntyre’s FIU era is a Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons guard/center who has been trained by a former NFL offensive lineman.

He is John Bock II, son of the ex-center who had a seven-year NFL career, including from 1996 to 2000 with the Dolphins. From there, John Bock served as Florida Atlantic University’s offensive line coach from 2002 to 2004.

“My dad coached me my whole life, up until high school,” Bock II said. “He taught me everything I know.

“It’s a big advantage. As I learned more about playing O-line, the game slowed down. When you know exactly what you’re doing, it’s like the game is in slow motion.”

Bock has always been a big kid. As a ninth-grader, he stood 5-foot-10 and weighed 325 pounds. During the past two years, he shot up five inches and got in better shape. He is now 6-3-plus and 297 pounds.

Still, Bock is anything but an overnight sensation. He had never been a varsity starter before this year, and he missed the 2020 season due to COVID concerns.

“He went to Chicago with his family for the fall semester of 2020,” Gibbons coach Matt DuBuc said. “His mom is a nurse. John has asthma, and his parents were worried about his health.”

Once he returned, Bock won the starting job at right guard, which is where he will be on Thursday night when Gibbons will try to win its second straight Class 4A state championship.

That game against Cocoa will cap a wild six days for Bock.

On Saturday, MacIntyre — who had been invited to a Gibbons practice by DuBuc — left Fort Lauderdale most impressed by Bock. MacIntyre went back to his office, studied tape on Bock and offered him a scholarship.

On Sunday, Bock – who had been considering Connecticut and Western Carolina — visited FIU and accepted the scholarship offer.

Early Wednesday morning, Bock signed with FIU — one day before the state championship game.

Bock, who has a 3.0 grade-point average and plans on majoring in business, said he is going to try to convince Gibbons offensive lineman Jackson Crozier to join him at FIU. Bock said Crozier had been offered a scholarship by the previous FIU coaching staff.

So, what type of lineman is FIU getting in Bock, who has allowed zero sacks this year?

“I’m really aggressive on run blocks,” Bock said. “I feel like I have a good punch. I’m good with my hands.”

DuBuc said he was thrilled MacIntyre saw what he has seen all season with Bock.

“John plays with a nasty streak – very physical,” DuBuc said. “His fundamentals are phenomenal. You can tell he has been coached up by his father. There’s not a lot of wasted movement.

“We also use him on screens where he can release down the field. He’s athletic. John is not 6-foot-5 [ideal for an offensive tackle]. He’s a legit 6-3. He’s wide. He’s a perfect fit for guard or center.”

DuBuc indicated Bock would have been highly recruited had he played his junior year rather than sitting out due to COVID concerns.

FIU, DuBuc said, got a steal.

“Coach Mac has been doing this for a while, and he likes the way John moves,” DuBuc said.

“It’s good to see Coach Mac wants to make connections with the local high schools. He wants to build through the high school ranks.”

THIS AND THAT

▪ FIU’s second recruit in this cycle is Antonio Patterson, a 6-0, 195-pound running back from Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Over the past two years, he led Oakland High to a 30-0 record and two straight Class 6A state titles, scoring 37 touchdowns and gaining 2,827 all-purpose yards.

▪ FIU also picked up a commitment from Texas junior college transfer Will Prendergast, a 6-2, 285-pound defensive tackle who had 4½ sacks and 11 tackles for losses in eight games.

▪ Look for MacIntyre to sign a couple dozen more recruits — including transfers — in February.

▪ Brandon Harris, FIU cornerbacks coach for Butch Davis, will now have the same role with FAU.

▪ FIU punter Tommy Heatherly will kick in the East-West Shrine Bowl. FIU defensive backs Richard and Rishard Dames and Josh Valentine-Turner will play in the Tropical Bowl.

This story was originally published December 15, 2021 at 9:42 AM.