Under new coach Willie Taggart, FAU Owls concentrate on beefing up the trenches

Between transfers and freshmen, the Florida Atlantic Owls should be getting a lot of help.

Willie Taggart, FAU’s new coach, signed nine new players on Wednesday as college football’s “late” signing period began.

Added to the players signed earlier, the Owls now have 19 players in their 2020 class, including the coach’s son, quarterback Willie Taggart Jr., who is from Tallahassee.

However, that list of 19 does not include five transfers from four-year colleges who could soon make a significant impact: wide receivers T.J. Chase (Clemson), Yanez Rogers (Cincinnati), Aaron Young (Duke) and D’Marcus Adams (Florida State); and defensive lineman ) Malcolm Lamar (Florida State). All but Chase are already on campus.

As for the 19 that are listed officially as signees, this recruiting class was about the trenches as the Owls — who won Conference USA’s title last season under since-departed coach Lane Kiffin — added five offensive linemen, five defensive linemen and four linebackers.

The rest of the class includes three defensive backs and one wide receiver.

From South Florida, the Owls signed Miami Edison defensive back Trevor Reaves, Columbus offensive lineman Andre Lamas, Coconut Creek linebacker Chris Jones and ex-Miramar offensive lineman Sebastien Dolcine, who is a junior-college transfer.

SOUTH FLORIDA

The Bulls, led by new coach Jeff Scott, signed eight players, giving them 17 recruits in this cycle.

Two of the new recruits are from Miami: Central quarterback Kartavis Marsh and Booker T. Washington defensive end Tramel Logan. Both of them won state titles in high school, and Marsh — a 6-4, 210-pounder — chose USF after originally committing to Utah.

USF, signed two other QBs in this class, including North Carolina transfer Cade Fortin and freshman Jordan Smith, who also signed Wednesday.

Also on Wednesday, USF signed offensive guards Cesar Reyes and Uriah Greene; wide receiver Sincere Brown; tight end Holden Willis; and outside linebacker LeVontae Camiel.

Of the eight new signees, three of them are from outside the state: Reyes (North Carolina), Brown (South Carolina) and Willis (Tennessee).

Brown caught 53 passes for 1,210 yards and a 22.8 average per reception. Willis caught 73 passes for 1,704 yards and a state-record 28 TDs.

FLORIDA A&M

The Rattlers announced 16 signees, including nine on offense.

FAMU loaded up on the offensive line with five new blockers, adding one quarterback, one running back, two wide receivers, three defensive linemen, one linebacker and three defensive backs.

Three players are already enrolled: defensive lineman Donald Hall, a transfer from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College; offensive lineman Orlando Heggs II, a transfer from Wake Forest; and quarterback Jon Holcombe II, a transfer from Kansas State.

FAMU ventured into South Florida and signed South Dade wide receiver Trevon Sanders, Chaminade defensive back Benjamin Onwuzo and Pahokee offensive lineman DeLonus Kabir.

BETHUNE-COOKMAN

The Wildcats signed 25 players, including seven from either Miami-Dade or Broward.

Defensive back got the most help with six signees and two more listed as “athletes” who could end up playing in the secondary.

There are two quarterbacks on the list — Tony Bartolo from Tampa and Tyrone Franklin of Alabama.

FLORIDA MEMORIAL

The Lions, getting set to play their first season in 62 years, signed 40 players. Coach Tim “Ice” Harris will start spring football on March 9.

Among Wednesday’s signees were four players from Miami Northwestern: running back Andre Stringfield, offensive lineman Justyn Mack, defensive tackle Travis Lark and defensive back Keane Lewis.

“There’s nothing better than us all staying together,” Lark said. “Coach ‘Ice’ being there is a big plus as well.”

ST. THOMAS

The Bobcats, getting set to play their second season, signed 80 players. Some of the expected impact players are wide receiver Tyrese Blue, cornerback Cedric Williamson, running back Bryyon Jones, tight end D’angelo Antonio and offensive tackle Michael Noel.

This story was originally published February 5, 2020 at 9:17 PM.