St. Thomas University running back makes school history, earning invite to Giants camp
Running back Rontavious Farmer made history on Sunday, becoming the first player in St. Thomas University history to get invited to an NFL mini-camp.
Farmer was invited by the New York Giants. The expectation is that if Farmer performs well at mini-camp, he will be offered a contract as an undrafted free agent.
“It’s truly a blessing,” Farmer told the Miami Herald. “Now I’ve got more work to do.”
Farmer did a lot of work during his STU career. Last season, he led the nation (NAIA) with 139 yards per game. He was sixth in total yards (1,528).
In addition, he averaged 5.9 yards per rush, and he totaled 18 touchdowns. For his career, he rushed for 5,719 yards and 67 touchdowns.
A native of Palm Bay, Farmer – who checks in at 5-9 and 195 pounds – ran a 4.47 in the 40-yard dash at FIU’s pro day.
Farmer impressed scouts even though he was surrounded by Division I players from FIU.
Said Farmer: “I didn’t go there thinking, ‘Oh my God, these are D1 players.’ For me, it was just another day of work.”
The irony is that – as of yet – no FIU player from the 2024 season was drafted or signed or even offered a mini-camp invitation, according to Panthers media relations personnel.
Meanwhile, Farmer, a Sports Administration major, was set to graduate next month.
But with the invitation to mini-camp, that could be on hold. Farmer will have to figure out if he can take his final exams without, obviously, missing his mini-camp invitation.
“It’s a bit overwhelming,” Farmer said. “But I know I’m going to get both of them (graduation and mini-camp) done.”
As for STU coach Bill Rychel, he said he’s proud of Farmer and the program.
“Rontavious is a great person with great character,” said Rychel, who has been STU’s coach since the program started in 2019. “I’m proud of everything he has accomplished.
“This is just part of the evolution of our program. We started with a bunch of freshmen, and now we’re finally starting to have some older players who can get these types of opportunities.”
Rychel said Farmer is Florida’s all-time leading rusher, across all divisions.
“When you know the great running backs Florida has produced, that opens some eyes,” Rychel said. “Rontavious is durable and productive. He dominated his division.”
THIS AND THAT
▪ FIU’s baseball team (26-18 overall, 9-8 Conference USA) has won four straight games, beating Miami and then sweeping 17th-ranked Western Kentucky. As for that sweep, this was the first time since 2016 that the Panthers won a series over a ranked team. The last time was a sweep over No. 13 Southern Miss.
▪ Former FIU offensive lineman Miles Frazier was drafted by the Lions in the fifth round on Saturday. He spent his first two years at FIU, starting 11 of his 15 games. He then became a three-year starter at LSU.
▪ Former FIU tight end Rivaldo Fairweather signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cowboys. Fairweather, who went to Boyd Anderson High, spent three years at FIU and two at Auburn. His total college stats include 116 catches, 1,499 yards and 13 touchdowns.
▪ Barry’s women’s tennis team, ranked first in the nation in NCAA Division II, won its 16th straight Sunshine State Conference title on Sunday, beating third-ranked Nova Southeastern University, 4-3. Barry’s men, ranked third, won its eighth straight SSC title.
▪ NSU’s women’s and men’s golf teams have qualified for the regional playoffs. The women are ranked ninth in the country. The men are ranked 20th in the nation.