FAU finds quarterback of future in Palm Beach Dwyer’s Daniel Parr

Florida Atlantic may have found its next starting quarterback.

Daniel Parr, a 6-3, 195-pounder who led Palm Beach Dwyer to the Class 7A state title as a junior, is already in school at FAU and figures to learn behind starter Jaquez Johnson for the 2015 season.

After that, Parr should get a chance to lead the Owls (3-9, 2-6), who finished last in Conference USA’s East Division in 2014.

The Owls have since responded by lining up 25 recruiting commitments, including 21 in the state and 11 of those from South Florida.

Every position was covered, and the only spot where the Owls are a bit light is on the defensive line, where they have only two commitments.

Central Florida

Of the 15 commitments UCF has lined up, the highest ranked is four-star wide receiver Tristan Payton, a 6-0, 190-pounder from Jacksonville’s First Coast. The Knights hope he can help replace first-team American Athletic Conference receiver Breshad Perriman, who left UCF after his junior year to turn pro.

The Knights, who have more recruits on their current list from Georgia (four) than they do from Florida (three), have two other receivers committed.

UCF also got a quarterback, 6-3, 215-pounder Bo Schneider from Dallas; a running back, Taj McGowan from Hallandale; and a huge tight end, 6-7, 265-pound Cody Banks from Richmond, Virginia.

The Knights (9-4, 7-1), who are coming off their third straight season in which they played in a bowl game, also went heavy on linebackers, getting four commitments.

South Florida

The Bulls (4-8, 3-5), who struggled to score last year and were shut out 16-0 in a season-ending home loss to rival UCF, have commitments from five speedy receivers who weigh between 160 and 175 pounds.

One of those receivers is Trevon Sands, who played quarterback at Miami Southwest but was much more of a runner than a thrower. Sands may also get a look at running back and defensive back.

The Bulls, who finished seventh in the 11-team American Athletic Conference, also need major help on defense. They have commitments from four defensive backs, including two who have intriguing frames: 6-3, 160-pound Jaymon Thomas of Immokalee and 6-4, 190-pound Malik Vaccaro-Dixon of Port Charlotte.

Bethune-Cookman

The Wildcats (9-3, 6-2) tied for the MEAC title last season but lost coach Brian Jenkins in December when he took a similar position at Alabama State.

New coach Terry Sims, 43, spent the past five seasons as one of Jenkins’ assistants. Sims does not yet have any recruits officially committed, but the program appears to be in good shape.

FAMU

Two of FAMU’s four commitments are quarterbacks, including Kenny Coleman, a 6-1, 170-pound junior college passer from Mississippi who has already signed. The other QB recruit is Ryan Stanley, a 6-2, 190-pounder who played locally at Flanagan, earning first-team All-Broward honors.

FAMU (3-9, 3-5), which finished tied for seventh in the MEAC last season, used senior Damien Fleming at quarterback in 2014, meaning that the position is now open.

Stetson

The Hatters, who reinstated their football program in 2013 and went 4-7 last season, have one commitment so far: Matt Tucker, a 5-11, 255-pound defensive tackle from Plant City. He is listed as a two-star recruit.

Jacksonville

The Dolphins, who are coming off a 9-2 season, do not have any commitments as of yet.

This story was originally published February 1, 2015 at 8:32 PM with the headline "FAU finds quarterback of future in Palm Beach Dwyer’s Daniel Parr."