As the 2022 Early Signing Day period loomed, Florida Atlantic wasn’t expecting many surprises. Despite only a few weeks to work with, head coach Tom Herman had most of his class committed.
For the most part, the signing period was a matter of when they will sign, not if they’ll sign. By 9 A.M., FAU had finalized most of their current class. Just minutes before 10:30 A.M., Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas running back Gemari Sands signed his letter of intent, finishing the day for the Owls.
“The best part of signing day is when you can be done by 10 a.m., no surprises, no drama, everyone has signed on the dotted line,” Herman said, according to a press release sent by the university. “We are really, really excited about this class.”
In total, FAU signed 16 players during the period. 14 of those signings come from what is dubbed as “the Florida Atlantic Territory,” which encompasses Orlando, to Tampa on Interstate 4 and south from there. Herman and the coaching staff also signed six players from the Tri-County area.
Although most of the work was by former head coach Willie Taggart and his staff, Herman had no problems honoring their commitments to the university.
“I think when a young man commits to a university, I think it is our responsibility to uphold that commitment,” Herman explained. “For me, even watching all the commits that were from the previous staff/previous era, it was very apparent that all of these guys could help us win and help us win early. I just wanted to make sure that we were true to our word as a university as they were when they committed.”
According to 247Sports’ rankings, FAU’s class currently ranks No. 78 nationally and No. 2 in Conference USA. FAU also has the 7th-ranked class in the new look American Athletic Conference.
Here are three takeaways from Wednesday’s action.
Anytime you can get a commitment from Bradenton (Fla) IMG Academy, you take it.
There’s a reason why IMG Academy has been a national powerhouse for so long. There are few high schools in the world with as much individual talent as IMG Academy, and the Ascenders do a good job churning out quality players every year.
Offensive lineman Jordan Church is one of those players, and his commitment is a good sign for the Owls.
The 6-foot-4, 325-pound offensive lineman best projects as an offensive guard at the next level but he can play multiple positions. He’s seen snaps at both tackle spots and, most recently, along the interior for IMG Academy.
The former Louisville commit might need some seasoning in the weight room, but his film shows a starting point for FAU. He can move bodies in the run game as a guard, and when he gets his anchor point set, he’s almost an immovable object.
The good news is that FAU won’t exactly need him to start right away. Despite the loss of center Nick Weber, the Owls don’t lose much along the interior. Both starting guards return, and FAU has the depth to allow Church the time he needs to develop. If Church can come in and contribute right away, more power to him, but the Owls won’t be begging for that impact and could allow him to clean up his frame as necessary.
As Tom Herman took over as the head coach, FAU shifted its attention toward the junior college ranks.
While the junior college ranks are no guarantee in recruiting, these players often come ready to play quicker. Last season, for example, outside linebacker Xavier Peters moved from a junior college and appeared in 11 games, providing solid depth for FAU.
FAU added three JUCO recruits during Wednesday’s action, including offensive tackle Wallace Unamba.
We mention Unamba because there’s a clear pathway for him to play immediately. Unamba is a three-time NJCAA All-American, including this season. With the departure of left tackle Brendan Bordner, FAU will need to find a left tackle to come in and fill the gaping gap at offensive line.
FAU also added Darius McClendon, who committed to FAU from New Mexico Military Institute.
McClendon is originally a product of Forest Hill (Fla.) High School, where he was a standout defensive end. As a part of the 2019 recruiting class, McClendon committed to Middle Tennessee but entered the transfer portal in March 2021.
McClendon played eight games at New Mexico Institute. In those games, McClendon showed a knack for the ball, totaling four interceptions and seven pass breakups. He added 33 tackles to a resume that earned second-team All-SWJCFC honors.
McClendon played a few positions at NMI, including cornerback – his primary spot. He has the athleticism to stick with wide receivers in man coverage and has the ability to detect the ball like a magnet.
Welcome to modern-day college football, all.
Even after December’s signing day, the job isn’t completed. FAU’s staff will shift their focus towards the transfer portal and February’s signing day to put the finishing touches on their 2023 recruiting class.
The transfer portal will grant FAU an opportunity to add immediate contributors at positions of need, like quarterback.
With N’Kosi Perry’s departure and Willie Taggart Jr. choosing to enter the portal, FAU will need to find a veteran signal-caller to serve as a bridge or the young quarterback on the roster. While Michael Johnson Jr. and 2023 signee Luke Rucker could provide impacts, it’s better to bet on a proven commodity than a mystery box.
Although Tom Herman does not want to be “Transfer U” like some schools, Herman realizes that the transfer portal can help fill needs.
“I do think that we need a couple of pieces in the transfer portal, regardless of years left and all of that. We need some immediate help in certain areas,” Herman said. “I think you build a culture through high school guys and through guys that have been in your program for three, four, five years. We don’t want to be transfer U. We do know that we can use the portal and transfers to fill some immediate needs.”
FAU added multiple transfers last season who made immediate impacts for FAU over the course of the season. That list included starting left tackle Brendan Bordner, cornerback Michal Antoine Jr., and linebacker Morven Joseph. The final two names have added eligibility that will allow them to return to FAU, should they choose.
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