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Florida Atlantic University Athletics
FAU Capitalizes On Winning Season, Gains Great Recruits
2/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Feb. 6, 2008
Signing Day Party Photo Gallery
BOCA RATON, FL - Florida Atlantic University continues its upward football spiral with the strongest recruiting class to date, Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger announced today in the Tom Oxley Center Founders' Lounge, located on FAU's Boca Raton campus.
"We are delighted with the group of young men that selected Florida Atlantic University over many of the nation's more traditional programs," said Schnellenberger. "No doubt the success of winning the Sun Belt Conference Championship and the New Orleans Bowl added great exposure and interest."
FLORIDA ATLANTIC 2008 FOOTBALL SIGNING CLASS
| Player | Pos | Cls | Hgt | Wgt | Hometown (Previous School) |
| Michael Barasch | RB | Fr | 5-9 | 200 | Fort Lauderdale, FL (University School) |
| Chase Bowers | OL | Fr | 6-6 | 265 | Panama City, FL (Mosley) |
| Keon Broxton | WR | Fr | 6-4 | 185 | Lakeland, FL (HS) |
| Andy Crupinski | DL | Fr | 6-5 | 255 | Venice, FL (North Port ) |
| Kevin Cyrille | DL | Fr | 6-4 | 275 | Miami, FL (North Miami Beach) |
| Travis Cox | DB | Fr | 6-0 | 180 | Fort Lauderdale, FL (South Plantation) |
| Erik Hansen | TE | Fr | 6-5 | 240 | Jacksonville, FL (Ed White) |
| Jimmy Jean | DL | Fr | 6-2 | 280 | Fort Lauderdale, FL (Northeast) |
| AJ Johnson | DE | Fr | 6-5 | 265 | Fort Lauderdale, FL (Cardinal Gibbons) |
| David Kooi | QB | Fr | 6-7 | 200 | Pensacola, FL (Pensacola Catholic) |
| Yourhighness Morgan | LB | Fr | 6-3 | 225 | Webster, FL (South Sumter) |
| Troy Niblack | OL | Fr | 6-6 | 280 | Orlando, FL (Edgewater) |
| Nick Osborne | DL | Fr | 6-3 | 210 | Fort Lauderdale, FL (Calvary Christian) |
| Alex Pattee | LB | Fr | 6-2 | 240 | Hollywood, FL (Hollywood Hills) |
| Jared Pizzuti | TE | Fr | 6-4 | 225 | Longwood, FL (Lake Brantley) |
| Randy Richards | OL | Fr | 6-4 | 290 | Royal Palm Beach, FL (HS) |
| Jordan Sessa | OL | Fr | 6-5 | 270 | Fort Lauderdale, FL (South Broward) |
| Xavier Stinson | RB | Fr | 5-9 | 228 | Miami, FL (Chaminade-Madonna) |
| Tony Walding | LB | Fr | 6-1 | 210 | Melbourne, FL (Florida Air Academy) |
| Graham Wilbert | QB | Fr | 6-6 | 225 | Valencia, CA (HS) |
| Demetrius Williamson | DB | Fr | 6-0 | 180 | Daytona Beach, FL (Spruce Creek) |
| Amos Wood, Jr | WR | Fr | 6-0 | 170 | Davie, FL (Hollywood Hills) |
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Freshman
Running back
5-9, 200
Fort Lauderdale, FL
University School
High School: Played for Roger Harriott at the University School where he recorded 2,078 yards and 25 TDs as a senior...earned Sun Sentinel Tri-County Player of the Year for class 3A-2A-1A and 1B Player of the Year, named first team All-Broward County, first team All-State and set the county's single-season rushing record...class 2B All-State by the Florida Sports Writer's Association...is the Broward County All-Time rushing leader...lone Broward County player to earn first team 2B honors...participated in the North vs. South All-Star Game and the Broward/Dade All-Star Game...considered schools from the SEC, Big East and PAC 10.
Personal: Undecided in major...son of Michael and Nikki Barasch...born Jan. 12, 1989 in Hollywood, FL...relative of Jerry Johnson (Jets) and Jarvais Dudley (Orlando Predators).
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Chase Bowers
Freshman
Offensive Tackle/Defensive End
6-6, 265
Panama City, FL
Mosley High School
High School: Played for Perry Brown at Mosley High School where he recorded 54 tackles as a senior. Earned All-County and All-District his senior season...four-sport athlete (football, basketball, track and weight lifting).
Personal:
Undecided in major...son of Brenda Lane and Walter Bowers...born Nov. 11, 1989 in Panama City, FL.
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Keon Broxton
Wide Receiver
Freshman
6-4, 185
Lakeland, FL
Lakeland High School
High School: Played for Bill Castle at Lakeland High School, a team that perennially vies for the state championship and is nationally ranked...team's leading receiver with 22 receptions for 376 yards as a senior...played his first full season after transferring to Lakeland...two-sport athlete (football and baseball, a sport where he has excelled and is considered a major league prospect...hit with a .461 batting average and was ranked fifth in the country)...joins a list of former Dreadnaughts who have earned a college education at FAU and will team with current linebacker George Allen...chose FAU for the opportunity to play both football and baseball.
Personal: Undecided in major...son of Angela Clark...born May 7, 1990 in Lakeland, FL.
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Travis Cox
Defensive Back
Freshman
6-0, 180
Fort Lauderdale, FL
South Plantation
High School: Played for Coach Manesco at South Plantation High School where he recorded 40 tackles and seven interceptions as a senior... as a junior he had 55 tackles and 11 interceptions...named to the Sun-Sentinel's All-County first team as well as the Miami Herald...participated in the North vs. South All-Star game and the Dade/Broward All-Star Game...two-sport athlete (football and track)...will join former South Plantation High School teammate Tavious Polo, who earned Freshman All-American Honors wearing a 2007 FAU uniform.
Personal: Undecided in major...son of John and Jacqueline Cox...relative of Frank Sanders who was a 1995 second round pick out of Auburn by the Arizona Cardinals...born Nov. 4, 1989 in Broward County.
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Defensive Line
Freshman
6-5, 260
Venice, FL
North Port High School
High School: Played for John Peacock at Venice High School, where FAU Defensive Tackle Coach Eli Rasheed served as a head coach...recorded 76 tackles, 39 solo, including 6.5 sacks...helped to lead the squad to a 7-4 record and a District 11 Title...three-sport athlete (football, weight lifting and track. Finished third in the country in MSR and fifth in the country with a shot put distance of 45 feet).
Personal: Undecided in major...Josh Tison is his guardian...born January 23, 1990 in Sarasota, FL.
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Defensive Line
Freshman
6-4, 275
Miami, FL
North Miami Beach High School
2007: Transferred from Western Michigan and joined the squad in January to begin the transition with the team.
High School: Played for Jeff Bertani at North Miami Beach High School, where he recorded 62 tackles, including 15 sacks...also forced four fumbles as a senior...earned First team All-Dade honors and participated in the Broward vs. Dade All-Star Game and the North and South Game...two-sport athlete (football and basketball).
Personal: Undecided in major...son of Marie Rock and Enel Cyrille...born June 13, 1988 in Miami, FL.
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Tight End
Freshman
6-5, 240
Jacksonville, FL
Ed White High School
High School: Gained his prep experience from Terry Gilliam at Ed White High School...recorded 15 catches for 180 yards as a senior...averaged 12 yards per catch and is credited with seven touchdowns...earned All-District and All-Conference honors...played in the North vs. South Shrine All-Star Game...earned the Academic football award for holding between a 3.0 and 3.5 G.P.A...two-sport athlete (football and an All-Conference track member)...also considered an ACC school.
Personal: Undecided in major...son of Lynn Buntin and Daniel Hanson...born Dec. 6, 1988 in Margate, FL.
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Defensive Lineman
Freshman
6-2, 280
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Northeast High School
High School: Played for Adam Ratkevich at Northeast High School where he tallied 85 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, including five sacks...earned first team All-Broward for his senior efforts...played in the North and South All-Star Game as well as the Broward vs. Dade All-Star Game...three-sport athlete (football, track and wrestling, where he captured the district and regional championship and was a state finalist)...strongly recruited by the Sun Belt and an SEC school.
Personal: Undecided in major...son of Dina Jean...born July 13, 1989 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. (No relation to fellow Owl Lester Jean).
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Defensive Line
Freshman
6-4, 265
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Cardinal Gibbons High School
2007: Attended summer classes at Connecticut before returning home for the fall and joining FAU in January.
High School: Played for Mike Morrill at Cardinal Gibbons where he recorded 65 tackles, including 8.5 sacks...also tallied eight receptions and two touchdowns as a tight end...earned All-County honors as both a junior and senior...named All-State as a senior...two-sport athlete (football and basketball a sport he earned honorable mention honors as a freshman and served as team captain).
Personal: Undecided in major...son of D. Allen, Sr and Beverly Ann Johnson...born June 24, 1988 in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
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Quarterback
Freshman
6-7, 200
Pensacola, FL
Pensacola Catholic
High School: Played for Greg Seibert at Pensacola High School where he passed for 2,500 yards and 21 scores as a senior...also rushed for 400 yards...named Max Emfinger All-America for his efforts, as well as first team All-Area and All-State...played in the Max Emfinger All-American Game and the Pensacola All-Star Game...one recruit source ranks him among the top-four quarterbacks in the state and notes his ability to transition from a high school pro-style to a college which runs a pro-style offense...three-sport athlete (football, basketball and baseball).
Personal: Undecided in major...son of John Matovia and guardian Mary Lassiter...born Sept. 28, 1989 in Fort Lauderdale, FL...heavily recruited by members of the Sun Belt and Conference USA.
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Linebacker
Freshman
6-3, 225
Webster, FL
South Sumter High School
High School: Played for Inman Sherman at South Sumter High School in Webster, FL... in just seven games during his senior year, he recorded 91 tackles, including two sacks...earned first team All-County honors, was named second team All-Central Florida and was a First team All-State member...participated in the Central Florida East and West All-Star Game...three-sport athlete (football, track and basketball)...one scouting source ranks him among the nation's top-50 linebackers.
Personal: Undecided in major...son of Samantha Morgan and the late Tyrone Bellamy...born Jan. 12, 1990 in Webster, FL...relatives Eric English played for Bethune-Cookman University and Earl Everett played at the University of Florida and for the Atlanta Falcons.
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Offensive Line
Freshman
6-6, 280
Orlando, FL
Edgewater High School
High School: Played for Bill Gierke at Edgewater High School where he earned All-County second team honors...participated in the Central Florida All-Star Game...three-sport athlete (football, basketball and volleyball)...considered schools from the Sun Belt and a Big 12 Conference member.
Personal: Undecided in major...son of Tami and Vincent Troy Niblack...born Sept. 5, 1989 in Orlando, FL.
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Defensive Line
Freshman
6-3, 210
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Calvary Christian
High School: Played for Jason Kaiser at Calvary Christian Academy where he played on both sides of the ball...recorded 55 carries for 415 yards...was named the 2008 Broward Bowl Defensive MVP as a defensive lineman...three-sport athlete (football, track & field and soccer).
Personal: Undecided in major...son of Susan Beach and Anton Osborne...born Oct. 18, 1989 in Hollywood, FL.
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Linebacker
Freshman
6-2, 240
Hollywood, FL
Hollywood Hills High School
High School: Played for Scott Barnwell at Hollywood Hills High School where he recorded 118 tackles, including 80 solo, during his senior campaign...forced two fumbles and recovered six, also had six sacks and an interception...named first team All-Broward by the Miami Herald and the Sun Sentinel...played in the Broward vs. Dade All-Star Game...two-sport athlete (football and track)...teammate of fellow signee Amos Wood...ranked by one recruiting source among the nation's top 150 linebackers.
Personal: Undecided in major...son of Sonya Pattee...born Oct. 31, 1989 in Miami, FL.
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Tight End
Freshman
6-4, 225
Longwood, FL
Lake Brantley High School
High School: Played for George Clayton at Lake Brantley High School and for Coach Matt Hedrick at Bishop Moore High School...tallied 105 yards as a senior and averaged 18 yards per carry...earned All-City and All-County honors as well as a second team All-District honors...three-sport athlete (football, track and baseball)...chose FAU over a Big 10 and Conference USA school...scouting source lists him among the countries top 90 tight ends.
Personal: Undecided in major...son of Steve and Kristin Pizzuti...born April 13, 1990 in Jacksonville, FL.
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Randy Richards
Offensive Line
Freshman
6-4, 290
Royal Palm Beach, FL
Royal Palm Beach High School
High School: Played Eric Patterson at Royal Palm Beach High School...participated in the Outback Bowl...three-sport athlete (football, wrestling and basketball).
Personal: Undecided in major...son of Melanie Richards...born Jan. 24, 1991 in Jamaica.
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Offensive Line
Freshman
6-5, 270
Fort Lauderdale, FL
South Broward High School
High School: Played for Allen Held at South Broward High School, where he recorded 50 tackles and five sacks playing on the defensive side of the ball...earned second team All-Broward honors as both a junior and senior...participated in the North and South and Broward vs. Dade All-Star Games...two-sport athlete (football and wrestling, a sport where he captured regional honors)...Bright Futures Academic Scholar...chose FAU after considering offers from the Sun Belt and the Big 10 Conference.
Personal: Undecided in major...son of Dan and April Sessa...born Aug. 19, 1990 in Dania, FL.
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Running Back
5-9, 228
Miami, FL
Chaminade-Madonna High School
High School: Two-way player for Mark Guandoro at Chaminade-Madonna High School...rushed for 700 yards and recorded 63 tackles, including six sacks his senior season...earned the team's defensive player of the year as a senior but was recognized every varsity season (10-12) as an All-County player...named Broward County Player of the Year as a senior...as a junior he played on both sides of the ball with 500 yards rushing...played in the 2006 Broward vs. Dade All-Star game...three-sport athlete (football, track and wresting, as a junior wrestler, he finished fifth in the state)...recruited a year ago by two Big East team, but elected to play at FAU...sat the year rehabilitating an injury. suffered during summer workouts.
Personal: Undecided in major...son of Theresa Barber and David Stinson...born Sept. 16, 1988, in south Miami, FL...nephew of former NFL fullback Tim Lester.
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Linebacker
Freshman
6-1, 210
Melbourne, FL
Florida Air Academy
High School: Played for Hodrick Hawson at Florida Air Academy where he recorded 48 tackles, including 31 solo tackles and eight sacks for a loss of 47 yards...also forced two fumbles and recovered five....as a running back tallied 14 carries for 65 yards for an average of 4.64 yards per carry...longest run was for 23 yards...had one touchdown...earned All-District 11 team honors...participated in the Central Florida All-Star and the Brevard County All-Star Games...three-sport athlete (football, basketball and weight lifting).
Personal: Undecided in major...son of David and Linda Walding...born June 19, 1989 in Jamaica.
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Quarterback
Freshman
6-6, 225
Valencia, CA
Valencia High School
High School: Played for Larry Muir at Valencia High School where he held a senior quarterback rating of 107...finished his final prep campaign 225-for-360 with just five interceptions, completing 64% of his passes...tossed for 2,905 yards and 26 touchdowns...also had 81 carries on the year and posted a 7-4-1 record as a starting senior.
Personal: Undecided in major...son of John and Mary Wilbert...born June 11, 1990.
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Defensive Back
Freshman
6-0, 180
Daytona Beach, FL
Spruce Creek High School
High School: Played for Gary Meadows at Spruce Creek High school, where he recorded 51 tackles and added four interceptions...ability to go to the ball saw him break up 11 passes and force three fumbles...saw time on special teams with one 50-yard return and three blocked kicks...earned first team All-District and first team Five Star Conference honors...named second team All-Central Florida and third team All-State...participated in the Volusia County All-Star Game...three-sport athlete (football, basketball and track)...academically tallied a 4.32 G.P.A and earned a Bright Future Scholarship.
Personal: Undecided in major...son of Chandra Williamson...born Dec. 27, 1989 in Rochester, NY.
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Amos Wood, Jr
Wide Receiver
Freshman
6-0, 170
Davie, FL
Hollywood Hills High School
High School: Played for Scott Barnwell at Hollywood Hills High School, where he recorded 47 receptions for just under 1,000 yards (957)...had eight touchdowns and a kick-off and punt return for a touchdown...earned first team All-County honors as named by the Sun Sentinel...also named second team All-County by the Miami Herald...played in the Offense - Defense All-American Game and the Broward vs. Dade All-Star Game...one expert list as a player who could play for any program in the country.
Personal: Undecided in major...son of Amos Perry Wood...born Feb. 9, 1988 in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
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