Upcoming Event: Football at Florida on September 5, 2026 at 7:45 p.m.

2/4/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. - Owl Fans,
Here are the newest Grid Iron Owls, as of 10:30 a.m.
| NAME | CLASS | HT | WT | POS | HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS SCHOOL) |
Azeez Al-Shaair ![]() | Fr. | 6'1" | 215 | LB | Tampa, FL (Hillsborough) |
Rodrick Archer ![]() | Fr. | 6'1" | 190 | S | Plantation, FL (South Plantation) |
Bryan Beck ![]() | Fr. | 6'5" | 275 | OL | Franklin, WI (HS) |
Jack Breshears ![]() | Fr. | 6'5" | 280 | OL | Batavia, IL (HS) |
James Brunson ![]() | Fr. | 6'0" | 170 | ATH | Fort Myers, FL (HS) |
Khantrell Burden ![]() | Fr. | 6'0" | 195 | RB | Miramar, FL (Everglades) |
Chandler Dexter** ![]() | Jr. | 6'5" | 255 | TE | Luka, MS (Northeast Miss. CC/Tishomingo County) |
Jacob Douglas ![]() | Fr. | 5'10" | 213 | LB | Jacksonville, FL (Mandarin) |
Kemar Downer ![]() | Fr. | 5'11" | 170 | DB | Wellington, FL (Palm Beach Central) |
Ladante Harris ![]() | Fr. | 5'10" | 160 | WR | Sebring, FL (HS) |
Tavaris Harrison ![]() | Fr. | 6'3" | 166 | WR | North Miami, FL (HS) |
Richie Kittles, Jr. ![]() | Fr. | 5'11" | 175 | S | Fort Lauderdale, FL (Stranahan) |
Ralph Leonard ![]() | Fr. | 6'2" | 182 | WR | Starkville, MS (HS) |
Steven Leggett ![]() | Fr. | 6'2" | 255 | DL | Belle Glade, FL (Glades Central) |
Shelton Lewis ![]() | Fr. | 6'0" | 171 | CB | Orlando, FL (East River) |
Herbert Miller ![]() | Fr. | 6'1" | 185 | DB | Miramar, FL (HS) |
Jaye Miner ![]() | Fr. | 6'3" | 190 | LB | Wesley Chapel, FL (Wiregrass Ranch) |
J'Quan Napier ![]() | Fr. | 6'3" | 170 | ATH | Palm Beach Garden, FL (HS) |
Daniel Parr** ![]() | Fr. | 6'3" | 190 | QB | Jupiter, FL (Dwyer) |
Trey Rodriguez** ![]() | Fr. | 5'10" | 185 | RB | Daytona Beach, FL (Mainland) |
Ocie Rose ![]() | Fr. | 6'0" | 167 | DB | Miami, FL (Booker T. Washington) |
Tarrick Thomas ![]() | Fr. | 6'4" | 270 | OL | Tallahassee, FL (Lincoln) |
Kerrith Whyte ![]() | Fr. | 5'10" | 185 | RB | Loxahatchee, FL (Seminole Ridge) |
Kal-El Williams ![]() | Fr. | 5'11" | 240 | FB | Largo, FL (Pinellas Park) |
Richard Williams ![]() | Fr. | 6'2" | 275 | OL | Miramar, FL (Everglades) |
Jalen Young ![]() | Fr. | 5'11" | 175 | S | Loxahatchee, FL (Seminole Ridge) |
** Enrolled in January
Player Extended Bios
Azeez Al-Shaair
Freshman, LB, 6-1, 215
Tampa, FL (Hillsborough)
High School: Played for Earl Garcia at Hillsborough High School where he was credited with 236 career tackles for an average of 11.2 tackles per game...his career tackles included 151 solo tackles, 15 sacks, two interceptions and five forced fumbles...as a senior he was credited with 11 games played and 126 tackles, 6.5 sacks, five blocked field goals, a blocked punt, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries...as a junior, saw action in 10 games and recorded 110 tackles...was a two-time all-state, two-time all-county and all-conference selection...earned the team's Defensive MVP honors...earned NUC All-American honors and played in the Hillsborough County Blue & Grey game... holds a three-star rank by 247 Sports
Personal: Son of Naadhirah Lennon...born Aug. 4, 1997 in Tampa, Fla.
Bryan Beck
Freshman, OL, 6-5, 275
Franklin, WI (HS)
High School: Played for Louis Brown at Franklin High School...as a senior, the team posted a 9-3 record and was 6-1 in its conference...advanced to the quarterfinals of the state play-offs. ..three-sport athlete (football, basketball and baseball)...earned first team all-conference, first team all-region, honorable mention all-state and was a two-time all-conference selection...played in the Wisconsin Shrine All-Star game... member of the honor roll...two-star offensive lineman as ranked by both 247 Sports and ScoutRecruiting.com.
Personal: Son of Mike and Lori Beck...born on Oct. 29, 1996 in Wauwatosa, Wis...first player to join FAU from the state of Wisconsin...brother Trevor played for Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he was a three-time national champion and his father also played for Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Jack Breshears
Freshman, OL, 6-5, 280
Batavia, IL (HS)
High School: Played for Dennis Piron at Batavia High School which finished 2014 with a record of 8-2 and held a perfect 7-0 record in conference play...saw action on both sides of the ball...averaged nearly eight pancakes a game...did not allow a varsity sack in 24 career games...two-time all-conference and all-area honoree...earned Kane Country award...invited to the O2D, NUC and Blue-Grey Bowls...holds a two-star rank by 247 Sports...two-sport athlete (football and baseball).
Personal: Son of Jeff and Sally Breshears...born Sept. 15, 1995 in Aurora, Ill.
James Brunson
Freshman, ATH, 6-0, 170
Fort Myers, FL (HS)
High School: Played for Sammy Sirianni, Jr. at Fort Myers High School which ended 2015 with a 12-1 record and a 4-0 and finished the season ranked 37...saw action on both sides of the ball...had 36 catches for 765 yards receiving and two scores...added 42 yards on the ground...recorded 47 tackles and two interceptions...two-sport athlete (football and basketball)...tallied the school record for most interceptions in a game, most touchdown receptions in a game and most receiving yards in a game...earned Rotary all-star recognition in 2015 and holds a 3.66 GPA..listed as a two-star athlete by ScoutRecruiting.com.
Personal: Son of Chanetta Campbell-Brunson and the late James Brunson, Sr. ...born Jan. 26, 1997 (Super Bowl Sunday) in Cape Coral, Fla...relative of Herb Jainer, Ron Moten as well as Jaclen and Sammy Watkins who extended their playing careers after high school.
Khantrell Burden
Freshman, RB, 6-0, 195
Miramar, FL (Everglades)
High School: Played for Art Taylor at Everglades High School where he tallied 110 tackes, including six sacks, two interceptions and two touchdowns...participated in the North versus South Broward County Athletic Association All-Star team...holds a 3.3 G.P.A...member of the National Honor Society of High School Scholars 2013-15...played OLB, LS and RB while at Everglades...three-sport athlete (football, track and field and wrestling which he finished fifth in Florida for his weight class).
Personal: Son of Sonja Shirley Burden...born Feb. 23, 1997 in Miami.
Chandler Dexter
Junior, TE, 6-5, 255
Luka, MS (Northeast Miss. CC/Tishomingo County)
Joined the team in January
At NMCC: Played for Greg Davis at northeast Mississippi Community College where he recorded 12 receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns.
High School: Played for Lanny Jones at Tishomingo County High School where he tallied 761 yards on 41 receptions and and scored three times as a senior...earned first team all-district honors...played in the North Mississippi All-Star game...three-sport athlete (football, baseball and basketball)...academically earned Phi Theta Kappa honors...247 Sports ranked him as a two-star athlete.
Personal: Son of Tisha Kiddy and Bubba Dexter...born June 1, 1995 in New Albany, Miss.
Jacob Douglas
Freshman, LB, 5-10, 213
Jacksonville, FL (Mandarin)
High School: Played for Brian Braddock at Mandarin High School which finished 6-4 on the year...recorded 90 tackles, including three sacks and 20 tackles for a loss...also credited with two interceptions and a forced fumble...named first team all-district, first team all-conference, second team North Florida, first team all-state 8A defense and second team linebacker by the Florida Times Union and was an All-Gateway selection...earned Big John Henderson's Player of the Week award...recorded 88 tackles, 16 for a loss and had four sacks ...played in the Florida (F.A.C.A.) all-star game...four-year varsity letter winner...247 Sports ranked him as a two-star athlete...two-sport athlete (football and track and field)...earned seven letterman awards including four in football.
Personal: Son of Willie and Debbie Douglas...born Nov. 9, 1996 in Jacksonville, Fla.
Kemar Downer
Freshman, DB, 5-11, 170
Wellington, FL (Palm Beach Central)
High School: Played for Tino Lerulli at Palm Beach Central which finished the year 7-4 and with a perfect 5-0 mark in District play...tallied 324 yards on 21 catches for an average of 15.4 yards as a senior...found the end zone four times, three as a receiver...three-star athlete as rated by ScoutRecruiting.com...the south Florida native is rated as the 31st best corner in the state and the 63rd best in the region, also by ScoutRecruiting.com...247 lists the south Florida native as a two-star athlete...two-sport athlete (football and basketball).
Personal: Born Jan. 7, 1997.
Ladante Harris
Freshman, WR, 5-10
Sebring, FL (HS)
High School: Played for Lavaar Scott at Sebring High School...tallied 59 career receptions for 871 yards in 57 carries for 468 yards...added 542 punt return yards and 729 kick return yards...credited with 17 touchdowns and four interceptions...as he worked his way into the everyday line-up as a sophomore and junior, he saw time on the defensive and special team units, credited with a thrown a pass , received passes and running the ball...earned all-highlands football athlete of the week during his junior season (2013-14)...participant in the South-Central Florida All-Star Game...two-sport athlete (football and track)...holds a two-star rank by 247 Sports
Personal: Son of Linda Holmes...born Jan. 29, 1996 in Avon Park, Fla.
Tavaris Harrison
Freshman, WR, 6-3, 166
North Miami, FL (HS)
High School: Played for Ed Williams at North Miami High School which finished the season 9-2 and a perfect 5-0 in District play...tallied 43 receptions for 722 yards and 14 scores as a senior...his junior season he was credited with 44 receptions for 686 yards and six TDs...earned all-county honors and played in the NOC Nike North versus South all-star game...two-sport athlete (football and track and field)...three-star athlete as ranked by 247 Sports.
Personal: Son of Vanessa and Thomas Harrison...born May 16, 1996 in Miami...brother Glenn Holt played at the University of Kentucky and with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Richie Kittles, Jr
Freshman, S, 5-11, 175
Fort Lauderdale, FL (Stranahan)
High School: Played for Tally Adams at Stranahan High School...recorded 160 career tackles, three interceptions and 14 pass break-ups...added 2.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and one recovery...earned first team all-county, and was named to Broward County's Top 50 at No. 30...played in the Broward versus Dade All-Star Game...three-sport athlete (football, basketball and track....rated as a three-star recruit by 247 Sports and as a two-star athlete by ScoutRecruiting.com...
Personal: Son of Richie Kittles and Tonya Burris...born Dec. 28, 1996 in Dillard Park, Fla...cousin William Dukes was an all-conference receiver at FAU.
Steven Leggett
Freshman, DL, 6-2, 255
Belle Glade, FL (Glades Central)
High School: Played for Rick Casko at Glades Central High School which finished the year 9-3 and 2-0 in District play...recorded 106 tackles, including 33 tackles for a loss and eight sacks...earned all-state, all-county honors...named the Sun Sentinel Defensive Player of the Year and to the Palm Beach Post all-area team...played in the Florida versus Georgia and the F.A.C.A North versus South all-star games...listed as a two-star athlete by both 247 Sports and Scout Recruiting.com
Personal: Son of Betty and James Leggett...born Jan. 18, 1996 in Pahokee, Fla.
Ralph Leonard
Freshman, WR, 6-2, 182
Starkville, Miss (HS)
High School: Played for Jamie Mitchell at Starkville High School where he recorded 65 receptions for 1,200 yards and 15 scores...earned first team all-state and participated in the Mississippi versus Alabama All-Star Game...two-sport athlete (football and basketball).
Personal: Son of Lynn and Raphael Leonard...born May 26, 1997 in Starkville.
Shelton Lewis II
Freshman, CB, 6-0, 171
Orlando, FL (East River)
High School: Played for Doug Gabriel at East River High School where he recorded a school single-season record of 12 interceptions...also saw time on the offensive side of the ball...served as the team's defensive captain as a senior and was named the team MVP...earned first team All-American (central Florida) honors...played in the Central Florida All-Star game and the O&D All-American Bowl...ranked in the Sunshine Prep top-100 and ranked in the Super 60 (central Florida)...three-sport athlete (football, basketball and track)...member of the National Honor Society and earned 3.5 G.P.A. or above Award.
Personal: Son of Yolanda Trent-Lewis and Shelton L. Lewis...born April 17, 1997 in Orlando, Fla...comes from a family that has excelled at both the collegiate and NFL level...both his father and brother Xavier (LSU) played at the collegiate level...his uncles Tony Jones (Texas/Houston Oilers and Atlanta Falcons) and William Trent (Oklahoma/Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants) played in both college and in the NFL.
Herbert Miller
Freshman, DB, 6-1, 185
Miramar, FL (HS)
High School: Played for Damon Cogdell at Miramar High School which posted an 8-4 record and a No. 12 rank after a 5-1 District mark...tallied 31 tackles, two interceptions, seven pass break-ups and 13 tackle assists as a senior, including one touchdown...listed as a top-50 senior in Broward County...member of the A/B honor roll...participated in the All-American Game...rated as a three-star athlete by ScoutRecruiting.com...listed as the 27th best safety in the state and in the 68th best in the south region...earned two-star ranking by 247 Sports.
Personal: Son of Tarnesha Rachel...born Nov. 11, 1997 in Miami...lists relatives Arthur and Bryan Williams as Georgia State University football players.
Jaye Miner
Freshman, LB, 6-3, 190
Wesley Chapel, FL (Wiregrass Ranch)
High School: Played for Mike Lawrence at Wiregrass Ranch High School...as a senior recorded 262 tackles, 32 for a loss, including 7.5 sacks and a TD...had 15 hurries, nine defended passes, four fumble and two recoveries...offensively, recorded two receptions for a total of 28 yards and a score...prior to his final campaign, he tallied 184 tackles, including six sacks and two fumble recoveries...earned 57 tackles as a senior, playing in just seven games, averaged 8.1 per game...recorded 10 tackles for a loss...also saw action on the offensive side of the ball with 23 receptions and on special teams with 57 kick return yards...recognized twice as an All-Pasco County selection and twice as an All-Sunshine Conference member...invited to the Blue-Grey All-American game...member of the honor roll with a 3.6 G.P.A...three-sport athlete (football, baseball and track)...three-star athlete as rated by both 247 Sports and by ScoutRecruiting.com...listed as the 28th best safety in the state and 70th in the south region.
Personal: Son of Chandra and John Miner...born March 27, 1997 in Detroit.
J'Quan Napier
Freshman, ATH, 6-3, 170
Palm Beach Garden, FL (HS)
High School: Played for Rob Freeman at Palm Beach Gardens High School which finished the year at 6-6...tallied 27 catches for 724 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior...defensively had one interception...listed as a two-star athlete by both 247 Sports and ScoutRecruiting.com
Personal: Son of Karletta Tolton...born November 4, 1996 in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Daniel Parr
Freshman, QB, 6-3, 190
Jupiter, FL (Dwyer)
Joined the team in January
High School: Played for Jack Daniels at Dwyer High School where he guided the Panthers to a 7-4 record after leading Dwyer to a State title as a junior...threw for 1,976 yards and 28 scores in 2015...tallied 3,200 yards and 36 touchdowns as a junior and garnered the 7A Player of the Year Award...completed his collegiate career with 5,000 plus passing yards and 72 passing TDs while running for another 12 touchdowns...named the 2013 7A Player of the Year (FHSAA), the 2013 Palm Beach Post and Sun Sentinel Player of the Year and was a member of the 2014 7A All-State second team...played in the Blue/Grey All-American Game (Dallas, Texas)...three-star athlete as ranked by both 247 Sports and by ScoutRecruiting.com...earned a No. 8 rank by ScoutRecruiting.com and No. 15 in the south...nationally, listed at No. 64.
Personal: Son of Paul and Dottie Parr...born Aug. 24, 1996 in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Freshman, RB, 5-10, 185
Daytona Beach, FL (Mainland)
Joined the Owls in January 2015
High School: Played for Scott Wilson at Mainland High School where he tallied 2,552 yards (9.8 yards per carry) and 25 scores as a senior...tallied more than 8,000 yards during his high school career and found the end zone more than 60 times...earned first team All-State honors in 2014 and was the Daytona Beach News Journal Player of the Year...rated the No. 10 all-purpose back in the nation by rivals.com...participated in the Central Florida All-Star Game...was a member of the Mainland High School all-academic athletic team.
Personal: Son of Tammara Ford and Hector Rodriguez...born Dec. 7, 1995 in Daytona Beach, FL.
Ocie Rose
Freshman, DB, 6-0, 167
Miami, FL (Booker T. Washington)
High School: Played for Tim Harris, Jr. at Booker T. Washington High School which captured its third-consecutive Class 4A state title... as a junior recorded 50 tackles, including two sacks, and was credited with an interception...three-star athlete as ranked by both 247 Sports and ScoutRecruiting.com...ranked as the 27th best corner in Florida and No. 58 in the south Region by ScoutRecruiting.com
Personal: Son of Pamela Ezell born April 22, 1996.
Tarrick Thomas
Freshman, OL, 6-4, 270
Tallahassee, FL (Lincoln)
High School: Played for Yusuf Shakir at Lincoln High School which finished the season with a 7-3 mark...tallied 215 career pancake blocks...and allowed just eight career sacks...tallied 38 career prep starts...earned Max Prep sophomore All-American honors...was a two-time All Big Bend Team member, three-time member of the 7A team, a three-time Tallahassee Quarterback Club Player of the Week selection and a three-time Florida Team honoree....participated in the Offense-Defense All-American Game...three-sport athlete (football, track and field and weightlifting)...academically, named to the honor roll eight times...three-star athlete as ranked by both 247 Sports and ScoutRecruiting.com...listed as the 16th best offensive tackle in the state and No. 42 in the south Region.
Personal: Son of Nikia and Tarlos Thomas...born July 24, 1997 in Tallahassee...father Tarlos played at Florida State and was a undrafted free agent, primarily due to a knee injury that sidelined him his senior season...played a total of four NFL seasons combined between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Houston Texans.
Kerrith Whyte
Freshman, RB, 5-10, 185
Loxahatchee, FL (Seminole Ridge)
High School: Played for Scott Barnwell at Seminole Ridge High School which finished the 2014 campaign with a 5-5 mark...carried the ball 174 times as a senior for 1,303 yards and 28 touchdowns...added 485 receiving yards...earned first team all-conference, second team all-county and third team all-state...played in the Florida versus Georgia All-Star Game...two-star back by both 247 Sports and ScoutRecruiting.com...
Personal: Son of Kerrith and Marsha Whyte...born Oct. 31, 1996 in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Kal-El Williams
Freshman, FB, 5-11, 240
Largo, FL (Pinellas Park)
High School: Played for Kenneth Crawford at Pinellas Park Senior High School which finished the 2015 campaign with an 8-3 record and a 4-1 District mark...finished his two-year varsity career with 300 tackles, including 146 solo, an average of 8.1 tackles per game...recorded 16 sacks, forced three fumbles and recovered two...on the offensive side of the ball, he rushed for 1,217 all-purpose yards and a total of 18 scores...served as the team's captain as a senior...earned first team all-county, first team all-district and second team all-state...participated in the Pinellas County All-Star game and the NUC All-American game...three-sport athlete (football, basketball and track where he is a regional participant in the discus event)...member of the honor roll, the 5,000 Role Model and SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) organizations...three-star athlete by ScoutRecruiting.com...ranked as the state's No. 1 fullback...holds the same rank in the south Region and is listed No. 4 nationally, all by ScoutRecruiting.com and holds a two-star rank by 247 Sports
Personal: Son of Monique and James Statham...born Nov. 19, 1996 in Philadelphia, Penn...list two cousins as collegiate players (David Kenner-University of Florida and brother Taron Williams at Florida A&M).
Richard Williams
Freshman, OL, 6-2, 275
Miramar, FL (Everglades)
High School: Played for Art Taylor at Everglades High School where he recorded over 150 pancake blocks during his prep career...earned AP Class 8A second team All-State honors, first team all-count and was named to the Miami Herald first team...holds a 3.5+ G.P.A.
Personal: Son of Charviette Parramore...born Jan. 9, 1997 in Miami, Fla.
Jalen Young
Freshman, S, 5-11, 175
Loxahatchee, FL (Seminole Ridge)
High School: Played for Scott Barnwell at Seminole Ridge High School which finished the 2014 campaign with a 5-5 mark ...tallied 68 tackles, including three sacks...added 652 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns...had 383 passing yards with five passing touchdowns...also had one kick return and two interceptions...earned first team all-county and first team all-conference honors...third team member of the all-state team...three-sport athlete (football, basketball and track)...three-star athlete as ranked by both 247 Sports and ScoutRecruiting.com...listed as the 22nd best corner in the state and No. 51 nationally, by ScoutRecruiting.com...two-sport athlete (football and baseball)
Personal: Son of Charkata and Douglass Parris...born Nov. 28, 1996 in Wellington, Fla.