FAU 2014 Spring Football Wrap Up

Strengths & question marks coming out of spring

FAU’s strength rests in its secondary and offensive skill positions. The Owls return one of the nation’s best shut-down cornerbacks in D’Joun Smith and standout strong safety Damian Parms, who could work his way into the NFL Draft conversation with a strong 2014 season. 

Offensively, FAU has two ready-to-play quarterbacks in Greg Hankerson and reigning Conference USA newcomer of the year Jaquez Johnson. Jay Warren, who worked his way into FAU’s starting lineup as a freshman last season, returns as the team’s top feature back. He’ll be backed up by at least four capable players — two who saw time last year, and two highly regarded freshmen. 

William Dukes, Jenson Stoshak, Lucky Whitehead and DJ Juste give FAU four of the better wide receivers the conference. Whitehead and Juste might be the two fastest players on FAU’s speed-laden squad. 

Name a few breakout players to keep an eye on in 2014

Quarterback Greg Hankerson started a game last season and saw some playing time early on. This year, he has a chance to win FAU’s starting quarterback job outright, and if he does so, he could light C-USA on fire with his dual-threat abilities.

Other players to keep an eye on are wide receiver Derek Moise, who pushed the FAU starters in spring practices; Juste — who was used as a quarterback, running back, safety and cornerback last season — should take to wide receiver well, if spring practices were any indication; and Reggie Bain, a freshman who might have won the starting left tackle job in the spring. 

Grade each position group

All grades are C-USA-relative

QB: A (FAU has not one, but two starting quarterbacks.)

RB: A (Jay Warren is poised to be FAU’s workhorse, and a steady stable of improving backups and a stellar group of freshmen should only bolster the run-game.)

WR: B (William Dukes will draw plenty of attention. The real standouts are the slot receivers, who could see the end zone frequently in 2014.)

OL: C- (Last year, an injury-rattled offensive line stood strong. This year, FAU might have four first-time starters at their respective positions.)

DL: C (Brandin Bryant is arguably the best defensive tackle in Conference USA. Trey Hendrickson will get a fair deal of sacks. Trevon Coley has blossomed into a two-gap player. After that, FAU has serious problems.)

LB: C (Andrae Kirk returns as FAU’s middle linebacker. Robert Relf and Freedom Whitfield need to prove they can be every-down players. There are no viable replacements behind them.)

DB: A- (D’Joun Smith is as good as it gets, at any level, at cornerback. Damian Parms could say the same thing. Cre’von LeBlanc should see plenty of interceptions playing opposite Smith, and Christian Milstead is a steady and more-than-capable performer.)

ST: Sean Kelly is as good a punter as there is at a mid-major school. Landon Scheer is the nation’s top-ranked kicker. 

What can we expect from FAU in 2014?

If FAU’s offensive line can come together, the Owls could give Nebraska a run in Week One. In all, eight wins is not out of realm of possibility for the 2014 season.

Dieter Kurtenbach of the Sun Sentinel provided the information for our FAU 2014 Football Spring Wrap Up. For more FAU football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow Dieter on Twitter @dkurtenbach,