‘Sporting News’ list

Junior expected to shatter school’s career-yards mark

FAU’s Singletary named No. 5 running back in U.S.

BOCA RATON — Florida Atlantic running back Devin “Motor” Singletary tends to shy away from attention because of his quiet demeanor.

These days, he doesn’t have to say much about himself because others are doing the talking for him. Singletary continued the Owls’ list of preseason accolades when he was ranked the nation’s No. 5 running back by SportingNews.com.

The website, which released the rankings Wednesday, wrote: “Singletary ripped off 12 consecutive games of at least 100 yards and one touchdown in 2017 — and if history is anything to go by, Lane Kiffin will continue feeding him the ball (a la Amari Cooper in 2014 and Derrick Henry in 2015). So don’t be surprised if Singletary outdoes himself again.”

The only runners on the list

ahead of Singletary were No. 1 Bryce Love (Stanford), Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin), Myles Gaskin (Washington) and J.K. Dobbins (Ohio State). A junior, Singletary was the highest rated among Group of Five conference players.

Last year Singletary ran for a school-record 1,920 yards and led the nation with 32 touchdowns, helping lead the Owls to an 11-3 record and a victory against Akron in the Boca Raton Bowl. He was also named third-team AllAmerican by the Associated Press, becoming the first player in school history to earn the honor.

Singletary, who played at American Heritage-Delray, essentially holds every FAU rushing mark. He is No. 3 all time with 2,939 career yards, but should surpass Owls great Alfred Morris (3,529) at some point this season.

The Owls open the season Sept. 1 at Oklahoma.

JIM RASSOL/STAFF FILE PHOTO Last year, Owls running back Devin Singletary ran for a school-record 1,920 yards and led the nation with 32 touchdowns.