Owls hoping to keep local talent at home
Change of heart paid off for team and running back Devin Singletary.
BOCA RATON — For any Florida Atlantic fans concerned about how Lane Kiffin’s second signing day will go, one thing should ease your nerves.
In recent years, when signing day finally arrived, the Owls have had success convincing some of their main targets — some of whom have become the team’s top players — to flip at the last minute.
For proof, look no further than running back Devin Singletary, who two years ago this month was all set to sign with Illinois. Singletary, then a two-star prospect by Rivals, was set to go to a Power Five program led by former Bears and Bucs coach Lovie Smith … until he flipped to FAU and then-Owls coach Charlie Partridge on signing day.
“It feels great to stay home,” Singletary told The
Post after making his choice. “Why not? Why changemy climate? I’ve been playing in this my whole life.”
Staying in his “climate” has paid off for Singletary, who after just two seasons is FAU’s all- time leader in rushing touchdowns with 44. This past season, Singletary also was named the first All- American and first Conference USA MVP in school history.
FAU landed another key, Power Five- bound prospect via a signing- day flip in that same recruiting class, when Homestead line backer and three- star recruit Rashad Smith — all set to sign with Syracuse and then- new coach Dino Babers — decided to stay in the Sunshine State by signing with the Owls. Smith previously had flipped from FAU to Syracuse the previous month before changing his mind on signing day. One of only two freshmen to start a game on defense in 2016, Smith led the Owls with six sacks this past season and enters next month’s spring camp fully entrenched as one of two starting line backers along side Azeez Al- Shaair.
The flips weren’t limited to Partridge’s classes, though, as three- star wide receiver Willie Wright — originally headed for Memphis— signed with FAU last year. Wright became the first true freshman in FAU history to lead the team in catches ( 56), receiving yards ( 657) and receiving touchdowns ( six).
FAU’s 2018 recruiting class will continue to take shape before Wednesday’s national signing day, and some of the more productive freshmen could choose to play under Kiffin.
And if those players do flip, expect them to do so with a sentiment similar to what Singletary expressed two years ago.
“I know we’re going to be able to do a lot of great things,” Singletary said. “This program is defifinitely about to explode very soon.”