McNeal likes pro-style offense

The differ

BOCA RATON — ence between DeAndre McNeal’s first day at fall camp last year and his first day this year are clear.

“I wasn’t here (last year),” McNeal said.

McNeal was at Florida Atlantic when training camp began last summer, just not on the field. As the former Texas Longhorn waited for his grades to transfer from Fullerton Community College (Calif.), McNeal sat in the football offices with the playbook, studying schemes and how he’d fit into the offense.

At least for the first month, McNeal proved to be a good fit. A four-star recruit coming out of high school, McNeal had 18 catches for 298 yards

and two touchdowns through the Owls’ first four games, scoring in losses to Navy and Wisconsin. Changes to the starting quarterback — former Dwyer star Daniel Parr was suddenly replaced by Jason Driskel after the Owls’ 45-0 win over Bethune-Cookman on Sept. 16 — and the wide receiver depth chart, however, left McNeal with only two catches once the calendar hit October.

While McNeal has avoided making excuses for his dropoff last season, he acknowledged that he spent the summer working on staying “engaged” and keeping a clear mind.

“That was really my biggest problem last year,” McNeal said. “... Being mentally focused and what not ... definitely, that’ll be the most important thing is making sure I know what I’m supposed to do at all times I’m on the field.”

McNeal ended his junior season with 23 catches for 317 yards and two scores, enough to rank among the top five players for each category. Despite battling early injuries in the spring, McNeal impressed in the final weeks of camp by showing the dynamic play-making ability that once earned him offers from Alabama, Auburn and Ohio State.

McNeal is still adjusting to a new offense. Previous offensive coordinator Kendal Briles and his spread offense have been replaced by Charlie Weis Jr., who at 25 is only four years older

than McNeal.

“I’ve been told, even (tight ends coach) Clint Trickett told me, ‘Hey, this is an offense for you,’” McNeal said. “It’s a pro-style offense and if I’m able to make it to the next level, this is a similar offense to what I’ll be running. It’s best that I get it done here, now in college.”

McNeal and star sophomore Willie Wright are returners to a group that now includes former West Virginia wideout Jovon Durante

and junior college transfer DeSean Holmes. All can certainly contribute, as can redshirt sophomore John Mitchell and walk-on Dante Cousart (Dwyer), but the prostyle offense appears to be especially ideal for McNeal.

“We can be very sensational in the passing game, not even just as a wide receiver unit,” McNeal said.

That group has changed, with Kalib Woods (25.8 yards per catch on 24 receptions) and veteran Kamrin Solomon (33 catches for 388 yards and a TD) having graduated.

The situation and makeup of the unit have changed, though the group’s outlook certainly hasn’t. Not with the

enthusiastic McNeal catching passes and working his way back into a starting job.

“The standard doesn’t change here at all,” McNeal

said. “Everything is ... fast, fast, fast. The quicker we play, the more stuff we can get done.”