Raine to return for ’20 campaign

Tight end granted year of eligibility from 2016 waiver

BOCA RATON — Florida Atlantic tight end John Raine will return to the Owls for the 2020 season after receiving a medical redshirt for his freshman season in 2016.

“Freshman year, I played in four games and then that fourth game I played in, I broke my ankle and I missed the rest of the year,” Raine said. “I went and tried to get a year of medical eligibility back and it was approved by the NCAA.”

FAU’s website says Raine saw action in the Owls’ second and third game of the 2016 season against Miami and Kansas State.

He recorded his first collegiate catch against Ball State in FAU’s fourth game of the season and had a 20-yard reception in the team’s fifth game of the year against FIU before missing the remainder of the season.

“We put in a waiver, and they said yes,” FAU coach Lane Kiffin said. “So I’m

not arguing with it.”

The Miami native found out he would be eligible to play in the 2020 season last week. He said it took about two to three weeks for the waiver to be approved.

“I’m super excited about it,” Raine said. “I love being here, and I love playing football. I want to be here as long as I can honestly.”

Raine has recorded career-highs of 29 receptions, 239 receiving yards and a team-high five touchdowns through 10 games this season. He and senior tight end Harrison Bryant, who recently accepted his Senior Bowl invitation, are one of the most productive pair of tight ends in the nation.

Bryant has recorded 48 receptions for 708 yards with two touchdowns through 10 games this year. Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller ranked Bryant as the 10th best tight end in his big board last month while ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. placed him at eight.

Raine had a strong start to the season, having 19 receptions for 130 yards and three touchdowns through the first four games.

His production has taken a dip as Bryant’s has increased. Bryant has recorded 33 receptions, 402 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the past six games.

Raine joked that Bryant has taken his touchdowns the past few games, before attributing the ebbs-andflows of their production to the coach’s play selection.

“It’s just the play calls and how it’s worked,” Raine said. “Nothing’s really changed at all.”

Raine will be the unquestioned top tight end next season, with Bryant graduating and likely heading to the NFL. No other FAU tight end has recorded a reception this season outside of Bryant and Raine.

“He can come back and be the guy next year,” Kiffin said.