Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Singletary, Al-Shaair on watch lists
The Florida Atlantic football team is fully aware of the expectations this season.
On Monday, they grew even more so when running back Devin “Motor” Singletary and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair were named to the watch list for a pair of preseason honors. Singletary was among those to make the cut for the Maxwell Award, given to the nation’s best player. Al-Shaair is up for the Bednarik Award, which honors college football’s top defender.
Last year Singletary and Al-Shaair played large roles in the Owls’ finishing 11-3 and winning their first bowl game in 10 years. FAU ended the season on a 10-game winning streak, the second longest behind Central Florida.
A junior, Singletary ran for 1,920 yards and led the nation with 32 touchdowns. He became the first FAU player to be named an Associated Press All-American, earning third-team honors. Singletary, who was last year’s Conference USA Most Valuable Player, holds virtually every school rushing record and should pass the career yardage mark of 3,529 this season.
Last year Al-Shaair was fifth in the nation with 147 tackles. He has led the Owls in the category the last three seasons and is already the school’s career all-time leader. He returned for his senior season instead of testing the NFL draft waters.
Both players were limited during spring practices but are expected ready for the start of preseason camp. Singletary missed the spring game because of a hamstring issue while Al-Shaair was sidelined for the duration due to offseason shoulder surgery.
Semifinalists for the Maxwell and Bednarik awards will be announced Oct. 29, with three finalists being announced Nov. 19. The winners will be announced live on ESPN as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 6.