Local players strengthen Owls
FAU has 15 Palm Beach County alums on its roster.
BOCA RATON — Florida Atlantic may be emerging nationally under coach Lane Kiffin, but the football program is still built from its heavy foundation in Palm Beach County.
Since the program was founded by Howard Schnellenberger in 1998 and began play in 2001 as a Division I-AA program, the Owls have tried to mostly focus on signing and developing local players. FAU’s first Conference USA championship last year — and first winning season since 2008 — featured 14 players from Palm Beach County and 49 total from Palm Beach, Broward, and MiamiDade counties.
FAU will begin training camp Friday with 15 former Palm Beach County players on its active roster, including AP All-American running back Devin Singletary (American Heritage) and All-Conference USA safety Jalen Young (Seminole Ridge). That number could potentially grow when the team holds its annual walk-on tryouts, which often feature former county players making the team.
Dwyer and Seminole Ridge each have four former players on the roster this year. American Heritage is the only other
school with multiple alumni playing for FAU this season.
Let’s look at all 15 former Palm Beach County stars who are slated to wear an FAU uniform this fall.
Da’Von Brown, S, Jr. (Royal Palm Beach): Brown had three tackles and a forced fumble last year. Most of the junior’s action this season will likely come on special teams.
Dante Cousart, WR, R-Jr. (Dwyer): After joining the Owls as a walk-on from Assumption College (Mass.) in 2016, Cousart impressed this spring and will have an opportunity to climb the wide receiver depth chart this summer.
Daikwon Fuse, DT, R-Sr. (Dwyer): Fuse was a twoyear starter at Florida A&M but sat out 2016 in compliance with transfer rules and didn’t play last season. With how deep FAU’s defensive line is, playing time may be a challenge for Fuse in 2018.
Gerald Hearns, RB, R-Sr. (Dwyer): Like Cousart and Fuse, Hearns was a member of the 2013 Dywer team that won a state title. Hearns ran for 67 yards on 11 carries last season and, after a strong performance in spring camp, will compete with Seminole Ridge alumnus Kerrith Whyte for snaps at running back.
Dalton Hustad, DE/ LB, Fr. (Dwyer): Hustad joined the Owls as a preferred walk-on this year and may be looking at a potential redshirt season.
Deon Humphrey, OL, R-Fr. (American Heritage): A two-time All-State player with the Stallions, Humphrey redshirted last season and will give the Owls more depth in the trenches.
Jake Jones, OL, R-So. (Seminole Ridge): Jones redshirted two years ago and was mainly a scoutteam player last season. If the offensive line remains healthy and consistent, Jones may see little playing time.
Steven Leggett, DT, Sr. (Glades Central): A two-year starter, Leggett recorded 1.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss in FAU’s final five games last year. Leggett is a possible All-Conference USA pick.
Chauncey Mason, RB, Jr. (Boynton Beach): Previously with Arkansas State, Mason will redshirt this year after joining the team this summer.
Nicholas Screciu, OL, Fr. (Seminole Ridge): Like Hustad, Screciu signed with the Owls as a preferred walk-on. Screciu gives the Owls more depth on the offensive line and could grow into a contributor.
Devin
Singletary, RB, Jr. (American Heritage): Singletary led Division I with 32 rushing touchdowns — the third-highest single-season total — and ran for a program-record 1,920 yards.
Ray Wilson Jr., RB, Sr. (Palm Beach Central): Wilson has become an important member of FAU’s special teams, recording five tackles and forcing a fumble last season.
Kerrith Whyte, RB, R-Jr. (Seminole Ridge): Whyte has contributed on the ground (492 yards and three touchdowns on 98 carries) and on special teams (62 kickoff returns for 1,570 yards) the past two seasons.
Jalen Young, S, Sr. (Seminole Ridge): After only three seasons, Young might be the best defensive back in team history. Young enters ranked third in program history with 12 interceptions and eighth in tackles (246).
Teja Young, DB, Fr. (Palm Beach Lakes): As a senior last season, Teja recorded five passing touchdowns, 10 rushing touchdowns, six pass breakups and 15 solo tackles for the Rams.