Lester Jean started as a true freshman, struggling at time, but really started to make an impact toward the end of last season. Break out games against FIU & the Bowl game against Memphis gave Owl fans a look at the potential of what the future will look like, as a play maker.
Heading into the '08 season what were some of your goals?
My only goal was to be a productive team player.
What were some of the things you felt you had to improve on in the
off-season?
I needed to improve on my route running and catching the ball more
consistently.
What are the biggest influences in your life that help define who you are as a person and football player?
Definitely what I went through growing up my father and Young Jeezy "Thug
Motivation 101".
You are part of a talented receiving corp. What does Lester Jean need to do
to help establish himself as a receiver?
I need to learn from the older guys, take what I can and keep working hard.
With the success of last year, it raised the level of expectations coming
into '08 especially with a veteran team returning, has those expectations
put any additional pressure on the players this year?
Not really, with success comes a lot of things. We just need to play hard.
Play like we know how to play and everything will work out for the best.
Big conference game coming up against the Blue Raiders and with the recent struggles on offense the last two games, what adjustments needs to be made to regain the production level expected from a group of talented receivers?
Focus a little bit more in practice. Study a little bit harder.
And what does the offense need to do to get its swagger back?
Make a couple deep plays and make a couple of explosive plays.
What are some of the key elements for the offense to have success against
Middle Tennessee?
We have to establish the run. Protect the pass. Get a couple of quick
screens and go deep on blitzes.
Away from football, what are some of your hobbies?
With a family depending on him at home, it help change Andre Clark outlook on life, giving him a more define purpose on and off the field. The level of maturity has given him a much stronger presence on the field, adding to the development of a strong linebacking corp that has become the strength of the Owls defense.
Heading into the '08 season what are some of your goals?
First of all, my goal is to get drafted in the NFL. And
my second goal is to be one of the best linebackers in the nation and an
All-American.
What were some of things you felt you had to improve on
in the off-season?
The main thing that I had to improve on was my weight
because I feel I wasn't taking it all that seriously. This year I got to my
ideal weight that I feel I have to be at to be explosive and powerful on the
field.
You have become a strong presence on the field, what do
you attribute the success you've had on the field?
I attribute it to my dedication of the film room and
studying the game. Because I never really dedicated myself throughout my career
as I have in the past two years. So that's an accumulation of the past two
years of me taking it seriously and being a student of the game.
What was the determining factor that helped Andre Clark
realize he had to reach a higher level of maturity?And how has the personal growth help you
become a better player on the field?
I have a family I have to go home to every night and look
in their face and be a serious man, so that's the biggest part of what forced
me to go from a boy to a man was my situation at home with my wife and kids.
You can't lie to them, and through them, they made me realize that I was a man.
With the success of last year, it raised the level of
expectations coming into '08 especially with a veteran team returning, has
those expectations put any additional pressure on the players this year?
I wouldn't say that it put additional pressure but it did
make us ease up a little bit in the beginning of the season. Because this is
the first time that we've had high expectations out here and I think guys
expected things to happen after we did all the hard work in the past, that they
didn't expect it to be that difficult.
Big conference game coming up against the Blue Raiders,
and with some of the early struggles this season, does the defense feel like
they need to make a statement in this game?
We feel like we absolutely have to stop them on first and
third down. And we have to execute mentally, because that's been our big
downfall in the first four games. If we can up our mental execution, than we
feel we can play with anybody.
What are some of the key elements for the defense to have
success against Middle Tennessee?
I think the linebackers have to set the tone, If the
linebackers set the tone their will be a trickle-down effect, everyone will be
affected by the play of the linebackers.
Majoring in Interdisciplinary studies/art and humanities,
what are your plans after football at FAU?
Right now I have no idea, but I am going to go to the
Career Center to make my resume and get caught up on that aspect of my life.
Away from football what are some of your hobbies?
I spend time with my family, but mainly I just think
about football.
As a walk-on, John Rizzo earned his way into the starting line-up as a true freshman earning him a non-scholarship MVP award in '05.
Rizzo has taken advantage of his opportunity, becoming an anchor on a line that gives protection for Rusty Smith and opening running lane for the tandem of Dilvory Edgecomb and CharlesPierre.
Heading into the '08
season what were some of your goals?
Repeat in the conference and staying mentally focused.
You have become
another success story at FAU, a walk-on earning his way to playing time, what
are the biggest influences that has helped you get to the position you are now?
Family has helped me a lot. They gave me the confidence to
try and walk onto the team and perform every week. They help me stay confident.
You have become a
staple on a line that has been together for three years now, how difficult has
it been with some of the recent injuries to keep the stability and continuity
going?
It really hasn't been that hard. We are together a lot and
we all know each other really well. We hang out all the time. We knew that when
Nick went down that it would be tough, but we had Lavoris (Williams) step up
and we knew he would be ready to play. He has been here for at least three
years, just like everyone else.
The line has become a
solid group that has provided great protection for Rusty Smith. It must be
something you and your linemen take great pride in?
Of course, when you don't give up a sack in three games, you
have to hold your head up for something. That is pretty much the only thing we
get, showing how we protect Rusty (Smith) and how Charles (Pierre), Willie
(William Rose) and (DiIvory) Edgecomb run the ball.
The play of the
offensive line is the driving force of any offense, what has been the
determining factor for the stability, the line seems to have?
We all have a real bond with each other.
What is it like
playing for the team leader, Rusty Smith?
It's fun. We all feel like we are good friends and Rusty
(Smith) is in there with us. We don't look at it like Rusty is the leader. We
look at it like he is a really good friend.
With the tough
conditions last Saturday against Michigan State, what can the line take away
from that experience to help them battle through the rest of the season?
We played very well. It was just bad conditions. We are
confident. We have been working a little bit harder this week.
Having beaten
Minnesota at home last year, for the Owls first win over a BCS team, how does
that help you and the team prepare for the upcoming re-match on Saturday?
We aren't thinking about last year. Last year was last year.
This week we have to come in and play our game whatever happens...happens.
What are your plans
after playing football at FAU?
Not really sure.
What are some of your
hobbies outside of FAU?
Cards, poker, hanging out, video games and all that good
stuff.
Frantz Joseph might have taking a bit of a detour before coming to FAU, but the linebacker has done nothing but flourish while playing for the Owls. He's a hard hitting tackling machine who leads by example.
Q:What are some of your goals for the '08 season?
No. 1 is to win overall as a team.
No. 2 as a defense, I want to execute my assignments.
No. 3 Finish the season strong and have the best possible outcome that we can.
Q:Family brought you to FAU after spending your freshman season at Boston College,how has being closer to your family help you become the player you are now?
Off the field, I think you have to realize the situation and fight through adversity. Overcoming a lot and you carry that on the field knowing that there are times when things are good and there are times when things are hard. It has helped me in knowing how to fight through adversity.
Q:What are the biggest influences in your live that help define who you are as a person & football player?
My mother is a very strong woman. Being a single mom raising five kids, I hope to pick up on all of her character, her traits and the things she has done so well.
Q:Coming off a great game against UAB, 6 solo tackles, 10 assisted, you have become quite the ball hawk and known to deliver the big hits, what do you attribute the successes you have had on the field?
I wouldn't call the first two games a success in my book. I guess 16 tackles, but I'm shooting for a win and a better contribution from the defense.
Q: You are one of the veterans on a unit that is surrounded by youth, what can a Frantz Joseph to do help the younger guys on the defensive unit become better players?
I definitely try to lead by example. You can't just talk you have to show them.
Q: Does playing a team like Texas help you and your teammate prepare differently for a team like Michigan State?
Texas was a great team and so is Michigan State. It isn't a matter of playing Texas, UAB or Michigan State. It is a matter of coming to work every day, practice every week and putting it down.
Q: The defense has yet to play to it's potential this season, with so much talent on the defensive unit, what one element do you feel is missing, to getting the unit playing at it's full potential?
It has been a lack of execution and communication. Maybe chemistry with young players playing for those banged up. We had a veteran squad last year we need to work on our chemistry.
Q: You are listed as a Marketing & Business management major, what are your plans after playing football at FAU?
I have a lot of plans, but I can't worry about that. I need to finish out the season and stay focused.
Q: What are some of you hobbies outside of football?
Charles Pierre is part of a solid duo in the backfield for the Owls and broke out with some career numbers against Alabama-Birmingham, including a career long 73 yard TD run to help seal a victory against the Blazers. He seems to be be running with power and more determination this season, setting his eyes on a repeat trip to New Orleans.
What are some of your
goals for the '08 season?
My goals are to get back to a bowl game.
After a career type
of day against UAB, 139 Yards on 13 carries 2TDs, what do you take away from
that performance and prepare for the game against Michigan State?
We will take away the knowledge that we had success in both
the run and the passing game and hope to do the same thing against Michigan
State.
You had a career long
73 yards TD run against UAB, how does it feel to finally have a huge run like
that?
It felt good. I felt like all the hard work is paying off.
The line did a good job blocking and the receivers did a nice job blocking down
field opening things up.
What are the biggest
influences in your live that help define who you are as a person & football
player?
My family in general, everything I do is for them. Whether
it is playing football or in school all my goals are focused on my family and
for them to be proud of me. I want to create a better situation.
Does playing a team
like Texas help you prepared any differently, for a team like Michigan State?
It gives you a measuring stick on what teams are going to be
like in out of conference play. Texas is going to be the best team we play this
year and now we know we can go out and compete with those guys or any body.
You seem to be
running with much more purpose this year, what did you do in the off-season to
help you prepare for the '08 season?
As time goes on, you have a sense of more urgency. You want
to go out and give it all you have because this is my last year. I want to go
all out.
You and Dilvory
Edgecomb have become a very dependable tandem in the backfield, how has
that help you develop as a back?
It helps us both. We go out and compete and it is
competition. We both know we are going to play and it depends on style. We both
want to help the team.
What are your plans
after playing football at FAU?
After football is all said and done, I plan to go to law
school.
What are some of you
hobbies outside of football?
Working on cars and spending time with the family relaxing.
With Jason Harmon on the side line with an injury, a battled ensued with teammate Rob Housler in the off-season for the starting Tight End position. Jamari Grant earn the starting position with his consistent and improved play and made the most of his first opportunity in the season opener, against Texas. He figures to be an important part of this years offensive scheme and it's success.
Q. What are some of the things you felt you had to
work-on in the off-season?
The main thing was route running, posture, run-blocking and catching the
ball better. Those are some of the points I really stressed during workouts and
they are the reason I stayed [in Boca] the entire summer. It was a big
commitment to the team. I watch myself during one-on-ones and I see some of the
things I did last year and have become more physical in the running game.
Q. What are some of your goals for the
'08 season?
Win. Win every battle and every game. Anything after that is extra. Sun Belt
Champions again and get to New Orleans.
Q. In high
school, you were a two-sport athlete, playing both football and
basketball, where you served as a captain on a team that went 8-3, ranked no. 2
in the state. What made you decide on football as opposed to basketball?
I always had height but it was always something to do [basketball] until
football season. I quit playing basketball in sixth grade, but my mom asked me
'would you please go out for the team?' I did it to please her. I didn't think
that I was going to make the team. I made it and continued because it helped me
to stay in shape. But football was always my first love. Football is more
competitive and I love competition every day.
Q. What has been the biggest transition
from being a WR in HS to a college TE?
When I first got to college, I was disappointed because all I knew and all I
had ever played was receiver. But then in camp, I discovered that the tight
ends here catch a lot. They are a center of the offense. I was here and this is
what they wanted me to do and I wanted to win, so I played tight end. I love it
now. I'm glad. If they asked me to go back to receiver I would turn them down.
I love playing tight end.
Q. Growing up what situations help you
become the person and competitor you have become?
Family.My siblings call me just to
see how I'm doing. They are so proud of me. I'm the first from my family to go
to college and I'm on a full scholarship. I grew up struggling, so for my
brothers and sisters to look up to me touches my heart. They don't ask for
things. They just ask how I'm doing and they continue to push me - especially my
sister. They make sure I'm doing my thing and keeping my head on straight and
that I stay focused.
Q. You seem to have become a favorite
target of Rusty Smith. Why do you think that is?
Favorite target?I would guess that
Rusty gets the ball to the play makers. If I'm the play maker in that game, he
will get me the ball. If the play maker is Cortez Gent,
Lester Jean, Chris Bonner, it doesn't matter he will get them the ball. I don't
think he has a favorite. He gets the ball to whoever is open and whoever can
make the play. I feel he has confidence in me and he will reward me by throwing
me the ball. I have to reward him by catching it.
Q. Coming off a good game against Texas, with four catches for 93 yards, and the longest
reception of 62 yards, what do you take away from your performance against a
team like Texas?
Continue to work hard. That game was a great game for me, but as a team we
made mistakes and Texas
capitalized on our mistakes. One thing I would take from the game is to never
give up. Give it your all. If it isn't enough there is something wrong.
Q. Next game is the home opener against
UAB, how does it feel playing in front of your own fans as opposed to 90,000+
scramming fans wanting nothing better than to see you fail?
Our fans aren't as big as the University
of Texas, but they are
our fans and they support us. As long as you have support at home it is great.
It doesn't matter what anybody else things. Playing in front of our home crowd
is great. I love playing at home.
Q. You are listed as a communication
major. What are your plans after football at FAU?
I used to want to be a sports analysis. I think I would like to do it for
all sports, but if I have to be an expert it would be about football. Steve A.
Smith. I love him and Lee Corso from the
game-day-crew. Steven is funny and he always gives a point of view from the
player not just an analysis.
Career Receiving Statistics Year Games No. Yards TD's Long 2006 6 12 135 1 19 2007 11 16 127 0 20 2008 1 4 93 0 62
Corey Small has made the best of his opportunities on the field, recording a team-leading four interception in 2006, three coming against Arkansas State. Improving on that number in 2007, with five interceptions.
He is a players that plays much bigger then his size and will deliver the big hits every chance he gets.
Q: Heading into the '08 season what were some of your goals?
A:As a team, the goal was to win a bowl game again. Individually, I wanted to
earn an invitation to the NFL Combine.
Q: What were some things you felt you
had to improve on in the off-season?
A: Man-to-man coverage was the main thing I tried to work on as well as my
footwork.
Q. You have become a strong presence on
the field. What do you attribute the success you've had on the field ?
A:Hard work, not taking anything for granted and staying humble.
Q. Being on the small side in terms of
size, how do you approach the game, considering you have to cover much taller
receivers?
A: Basically, I just try to figure out what their weaknesses are. Even though
they are big, every person has a weakness. You just try to figure out what it
is.
Q. Do you consider your size a challenge
every time you step on the field?
A: I guess you could say that. I feel it's a challenge especially being a
smaller defensive back. That is probably something they always say about taller
receivers.
Q. In the opener against Texas, you had
four solo tackles and five total tackles. What do you take away from your
performance against a team like the Longhorns?
A: When you are playing a team like Texas,
you have to know what you are doing. They out executed us. We had too many
mental errors.
Q. What can you and your teammates take
away from the UT game to help you prepare for the next game?
A: In terms of preparation, we have to make sure that we know exactly what we
are doing.
Q. Is there a sense of relief after
playing Texas
from all the pregame hype?
A:Not really. I really didn't see too much [hype]. I think we went into the
game like it was just a game. It wasn't anything, record wise, which was going
to hurt our record.
Q. What does the defense need to improve
on heading into the home opener against UAB?
A:Tackle and cut down on errors that we made.
Q. Next game is the home opener against
UAB. How does it feel playing in front of your own fans as oppose to 90,000+
scramming fans wanting nothing better than to see you fail?
A:It's a big relief to be playing at home with the crowd on your side and with
your family there. I'm excited about the game. I hope we do better and win.
Q. You've talked about learning the
importance of having a good work ethic, values and strong communication skills
from your father. How has that helped you out on the field and to becoming the
player you are now?
A:I guess the knowledge that I need to continue to work hard no matter the
success I achieve. I can always do better.
Q. Now that you have graduated with a
major in English, what are your hopes after football at FAU?
A:Hopefully football at the next level. If not, I don't know what avenue I
will take.
Q. What are some of your hobbies outside
of football?
Big conference game coming up against the Blue Raiders and with the recent struggles on offense the last two games, what adjustments needs to be made to regain the production level expected from a group of talented receivers?
