Football Receives Preseason Accolades

2008 Owls are the Most Decorated FAU Preseason Team to Date

June 11, 2008

BOCA RATON, FL - Florida Atlantic University's football team has been earning unprecedented recognition this summer in recent football publications.

"Phil Steele's College Football Preview" listed seven Owls as its preseason first team. FAU quarterback Rusty Smith, the 2007 Sun Belt Player of the Year, led the way on offense with wide receiver Cortez Gent and tight end Jason Harmon also earning first team honors. Senior offensive lineman John Rizzo was honored on the second team list, and senior running back Charles Pierre made third team. Chris Bonner, Nick Paris and David Matlock rounded out the offensive side of the ball, with honorable mention honors at receiver and offensive lineman respectively.

The defensive unit was led by senior linebacker Frantz Joseph, the Sun Belt Conference 2007 tackles leader. Cornerbacks Tavious Polo and Corey Small also made the first team. Small will provide senior leadership to the young defensive backs, while Polo is coming off a Freshman All-American season. Senior linebacker Andre Clark earned third team honors, while defensive linemen Robert St. Clair and Jermaine Council were recognized on the Honorable Mention team.

Senior running back DiIvory Edgecomb had an outstanding 2007 season as a kick returner and will return as a preseason first team selection. Warley Leroy earned second team honors as a kicker.

The 16 honors shows a balanced team with three offensive linemen, two receivers, two running backs, two defensive linemen, two linebackers and two defensive backs earning honors. NewEraScouting.com produced similar listings. As a team, the Owls are projected to take top honors. Smith, Gent and Harmon earned first team honors, as did Rizzo and Matlock. Second team honors were claimed by Pierre. Defensively, Joseph, Polo and Small earned first team honors, along with senior Jervonte Jackson. St. Clair was a member of the second team.

NewEraScouting.com featured Smith as the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year and incoming freshman running back Xavier Stinson as the Freshman of the Year. Their top-10 Senior NFL Draft Prospects included Joseph, Small and Jackson. The top-5 Junior NFL Draft Prospects were Polo, Smith and Gent.

Top Conference Games of the year were listed as follows: Troy University at FAU (October 7); University of North Texas at FAU (November 8); and FAU at Middle Tennessee State University (September 30). FAU's game at the University of Texas at Austin was listed as the No. 3 non-conference game.

NewEraScouting.com also ranked the top-three teams by position. FAU's receivers, overall offense, defensive line and overall defense came in at No. 1 among league teams. The backfield and linebackers were ranked No. 2, while the offensive line and special teams were listed as third.

"Blue Ribbon Magazine" tabbed Smith and Frantz Joseph as preseason Sun Belt Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year. The magazine names first team members only. Offensively, Smith, Gent, Rizzo and Harmon made the list. Defensively, Joseph, Jackson, Polo and Small made the list.

The Owls will open its 2008 season on Saturday, August 30 in Austin, Texas where FAU will face the University of Texas. On September 6, FAU will open its home schedule playing host to University of Alabama at Birmingham.