14 days until FAU Football kicks off!

Some former Owls who wore #14: Garrett Jahn, and Graham Wilbert.

Jahn was a QB from Tallahassee (Tallahassee Leon HS). Named first team all-state in HS. In 2000, worked with team during the year we did not play a game. Went into Spring number 1 on the depth chart. In the inaugural year on 2001, won a coin toss against Jared Allen to become the first starting QB in history. Played in 8 games, starting two. Missed the final game of the season due to injury.  In 2002, played in 6 games despite knowing his rotator surgery did not completely fix his shoulder injury. Finished with 3 TDs. Had his first rushing TD against Eastern Illinois.

Wilbert was a QB from Valencia, CA (Valencia HS). As a senior in HS, passed for 2905 yards and 26 TDs. Redshirted in 2008. Traveled with the team for the Motor City Bowl. In 2009, worked with the team but did not see game action. In 2010, saw his first collegiate action in the 4th quarter of FAU's "home game" at Ford Field against Michigan State. Suffered a broken thumb on his throwing hand against USF. In 2011, started every game except the Stadium opener, due to the injured thumb. Tossed his first collegiate TD at Auburn. Earned a share of the game ball in the only win against UAB. In 2012, Served as the team's game day captain and earned player of the week twice. Threw 18 TD passes. Best passing game came against FIU with 403 yards passing. Won the team's Endurance award for his work in the classroom, on the field, in the weight room, and for his citizenship.

Jahn on the field (L), and Wilbert in for a visit (R).

13 days until FAU Football kicks off!

Some former Owls who wore #13: Treon Howard, and Josh Orsino.

Howard was a Defensive Back from Fort Meade, FL (Fort Meade HS). Named to All-County team in HS. redshirted in 2009. In 2010, played in 11 games and started the final game of the season. Play both DB and special teams. Ended with 17 tackles on the season.

Orsino was a Safety from Fort Lauderdale (Westminster Academy). Was a receiver in HS, and holds the single-season Broward County record for receptions (85). Redshirted in 2012. In 2013, played in 9 games. Transitioned from receiver to DB. Recorded 16 tackles on the season and had 2 pass break ups at Auburn.

Howard (L), and Orsino (R).

12 days until FAU Football kicks off!
 
Some former Owls who wore #12: Jared Allen, and Jeff VanCamp.
 
Allen was a QB from Edmund, OK (Edmund Santa Fe HS). Named 1999 all-state in Oklahoma. As the story goes, Allen was supposed to go to Oklahoma to become the Sooners QB. During the recruiting process Oklahoma ended up going with another QB. Allen’s father knew of Howard because of his time at Oklahoma and knew he was starting a new program at FAU. Allen’s father contacted Howard and Howard offered him immediately. one of 3 QBs in the initial class of 2000, the year we did not play any games. In 2001, the inaugural season, Allen was neck and neck with Garrett Jahn to become the first FAU starting QB in history. Allen lost a coin toss for the first game against Slippery Rock, but took over after halftime, and played in every game the rest of the season. His first start came in the program’s 2^nd game, a victory over #22 Bethune Cookman. Was named the team’s MVP in the inaugural season. In 2002, completed 50.8 percent of his passes. Named  the first ever Shula Bowl MVP. Named the team’s Offensive MVP. In 2003, started every game and led the team to a 11-3 record and a berth in the NCAA div 1-AA semi-final game. Led the team to its first victory over a D1-A team (MTSU). Threw for a career high 352 yards against UCF. Named first team D1-AA independent All star. Named the team’s Co-MVP.
 
VanCamp was a QB from Gulf Breeze, FL (Navarre HS). Led his HS basketball team in points, rebounds, and blocks. Redshirted in 2006. In 2007, played in 3 games backing up Rusty Smith. Traveled with the team to the New Orleans Bowl. In 2008, played in 4 games and traveled with the team to the Motor City Bowl. I don’t have his stats for 2009.
 
Allen (L) in for a visit, and VanCamp (R) on the field.

11 days until @FAU_football kicks off!
 
Some former Owls who wore #11: Rusty Smith, and David Hinds.
 
Smith was a QB from Jacksonville (Sandalwood HS). In senior year of HS, had 176 pass attempts with just 3 interceptions, and 21 TDs. Redshirted in 2005. In 2006, started his first game as a RS freshman at Clemson. Best game was against Troy when he completed 24 passes for 312 yards and 2 TDs. In 2007, recorded 463 yards passing in the victory over Minnesota, with 5 TDs, and earned the game ball. Tossed 5 Tds in the team’s first ever Bowl game in New Orleans. Named SBC player of the year, and New Orleans Bowl MVP. In 2008, was the preseason SBC player of the year. Named FAU’s Shula Bowl MVP for the third consecutive year. Passed for 306 yards and 2 TDs in the Motor City Bowl. Named Motor City Bowl’s MVP. Named FAU’s Team MVP. Named Palm Beach county’s amateur athlete of the year. In 2009, was injured in the Halloween game against MTSU and never suited up for the Owls after that. Picked by the Tennessee Titans in the draft.
 
Hinds was a Linebacker from Miami (Miami Edison HS). Played in the North and South All-star game in HS. In 2009, earned a starting spot as a true freshman. Had 12 tackles in his first start. In 2010, played in 11 games. Recorded at least one tackle in every game except one. In 2011, started in every game. Had 12 tackles against Michigan State and a sack at Auburn. Had 3 tackles for lost yardage in the stadium opener against Western Kentucky.
 
Here is Rusty Smith (L) just after I was fortunate enough to toss the coin for the 2009 homecoming game (Rusty’s last game due to injury), and Hinds (R), in for a visit.

10 days until FAU football kicks off!
 
Some former Owls who wore #10: Quincy Skinner, Rod Huggins, and Stephen Curtis.
 
Skinner was a DB from Coral Springs (Ely HS). Two sport athlete in HS (Football, Basketball). Redshirted in 2002. In 2003, had his first collegiate INT against UCF, and had 5 INTs on the season. In 2004, played left Corner and Special teams. Ended the season with 29 tackles. In 2005, played in 11 games. Recorded an INT at Kansas and had 2 games with 7 tackles.
 
Huggins was a DB from Safety from Moore Haven, FL (Moore haven HS). Played multiple positions on defense and offense in HS. Redshirted in 2006. In 2007, played in 8 games with 3 tackles against North Texas. In 2008, played in 12 games with 9 tackles on the season and played in the Motor City Bowl.
 
Curtis was a QB from Sumter, SC (Sumter HS). Highly rated in HS in SC. All state honors. Redshirted in 2010. In 2011, saw action in 5 games. Season high passing yardage came against FIU with 42 yards. In 2012, was the season opener starter against Wagner. Played in 5 games. In 2013 transitioned to Long Snapper.
 
Huggins (L) in for a visit, and Curtis (R) on the field.

9 days until FAU Football kicks off!

Some former Owls who wore #9: Larry Taylor, Taheem Acevedo, Tarvoris Hill, and Nexon Dorvilus.

Taylor was WR from Sebastian, FL (Sebastian River HS). Played in every game in the inaugural year. In 2003, played in 14 games. Had a 53 yard catch against UCF.

Acevedo was a DB from Miami (Felix Varela Senior HS). Played as a true freshman in 2003. broke his ankle in 2005 and redshirted. In 2006, ended the season with 56 tackles, 9 against Clemson.

Hill was a DB from Miami (Central HS). Played in both Bowl games in '07 and '08. In 2009, had 5 tackles and an interception at Nebraska.

Dorvilus was a Tight End from Miami (North Miami Senior HS). In 2010, played in every game, primarily on special teams. Had his first collegiate reception against Michigan State for 8 yards. Played in every game in his career. In 2012, had a TD against Georgia. In 2013, recorded 6 TDs.

Hill (L), and Dorvilus (R) on the field.

8 days until FAU Football kicks off!
 
Some former Owls who wore #8: B. J. Manley, and Xavier Stinson.
 
Manley was a Running Back from Miami (Norland HS). First team all-district in HS. Redshirted in 2003. In 2004, played in 9 games, mostly on special teams. Longest run of the season was 24 yards against New Mexico State. In 2005, played in 11 games. Ended the season with 15 carries and 8 receptions. In 2006, played in 9 games. Missed 3 games due to injury. Finished the season with 2 TDs.
 
Stinson was a Running Back from Miami (Chaminade-Madonna HS). Named Broward County player of the year in HS. In 2007, was injured so didn’t enroll to save a year of eligibility. Redshirted in 2008. In 2009, played in every game. And had 30 carries on the season. In 2010, started every game. Had 29 carries and 12 receptions. In 2011, started every game. Had at least one rush, and one reception in every game except one.
 
Stinson pictured on the field.

Xavier Stinson had the longest college football career in history.  2007-2013.

I remember people saying we got a major steal in Stinson because he had an offer from Michigan State. Then he got here and he was just okay.

7 days until FAU Football kicks off!

Some former Owls who wore #7: Taurian Osborne, Casey McGahee, Chris Bonner, and David Kooi.

Osborne was a DB from Miami ( Miami Jackson Senior HS). First team All-Dade in HS. Played in 7 games a true freshman in the inaugural year of 2001. Had his first collegiate defensive TD in the school's 2nd game against #22 Bethune-Cookman.

McGahee was WR from Fort Myers (Sebring HS). Recruited as a DB and switched to WR. In 2004, had his longest reception at Kansas for 42 yards.

Bonner was a WR from Tampa (Gaither HS). Nominated to the McDonald's all-American game for Basketball in HS. had 2 receptions for 27 yards and one TD in the 2007 New Orleans Bowl. Had a 52 yard TD reception in the 2008 Motor City Bowl.

Kooi was a QB from Pensacola (Pensacola Catholic HS). Named first team all-state in HS. In 2011, played in 5 games and got the start at QB in the first game to be played at FAU stadium against Western KY.

Bonner (L) on the field, and Kooi (R), in for a visit.