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FAU Football Spring Camp Mar 29: Parms Making Strides at Safety

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FAU Football Spring Camp Mar 29: Parms Making Strides at Safety




Florida Atlantic returns almost their entire defense from last season, but one of question marks this spring has been who will take over at safety.

With incumbent starter Brent Harstad lost to graduation, defensive coordinator Pete Rekstis has been shuffling to find a replacement.

His answer appears to be junior Damian Parms.

Parms, who started two games last year at the tail end of the season, has been working with the first-team defense alongside Winfred Strickland. Together the two have formed the backbone of the Owl's secondary and are looking to give the team some consistency.

"It's a little shaky right now," Parms said of the safety situation. "I think coach Rekstis likes my physicality and athleticism and I think he's starting to like my focus."

At a stiff 6-foot2 195 pounds, Parms (pictured above, bottom right) is one of the team's largest defensive backs, but his maturation is what has helped him make a difference in practice.

"He's having a good spring. He's kind of grown up over the offseason and realized how committed he needs to be and wants to be - and that shows on the field," Rekstis said.

For a majority of spring camp, Parms has been a physical force over the top of the defense and forced quarterbacks into making difficult throws. If his development continues, Rekstis feels as if Parms should be an every day starter by next fall.

"Damian keeps working and I feel better and better about his progress," Rekstis said.

Parms registered 20 tackles last season with one of his best outings coming against Navy.


Notes:

- With quarterback play continuing to be a shuffling of passers,  Parms shared a defender’s insight on the unit. "I feel like they are getting a little bit quicker on their snaps. I really like Melvin German back there. He's really hard to play, he can run and pass." While the noting of German may come as a surprise, the defensive back was quick to follow with a few words on Jaquez Johnson. "He can really throw, he's got nice size."

- Reksits confirmed the movement of David Lozandier from safety to linebacker. The junior is listed on the spring roster at 6-foot 210 pounds, and should provide some speed for the linebackers. He saw time with the second-team defense in practice.

- DL Kayvon Sherill didn't practice and is believed to be sidelined with a knee injury.

- DB Keith Reaser tweeted what appears to be his last "tweet” after practice saying that the team has a new no Twitter policy. FAU has confirmed that the rule was put in place because of numerous violations of team policies.

- A handful of guests were at practice including FAU signees OL Austin Bland and WR Bobby Mitchell. I had the opportunity to speak with both players and they were impressed overall with what they saw on the field… 2016 St Thomas Aquinas QB Blake Dever was also on hand along with his brother, 2014 OL Tyler Dever. The two chatted with offensive coordinator Brian Wright after practice… Former Owl's safety Marcus Bartels was watching the session and he told me that he is planning on attending graduate school at Nova Southeastern in the near future. It was good to see an old player out supporting the program.
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Re: FAU Football Spring Camp Mar 29: Parms Making Strides at Safety

WE also have Mark Mauro - JUCO All-American coming in the fall at safety, and don't forget about McKnight. We will be fine back there, much better than last year IMHO.
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Re: FAU Football Spring Camp Mar 29: Parms Making Strides at Safety

Maybe I'm reading too deep into it, but I noticed when Parms was asked about the passing game he only mentioned JJ and MGIII.  The article states Parms is working with the 1st team defense, so would that imply he is facing the 1st team offense? 

FAU - We got Bowls!
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Re: FAU Football Spring Camp Mar 29: Parms Making Strides at Safety

Apparantly MGIII had a good practice Friday and got a ton of snaps with the 1s on Monday…Dumptruck is gonna love this :)

And now that he doesn't have time to play on Twitter, maybe he can study some more.
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Re: FAU Football Spring Camp Mar 29: Parms Making Strides at Safety

TeamBeer said

And now that he doesn't have time to play on Twitter, maybe he can study some more.

Doubtful…


                                         ROLL OWLS
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Re: FAU Football Spring Camp Mar 29: Parms Making Strides at Safety

duder said

Maybe I'm reading too deep into it, but I noticed when Parms was asked about the passing game he only mentioned JJ and MGIII.  The article states Parms is working with the 1st team defense, so would that imply he is facing the 1st team offense?

They rotate which unit is facing which. Sometimes it's 1st offense against 2nd team defense and vice versa.
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Re: FAU Football Spring Camp Mar 29: Parms Making Strides at Safety

Thanks Andrew, I kinda figured that may be happening but wasn't sure.  Either way it sounds good and I appreciate the updates.

FAU - We got Bowls!
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Re: FAU Football Spring Camp Mar 29: Parms Making Strides at Safety

TeamBeer said

Apparantly MGIII had a good practice Friday and got a ton of snaps with the 1s on Monday…Dumptruck is gonna love this :)

And now that he doesn't have time to play on Twitter, maybe he can study some more.

Dumptruck's head is going to explode…
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