Jimmy Jean enters fall practice as a starter and one of the top defensive tackles on Florida Atlantic’s roster and will be counted on towards producing some sacks for an Owl defense that finished as 112th in the nation last season.

Redshirting his freshman year and practicing with the team at the Motor City Bowl, Jean has put on some size (6’2” 290), and worked on his techniques against quality competition in practice. A redshirt-sophomore, Jean played in four games last season for the Owls and recorded a tackle against Arkansas State.

Recording 85 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, and five sacks his senior year high school at Northeast High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Jean had a monster game against rival Cooper City High School tallying three sacks and 11 tackles. Jean earned first-team All-Broward honors before signing with the Owls.

Jean recently sat down with us for “Up Close”.

Quick Hits

What is your favorite food?

“I love Chinese food.”

What is your pet peeve?

“When people talk a lot, but don’t know what they’re talking about.”

Who is your current off the field role model?

“My dad. For one single parent coming from Haiti and bringing eight kids to the U.S., all while working a dish washing job; I have to give him that.”  

What are you most proud of?

“Making it to college.”

What is your major?

“Criminal Justice. I want to work with something like drug trafficking or FBI.”

What is your Faith?

“Christian.”

Line of scrimmage

What aspect of your game do you feel is your strength?

“Reading plays and knowing my positioning on the field.”

What aspect of your game do you feel is your weakness?

“My footwork.”

Down the field

Besides football, what brought you to FAU?

“I didn’t want to go somewhere where someone had already done that. I wanted to be part of something, and I felt that FAU gave me that chance.

What are your goals for the upcoming season?

“Keep my starting position, and then go from there.”

What game are you looking forward to the most next season?

“Texas and South Florida, there the big teams. My cousin also goes to school at USF, and I really want to beat that school.”

What do you want FAU fans to know about you personally?

“I play with my dogs. I have a pit bull and a rottweiler back home.”

Touchdown

Coming up, our next player has recorded some of his own music, and wants to work on some mix tapes once he’s done with football.