Taggart puts finishing touches on initial Owls recruiting class
BOCA RATON — Florida Atlantic coach Willie Taggart put the finishing touches on his first recruiting class with the Owls on Wednesday during national signing day.
FAU addressed many of its needs for the upcoming season, bringing in 11 offensive or defensive lineman (10 signees, one transfer) and multiple wide receivers (four transfers, one signee) who’ll be able to contribute immediately.
“The receiver position was a spot we felt we could get some guys that could help us next year,” Taggart said. “And in the trenches, especially the [defensive line]. We filled in spots at every position on there except for tight ends and specialists really. I feel like we got what we needed.”
Here’s a look at FAU’s 2020 recruiting class.
Signed on National Signing Day
Evan Anderson; DT; 6-3; 340; Orlando Jones: Anderson will add much-needed depth in the trenches for FAU after the Owls lost three defensive tackles from last year’s roster. He had 84 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles as a senior and also played offensive line in high school.
Alex Atcavage; OL; 6-2; 275; IMG Academy: Atcagave, who was ranked by 247 Sports as the No. 118 offensive tackle high school prospect, previously committed to Taggart at Florida State. He’s expected to start his collegiate career at right tackle.
Ja’Marquis Johnson; LB; 6-4; 220, Berrien (Ga.): Johnson will join FAU as a linebacker despite playing all over the field in high school. He spent time at quarterback, running back and wide receiver at Berrien and was ranked by 247 Sports as the No. 132 high school wide receiver recruit in the nation.
Chris Jones; DE; 6-4; 225; Coconut Creek: Jones is a high-level pass-rusher who’s expected to play linebacker. He recorded 48 tackles and eight sacks during his senior season at Coconut Creek.
Malik Jones; OL; 6-2; 238; Zephyrhills Christian Academy: Jones is expected to play offensive line at FAU even though he played defensive tackle in high school. He recorded 26 sacks during his senior year.
Trevor Reaves; DB; 6-2; 180; Miami Edison: Reaves recorded 91 tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble during his senior season. He’ll start his collegiate career at safety but has the size to play outside linebacker.
Willie Taggart II; QB; 6-2; 175; Florida State University High: The son of FAU’s coach, was the Owls’ first signee on national signing day. It marks the third straight year FAU has signed a high school quarterback. He completed 59.2% of his passes for 2,165 yards, 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions during his senior season.
Peter Warrick Jr.; CB; 5-10; 185; Marietta (Ga.): Warrick Jr. recorded 66 tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble during his senior season. He’s the son of Florida State great and former NFL wide receiver Peter Warrick.
Jaden Wheeler; DT; 6-2; 280; Berrien (Ga.): Wheeler recorded 13 quarterback hurries, 10 tackles for a loss and a sack as a senior.
Transfers
D’Marcus Adams; WR; Florida State (redshirt sophomore transfer): Adams redshirted his freshman year with the Seminoles in 2018 and didn’t catch a pass before entering the transfer portal in 2019.
TJ Chase; WR; Clemson (graduate transfer): Young recorded 25 receptions for 206 yards and three touchdowns in 41 games during his collegiate career with the Tigers. He was a part of the Clemson teams that won the 2016 and 2018 national championships.
Malcolm Lamar; DL; Florida State (redshirt sophomore transfer): Lamar redshirted his freshman season at FSU in 2018 before playing in four games and making two tackles during the 2019 season. He and Adams have both sent in waivers to the NCAA to be immediately eligible.
Yanez Rogers; WR; Cincinnati (sophomore transfer): Rogers, a Pompano Beach native who played for Blanche Ely, entered the transfer portal in October after enrolling at Cincinnati in June 2018. He redshirted the 2018 season, recording one reception for 4 yards, and didn’t see game action during the 2019 season.
Aaron Young; WR; Duke (graduate transfer): Young set career highs in receptions (29), receiving yards (367) and touchdowns (3) during the 2019 season with Duke.
December/January signees
■ Alvin Dempsey; DT; East Central (Miss.) C.C.
■ Sebastien Dolcine; G; CopiahLincoln (Miss.) C.C.
■ Eli Fields; OL; Butler CC
■ Decarius Hawthorne; DL; Center Point (Ala.)
■ Marlon Krakue; LEO; MariettaSprayberry (Ga.)
■ Andre Lamas; OL; MiamiChristopher Columbus
■ Joe Lewis; LB; Tampa Bay Tech
■ Travis Lockhart; DE; Carrollton (Ga.)
■ Justin McKithen; WR; New Hempstead (Ga.)
■ Charles Toombs; S; Immokalee