BOCA RATON, Fla. – Wednesday’s early National Signing Day for Florida Atlantic University football saw 13 new Owls sign their name on the dotted line to join the squad for the 2021 campaign, and 17 total players announced thus far as part of the class.
The 13 high school seniors are among those to become part of the FAU program as part of this new class. Additionally, linebacker Keyshawn Greene joins the squad as a transfer, and freshman wide receiver Kobe Stewart comes to the Sunshine State from the west coast. Stewart is a greyshirt member of the class, alongside two previously-announced signees from February, safety Peter Warrick, Jr. and defensive end Jaden Wheeler.
“All the guys that signed with us, I’m excited about them all, because they’re all needs for us (and) it’s going to help us from a depth standpoint with what we have already,” said head coach Willie Taggart. “A lot of these guys are going to be here this spring, which is going to help us as well. I think we answered a lot of questions with this class … and we’ve got to finish up in February.”
The group of announced newcomers to this point is made up of 10 recruits from Florida, five from Georgia, and one each from California and North Carolina. It is nearly split evenly – eight offense and nine defense – with the biggest position groups represented being four linebackers, three members on the offensive line and three defensive backs (two safeties and a cornerback). The remainder of the class is two defensive linemen, four receivers (two wideouts and two tight ends) and a running back.
Seven of the 13 seniors, plus Greene, Stewart, Warrick Jr. and Wheeler, are joining the team for the spring semester. More signees will be announced to this class in February.
Coach Taggart’s full statement on the incoming class can be viewed here:
https://fausports.com/showcase/embed.aspx?Archive=4698&autoplay=false
Here is the full signing class to this point:
| Name | Pos | Ht | Wt | Cl | Hometown / High School (Previous School) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ** Julius Barfield | LB | 6-4 | 220 | FR | Melbourne, Fla. / Eau Gallie High School |
| ** Justice Cross | LB | 6-2 | 220 | FR | Deerfield Beach, Fla. / Deerfield Beach High School |
| Anthony Earle | OL | 6-3 | 309 | FR | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. / Cardinal Gibbons High School |
| ** Jahmal Edrine | WR | 6-3 | 190 | FR | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. / Fort Lauderdale High School |
| ** William Ford | TE | 6-4 | 225 | FR | Saint Pauls, N.C. / Saint Pauls High School |
| *** Keyshawn Greene | LB | 6-3 | 195 | FR | Crawfordville, Fla. / Wakulla High School (University of Nebraska) |
| Courtney McBride | LB | 6-3 | 215 | FR | Conyers, Ga. / Heritage High School |
| ** Jacob Merrifield | DE | 6-3 | 265 | FR | Winder, Ga. / Winder-Barrow High School |
| ** Zuberi Mobley | RB | 5-10 | 185 | FR | Miami, Fla. / Northwestern High School |
| ** Jacob Pasley | TE | 6-4 | 235 | FR | Sebring, Fla. / Sebring High School |
| Jaden Sandlin | OL | 6-6 | 260 | FR | Tampa, Fla. / Tampa Catholic High School |
| Jordan Sandlin | OL | 6-6 | 295 | FR | Tampa, Fla. / Tampa Catholic High School |
| * Kobe Stewart | WR | 6-3 | 180 | FR | Harbor City, Calif. / Narbonne High School |
| Amari Wansley | S | 6-0 | 175 | FR | Buford, Ga. / Buford High School |
| * Peter Warrick, Jr. | S | 5-10 | 183 | FR | Marietta, Ga. / Marietta High School |
| * Jaden Wheeler | DE | 6-3 | 265 | FR | Nashville, Ga. / Berrien High School |
| Jayden Williams | CB | 5-11 | 180 | FR | Valrico, Fla. / Bloomingdale High School |
| * – Greyshirt and January Enrollee | |||||
| ** – Early Enrollee | |||||
| *** – Transfer, will enroll in January |
And here is a bio of each signee:
Julius Barfield
Freshman | 6-4 | 220 | LB
Melbourne, Fla. (Eau Gallie High School)
Will enroll in January
High School
- Posted 30 tackles in six games as a senior, with a sack, six quarterback hurries and 4.0 TFL
- Led Eau Gallie to a 7-2 record and two playoff victories, taking them to the regional finals
- The year prior, as a junior at Viera High School, had 17.0 TFL and 70 total tackles, six of which went for sacks
- Also returned a fumble for a touchdown that season, among three fumble recoveries
- Earned Viera’s Defensive Player of the Game against Melbourne, with 12 tackles, a sack, and the aforementioned touchdown
Personal
- Chose FAU over Miami, Kansas, Coastal Carolina, Colorado State, Charlotte, UAB, UTSA and Marshall, among others
- Rated as a three-star recruit by 247Sports, and as one of the outlet’s top 100 strong-side defensive ends nationally
- Also given three stars by ESPN
===
Justice Cross
Freshman | 6-2 | 220 | LB
Deerfield Beach, Fla. (Deerfield Beach High School)
Will enroll in January
High School
- So far during the current abbreviated season, the team is 4-0, outscoring opponents 153-35, and has the Class 8A Tri County championship game next on the schedule
- Last time out, in the team’s semifinal comeback win over Western, had a key interception with a 25-yard return
- Played in nine games his junior year for a 10-4 squad, posting 28 tackles, four sacks and 9.0 TFL
- Also added three quarterback hurries
- That season, the Bucks won three playoff games to advance all the way to the Class 8A Final Four
Personal
- Chose FAU over other interested schools such as Maryland, Toledo and Colorado State
- Three-star by both ESPN and 247Sports
===
Anthony Earle
Freshman | 6-3 | 309 | OL
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Cardinal Gibbons High School)
High School
- Paves the way for a Cardinal Gibbons offense that is ranked No. 3 in the state of Florida by MaxPreps, with a 7-1 record, and 234-91 point differential (or 29.3 points per game against just 11.4 given up)
- Starts alongside his twin brother, Michael, on the Chiefs’ line
- The team is scheduled to play in the Class 4A state championship on Dec. 17
- Last season, the Chiefs were 10-3 and made a regional finals appearance
Personal
- Picked the Owls over Kentucky, Indiana, Coastal Carolina, Appalachian State, Marshall and Boston College
- Rated as a three-star recruit by 247Sports and ESPN
===
Jahmal Edrine
Freshman | 6-3 | 190 | WR
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Fort Lauderdale High School)
Will enroll in January
High School
- The Flying L’s have posted a 2-2 mark so far on the abbreviated season
- He began the year with 109 yards receiving and two touchdowns against Dillard
Personal
- Chose FAU over many other interested schools, including: Wake Forest, Vanderbilt, NC State, Liberty, Charlotte, WKU and Utah State
- Ranked by 247Sports as the No. 118 overall player in the state of Florida
- Given three stars by that outlet, as well as by ESPN
===
William Ford
Freshman | 6-4 | 225 | TE
Saint Pauls, N.C. (Saint Pauls High School)
Will enroll in January
High School
- St. Pauls squad is scheduled to play their football season in the spring
- As a junior, got into the end zone three times among 17 catches, and 351 receiving yards
- Also has suited up on the Bulldogs’ basketball and track teams
Personal
- Is rated by ESPN as the No. 29 tight end nationally, and No. 70 recruit from the state of North Carolina
- 247Sports has him as its No. 83 tight end and No. 65 North Carolina recruit
- Both have him at three stars
- Chose FAU over Coastal Carolina, Liberty, Akron, Boston College, Old Dominion, UAB and WKU
===
Courtney McBride
Freshman | 6-3 | 215 | LB
Conyers, Ga. (Heritage High School)
High School
- Patriots went 3-2 in this shortened season; in those five games, he posted 10.0 TFL and 23 total stops
- Additionally, he had 3.5 sacks and five quarterback hurries, a forced fumble, a recovered fumble and a blocked kick
- His sophomore and junior campaigns, he combined for 19.5 sacks (10.0 and 9.5, respectively), 41.0 TFL (19.0 and 22.0) and 30 QB hurries (14 and 16)
- All told over the three years, he recorded 139 total tackles – 51.0 for loss – with two defensive touchdowns (both on fumble returns) and six forced fumbles
Personal
- Chose FAU over Navy, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Akron, Samford and Eastern Michigan
- 247Sports placed him among its top 100 weak-side defensive ends nationally
- Three stars by 247 and ESPN
===
Jacob Merrifield
Freshman | 6-3 | 265 | DE
Winder, Ga. (Winder-Barrow High School)
Will enroll in January
High School
- Finished his four-year career with 182 total tackles, 42.0 for loss, and 12.0 sacks
- Posted 56 tackles during his senior season, including 15.0 behind the line of scrimmage
- Also forced two fumbles and recovered one for a score
- As a junior, those totals were 66 tackles and 19.0 TFL, with six sacks
- Also played basketball for the Bulldogs
Personal
- Three-star recruit by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN
- Other interested schools included Cincinnati, Navy, Liberty, Georgia State and Nevada
===
Zuberi Mobley
Freshman | 5-10 | 185 | RB
Miami, Fla. (Northwestern High School)
Will enroll in January
High School
- Finished up the shortened season 3-2 with a playoff appearance in his first year playing for the Bulls
- The year prior, suited up for Miami Norland High School, recording 10 rushing touchdowns and nearly 1,000 yards
- Was named to the Miami Herald All-Dade Third team on offense after that output
- Previously played at South Shore High School in Brooklyn, New York, where he was a New York State All-USA Today Second Team selection as a freshman
- That season included a game where he picked up 305 rushing yards in a win over Tottenville
Personal
- Also considered Indiana and Utah State
- Three stars by ESPN and 247Sports, the latter ranking him as the No. 114 running back nationally
===
Jacob Pasley
Freshman | 6-4 | 235 | TE
Sebring, Fla. (Sebring High School)
Will enroll in January
High School
- Led the Blue Streaks to a 8-0 regular season mark as a senior, and playoff appearance
- In four games, caught 15 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown
- Earned First Team All-District honors on offense
- Team improved from 6-5 mark the year prior
- As a junior, in eight games, caught 11 passes for 132 yards
Personal
- ESPN slots him as No. 60 tight end in the country
- Is ranked No. 99 among tight ends by 247Sports, and three stars by both
- FAU topped list of many others, including Cincinnati, UCF, USF, Appalachian State, Georgia State, Temple, Southern Miss, Marshall and Tulane
===
Jaden Sandlin
Freshman | 6-6 | 260 | OL
Tampa, Fla. (Tampa Catholic High School)
High School
- Along with his brother, was part of an offensive line that led the Crusaders to a 7-3 record in 2020, and two playoff victories on the way to a Class 4A region finals appearance
- The squad outscored their opponents 311-169 on the season and averaged nearly 200 yards per contest on the ground (and 11.1 yards per carry) with 21 rushing scores
- He had one of those rushing touchdowns, a six-yard carry
Personal
- Rated by 247Sports as the No. 100 offensive guard nationally
- Three stars by 247 and ESPN
- Twin brother of fellow offensive line signee Jordan
- Other schools considered included West Virginia, Coastal Carolina, Appalachian State, Liberty, Georgia State, Bowling Green, Toledo, Tulane, Troy, UAB, Southern Miss and Marshall
===
Jordan Sandlin
Freshman | 6-6 | 295 | OL
Tampa, Fla. (Tampa Catholic High School)
High School
- Along with his brother, was part of an offensive line that led the Crusaders to a 7-3 record in 2020, and two playoff victories on the way to a Class 4A region finals appearance
- The squad outscored their opponents 311-169 on the season and averaged nearly 200 yards per contest on the ground (and 11.1 yards per carry) with 21 rushing scores
Personal
- Rated by 247Sports, nationally, as the No. 161 offensive tackle
- Three stars by both ESPN and 247Sports
- Considered a host of other schools, including Coastal Carolina, Appalachian State, Liberty, Georgia State, Bowling Green, Toledo, Tulane, Troy, UAB, Southern Miss and Marshall
- Twin brother of fellow offensive line signee Jaden
===
Amari Wansley
Freshman | 6-0 | 175 | S
Buford, Ga. (Buford High School)
High School
- Has led his powerhouse Buford squad to an 11-1 season so far in 2020 and a current No. 5 ranking in Georgia by MaxPreps
- The Wolves – Class AAAAA champions in 2019 – moved up a class for this season, and will appear in the Georgia Class AAAAAA semifinals on Dec. 18, with the championship game set for Dec. 29 should they win
- They have outscored their opponents 491-80 (an average win of 41.0 to 6.7), and are currently on an 11-game winning streak
- For the ’19 state champs, he had 45 total tackles, 3.0 for loss, recovered a fumble and had four pass breakups
- He also plays wide receiver for the Wolves, and is a member of the school’s track team
Personal
- Chose FAU over Arizona State, Syracuse, UCF, Iowa, Indiana, Maryland, Louisville and Georgia State
- Three-star recruit, No. 99 safety nationally and No. 95 state of Georgia recruit by 247Sports; three stars, No. 106 safety and No. 143 recruit in Georgia by ESPN
- Also rated three stars by Rivals
===
Jayden Williams
Freshman | 5-11 | 180 | CB
Valrico, Fla. (Bloomingdale High School)
High School
- Posted 33 tackles this year, and led the team with three interceptions, returning one for a score
- Totaled 480 all-purpose yards, with the majority coming as a fantastic punt returner
- Had two punt return scores, and averaged 18.3 yards per return (16 for 293)
- Offensively, had a carry for 52 yards, and four catches for 80 yards
- Also recorded a punt block
- Squad finished 12-1 on the season, suffering its first loss in the state semifinal round, as one of the final four teams standing in Class 7A
- The Bulls outscored their opponents on the year, 423-201
- In three years on varsity, part of a combined 32-6 record (9-3 as a junior, 11-2 sophomore season)
- As a junior had 42 total tackles, two picks and a fumble recovery – for a touchdown; recorded 15 tackles with a fumble recovery and blocked field goal as a sophomore, along with a 43-yard touchdown reception
- Also played basketball for the Bulls
Personal
- Chose FAU over USF, WKU, Akron, Toledo, Bowling Green, Austin Peay, Rhode Island, Campbell and FIU
- Three-star recruit by ESPN and 247Sports
===
— GREYSHIRTS —
All three will enroll in January
Kobe Stewart
Freshman | 6-3 | 180 | WR
Harbor City, Calif. (Narbonne High School)
High School
- Finished up his prep career at Narbonne High School, near Los Angeles
- Previously played his high school ball at Marietta High in Georgia
- His junior year there, caught 33 passes for 472 yards and six touchdowns
Personal
- Chose FAU over Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Syracuse, Appalachian State, Louisville and Arizona State, among many others
- Rivals rated him as three stars, as the No. 86 wide receiver in the nation, and No. 52 player in the state of California regardless of position
- Also rated as a three-star recruit by 247Sports and ESPN
===
Peter Warrick, Jr.
Freshman | 5-10 | 183 | S
Marietta, Ga. (Marietta High School)
High School
- Played linebacker and safety at Marrieta, the No. 1 team in Georgia in 2019 according to MaxPreps
- Posted a combined 129 tackles his junior and senior seasons
- In addition to 66 tackles, had two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery as a senior
- The Blue Devils went 14-2, winning the Georgia Class AAAAAAA state championship
- Following that win, helped the team to a 53-14 victory over Eastside Catholic (state champions from Washington) in the GEICO State Champions Bowl Series
- The season prior, had 63 total tackles and two more interceptions
- Also played baseball at Marietta
Personal
- Three-star recruit by 247Sports
- Also considered Memphis and Rice
- Son of Peter Warrick, who was twice a consensus All-American at Florida State before playing five years in the NFL for the Cincinnati Bengals and Seattle Seahawks
===
Jaden Wheeler
Freshman | 6-3 | 265 | DE
Nashville, Ga. (Berrien High School)
High School
- Had 58 tackles, 5.0 for a loss, his senior year
- Posted a sack and also caused two fumbles
- The year before, had 5.0 TFL among 25 stops, with a forced fumble and a blocked punt
- Tallied a receiving touchdown each season as well
- Took part in the Georgia Elite Classic All-Star Game
- High school teammate of current Owl linebacker Ja’Marquis Johnson
Personal
- Three-star recruit by 247Sports, as the No. 139 nationwide defensive tackle and No. 180 player in Georgia
- Picked FAU over Syracuse, USF and Tulane among other many late offers
===
— FOUR-YEAR TRANSFER —
Keyshawn Greene
Freshman | 6-3 | 195 | LB
Crawfordville, Fla. (Wakulla High School/University of Nebraska)
Will enroll in January
At Nebraska (2020)
- Did not appear in a game before entering the transfer portal
High School
- For Wakulla, had 147 total tackles as senior, 9.0 for loss, with three sacks
- Added an interception, two pass defenses and a blocked field goal
- Led squad to a 13-1 record, with its only loss coming in the Class 5A state semifinal round (and by just one point)
- As a junior, had 108 tackles, four sacks, an interception, and forced two fumbles
- Recorded 89 tackles as a sophomore, and 60 as a freshman, for a grand total of 404 stops in his four-year career
- Had six total touchdowns for the War Eagles: two rushing as both a senior and sophomore, and two more his second season, each coming on fumble recoveries
Personal
- Out of high school, was rated as a four-star recruit by 247Sports and as the No. 6 outside linebacker in the entire nation
- Also by that outlet, was slotted as the No. 17 recruit from the state of Florida and No. 100 recruit nationally
- Was rated four stars by ESPN, the No. 17 linebacker, No. 32 Floridian and 192nd in the country in the ESPN 300
- Ran a 4.49 40-yard dash, the fastest among all ESPN outside linebacker recruits
- Rivals also had him four stars, as the No. 15 linebacker, No. 33 recruit from Florida and No. 203 recruit nationally
- Chose Nebraska over Florida, Florida State, Miami, Auburn, Tennessee, UCF, Georgia Tech, Arkansas and Louisville
- Played in the 2020 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, leading his East squad with 4.5 tackles, 2.5 TFL and a sack
