Pok’s Football Column: 2026 College Football Recruiting Wrap-Up

The march to the 2026 college football season is almost set to begin! Yes, you heard that correctly! Even though it feels like the 2025 season just ended, spring football is here, setting the stage for various teams across the FBS to start their process in finding their starters and/or key players.

College Football 2026 Recruiting Recap

Yet, before all eyes turn toward spring ball, it’s time to to wrap up the 2026 recruiting cycle. Whether on the high school front or the transfer portal, plenty of key players and sleepers were added. This was the case for USF, FIU, Florida Atlantic, and Florida. On all levels of the recruiting front, these teams added players who will play big roles for their teams in the present and the future.

Who are these key players? And who are some players under-the-radar that could have a big impact? Let’s find out together as we wrap up the 2026 CFB recruiting class for some key Florida schools.

USF Bulls: Full 2026 Class

• OL Jordan Harrison
• CB Masiyah Limehouse
• CB CJ Cresser Jr.
• EDGE Demetrius Geathers Jr.
• DB Amari Jones
• LB Dennis King
• DL Iverson Garcia-Ponce
• RB Jayson Franklin
• DL Sager Quinn
• EDGE Peter Ramil
• CB Ja’Kyri Watson
• K Gaston Gramatica
• TE Ryley Zalusky
• CB Derrick Nichols III
• WR Dmari Roberts
• LB Lorenzo Barnes
• WR Gabe Legrand
• CB Keyshaun Birks
• OT Jaylin Acevedo
• DB JR Rosenberg
• WR Cameron Seldon
• QB Jayden Bradford
• LS Don Volante
• K Lawson Thorn
• QB KJ Cooper
• TE Kade Caton
• DL Major Dillard
• TE Luke Clyburn
• WR Amari Winfield
• OL Cash Hudson
• CB Amarion Fortenberry
• CB Tayvion Beasley
• DL Terell Jones
• WR Kenny Odom
• WR Bryson Rodgers
• OL Julius Tate
• CB Za’Quan Bryan
• EDGE Marshon Oxley
• RB D.J. Crowther
• RB Jason Collins Jr.
• QB Michael Van Buren Jr.
• QB Luke Kromenhoek
• OL Kahari Finley
• DB Ayden Jackson
• DL Terry Simmons Jr.
• LB Sam Robinson
• OL Caleb Cook
• DB Malcolm Ziglar
• WR Arhmad Branch
• CB Teddy Foster
• LB Grayson Howard
• DL Asani Redwood
• OL Ethan Green
• WR Jaron Glover
• EDGE Shamar Meikle
• OL Michael Wooten
• DB Israel Boyce
• EDGE C.J. Hicks
• CB A’mon Lane-Ganus

HS Recruits to Watch: OL Jordan Harrison, LB Dennis King III, RB Jayson Franklin, and WR Gabe Legrand 

Despite losing a chunk of college football commits after the departure of Alex Golseh to Auburn, USF still retained a solid 2026 high school recruiting class. And within that class, there are some key players to monitor both in the present and going forward.

On the offensive line, Jordan Harrison looks to be a player who could provide some value pretty early into his tenure at USF. An early-enrollee, Harrison finished as the No. 82 overall IOL and the No. 6 player in the Washington D.C. area. Whether in high school or at an event like the Under Armor All-American Game, Harrison has showed great foot speed and athleticism against a wide variety of defensive linemen. He is very comfortable as a run blocker and has shown great promise as a pass blocker in drills and games.

Shifting over to Tampa Bay, Harrison is the type of player who should be able to get onto the field sooner rather than later. He not only has the talent to succeed in the short term, but also the potential to turn into a standout in the long term.

Sticking with the offensive side of the ball, running back Jayson Franklin is another player who could find himself on the field sooner rather than later. A North Carolina native, Franklin ran for over 4,000 yards in his collegiate career, with 1,486 yards and 17 touchdowns coming in his senior season. Showcasing great burst and strength throughout his time in high school, Franklin has the ability to churn out short yardage and rip off chunk gains.

USF retained some high-upside players at running back in Alvon Isaac, Tray Kinkle, and Chase Garnett. They also added D.J. Crowther and Jason Collins Jr. in the college football transfer portal. So while it may not be immediate, or even in his first year, Franklin has the ability to get onto the field for the Bulls on the shorter side of things. And when he does, it will be all the better for USF.

At wideout, Gabe Legrand is not an early enrollee for USF, but he is the type of wideout who could build a role for himself in the offense in the medium term. A standout for Lake Wales in Florida, Legrand has showcased a very fun overall skillset. The contested catch ability is off the charts on Legrand’s tape. Whether in the red zone or over the middle of the field, the wideout is a legitimate threat to make big-time plays. Legrand also has shown crisp route-running, a great willingness to block, and impressive after-the-catch ability.

It may not be immediately when he arrives on campus, but Legrand can show that he is a great asset for the Bulls in not only the long-term, but the short-term as well. With plenty of room to build upon and an already-impressive skillset, the Florida native could be one of the best in the Bulls’ 2026 class if he continues to develop.

On defense, the main player to highlight is linebacker Dennis King III, otherwise known as “Tank.”

A Daytona Beach native, King amassed, according to his USF profile page, 263 tackles, 56 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, four forced fumbles, and two interceptions at Mainland High School. He held offers from a plethora of programs, including Miami and Florida. On the field, King III shows impressive all-around ability as a player. He attacks downhill with speed and violence, running through would-be blockers and slamming ball-carriers to the ground. King III also uses this speed to hunt down opposing quarterbacks. For a high school player, his closing speed is wildly impressive.

Already possessing the intangibles to play college football, the spring will be a great way for King III to make a first impression. If he stands out in a major way, there is a path for the linebacker to find his way onto the field in some capacity in 2026.

Transfers to Watch

• DB Malcolm Ziglar
• WR Bryson Rodgers
• EDGE C.J. Hicks
• OL Jaylin Acevedo

In terms of the college football transfer portal, USF was one of the most active teams not only in the American Conference but also across college football. And within this class, there are some key players who should have a chance to make an immediate impact in 2026.

At wide receiver, Ohio State transfer Bryson Rodgers arrives back home with a chance to be a featured piece of the offense. A former four-star recruit in the 2022 class, Rodgers had 79 yards and a touchdown in 2025 for the Buckeyes. He brings great speed and route running to the table, and already has the frame to sustain playing all over the field. A victim of a stacked Ohio State wideout room, Rodgers should be able to find a pathway to the field in Tampa. With his skill set and experience, he is a dark horse to be one of the better wideouts in the conference in my eyes.

Sticking with offense, Navy’s Jaylin Acevedo is a key pickup for the Bulls on the offensive line. Playing in the unique Naval Academy offense, the offensive tackle did not allow a single sack on 110 pass-blocking opportunities. He also had a very solid 61.6 run blocking grade on the year. In a system that should be more suited for his strengths, there could be plenty of untapped potential for Acevedo in 2026.

Defensively, Malcolm Ziglar and C.J. Hicks are two key defensive transfers who could make an immediate impact in 2026.

Ziglar, a former four-star recruit in the Class of 2024, recorded 12 tackles and an interception in his two collegiate seasons up to this point. Possessing some impressive potential, talent, and pedigree, Ziglar could be a star on the backend of the Bulls’ secondary. Some players just need a chance, and this could be the one the former top-100 recruit has needed.

The same could go for Hicks, who arrives as a graduate transfer from Ohio State. A former five-star recruit in the 2022 class, Hicks has shown off the talent in flashes in Columbus. He posted two sacks and 42 tackles with the Buckeyes. However, flashes of that elite talent were there in limited playing time. Hicks has graded out very well as a pass rusher in PFF’s system in both 2024 and 2025. Having a chance to get turned loose in Josh Aldridge’s scheme could be a boon for Hicks; if he finds his best form, he could be one of the best edge rushers in the American Conference.

Sleeper of the HS Class: Demetrius Geathers Jr., EDGE

• Do not get it twisted, this player is only considered a “sleeper” due to public sentiment. Geathers Jr. was one of the better edge rushers at the high school level last season, and he is a massive addition for the Bulls. Once he gets a shot to get on the field, he will succeed at a high level. Book it.

Sleeper of the Portal Class: Kenny Odom, WR

• Odom should not be overlooked as a player who could have a monster 2026 campaign. Dealing with the doldrums of UTEP’s QB play, the wideout still posted a conference-high 62 catches for 582 yards and six touchdowns. Odom has the speed, athleticism, and overall ability to be a threat with the ball in his hands and as a pure wideout. Plenty will need to be determined throughout the spring and fall when it comes to the pecking order, but if he wins a starting role, Odom is the type of player who will give the Bulls instant offense all year long.

Florida Gators: Full 2026 Class

• WR Davian Grace
• CB CJ Bronaugh
• ATH Justin Williams
• EDGE KJ Ford
• CB Dylan Purter
• DL Kendall Guervil
• WR Marquez Daniel
• QB Will Griffin
• TE Heze Kent
• DL Malik Morris 
• DL JaReylan McCoy
• OL Tyler Chukuyem
• OL Chancellor Campbell
• OL G’Nivre Carr
• CB CJ Hester
• DB Kaiden Hall
• OL Desmond Green
• OL Javarii Luckas
• DB Elijah Owens
• LS Carter Milliron
• K Liam Padron
• P Miller Fealy
• WR Ace Ciongoli
• CB Jordy Lowery
• TE Evan Chieca
• DL Mason Clinton
• WR Jaylen Llyod
• LS Hunter Solwold
• CB Kanye Clark
• LB TJ Bullard
• TE Luke Harpring
• WR Eric Singleton Jr. 
• OL Harrison Moore
• OL Emeka Ugorji
• RB London Montgomery
• DB Cam Dooley
• WR Micah Mays Jr.
• Ol Eagan Boyer
• DL Emmanuel Oyebadejo
• P Alec Clark
• K Patrick Durkin
• QB Aaron Philo
• OL TJ Shanahan Jr.
• DL DK Kalu
• WR Bailey Stockton
• TE Lacota Dippre
• DB DJ Coleman

HS Recruits to Watch: WR Davian Grace, WR Justin Williams, CB CJ Hester, and QB Will Griffin

In a very talented high school class, there are some big-time football players who could make their presence felt in Gainesville sooner rather than later – and that’s great news for football fans.

At wideout, Florida landed one of the best wideouts in the country in Texas native Davian Groce. A standout whenever he had the ball, Groce had eight carries for 135 yards and two touchdowns, as well as 37 receptions for 890 yards and 12 TDs. In his career, according to his roster page on Florida’s roster, Groce notched over 4,600 total career yards, was a three-time Dallas Morning News Utility Player of the Year, and a participant in the 2025 Navy All-American Bowl.

With top-end speed and overall athleticism, Groce is the type of player who can make lightning strike in multiple different ways as a playmaker on the football field. Despite a deep room for the Gators (more on one in a bit), it will be very tough to keep Groce off the field for a long time.

Staying with the wideout position, Justin Williams is another big-time recruit to keep an eye on going forward. A four-star recruit for both Rivals and 247, the Gainesville product, according to his page on the Gators’ website, was the first high school player in the state of Florida to record over 1,000 rushing and receiving yards in the same season since Devin Hester in 2002. Williams also set a Buchholz record with seven touchdowns recorded in a single game.

A dynamic athlete who can make big plays out of the backfield or at receiver, Williams is yet another player who could be a key contributor for the Gators going forward. His path to playing time is unclear as of now, but he is someone to bet on being a contributor, at the very least, in college football.

Keeping with the offense, Florida native Will Griffin is a very intriguing name to watch at the quarterback position. A Tampa, Florida native, Griffin passed for 11,605 yards in his high school career and set the all-time single-season passing yardage record for Jesuit High School at 3,404 yards. Griffin, who also threw for 134 touchdowns in his years at Jesuit, became the 10th-ever quarterback in the state of Florida to pass for more than 10,000 yards.

Possessing the necessary size to play the position at a high level, Griffin also possesses a huge arm that can hit any throw on the field. Combined with great mobility, pocket-movement/feel, and the ability to hit throws off-platform, the Jesuit product has a chance to be a standout for the Gators. It may not come right away in 2026, but Griffin is a big name to keep an eye on going forward.

Shifting to the defense, CJ Hester was one of the best defensive backs in the 2026 class in the state of Florida. A four-star in ESPN’s rankings and the 42nd-ranked safety in the 247 Composite Rankings, Hester was a vital piece of three state-championship teams at Cocoa. In his career, Hester had 186 tackles, 112 solo, seven interceptions, 21 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and a TFL across 54 games.

Slotted behind plenty of veterans on the depth chart, Hester’s time in the spotlight will likely come in the future. But with good coverage ability, great overall upside in the secondary, and a winning pedigree, Hester is the type of player who should be able to play a nice role for Florida whenever he makes it into game action.

Transfers to Watch

• WR Eric Singleton Jr.
• RB London Montgomery
• CB Jordy Lowrey
• EDGE Emmanuel Oyebadejo

On the offensive side of the ball, Eric Singleton Jr. and London Montgomery are two players who will help elevate the Gators in 2026.

A consistent producer for Georgia Tech and Auburn over the past three seasons, Singleton has the ability to impact the game in multiple ways. He has the pure speed to beat defenses deep down the field, can make plays in space with the ball in his hands, and makes plenty of contested catches (over 50-percent success rate in 2025). Alongside Vernell Brown Jr. and Dallas Wilson, Singleton Jr. can be the dynamic third option who can truly open things up for the Gators in 2026.

Montgomery was a standout for East Carolina in 2025, playing a massive role in the team’s offensive success. Rattling off 737 yards and seven touchdowns, the running back had 437 yards after contact and 22 missed tackles forced. He also had 12 runs of 10+ yards or more as well.

Providing a power profile in the backfield, along with some burst, Montgomery is a great complement to star running back Jadan Baugh. And in a Florida offense that should have a pretty solid focus on the run game, Montgomery should have a chance to contribute right away.

Defensively, Jordy Lowery and Emmanuel Oyebadejo should help reinforce the Gators’ defense in a big way.

Lowrey, another East Carolina transfer who also starred at Western Carolina, is a stout run defender at the cornerback position. He provided an elite 82.1 PFF run defense grade in 2025, notching 28 tackles and 14 defensive stops in the process. He also recorded four pass breakups for the Pirates.

Oyebadejo, a major standout for Jacksonville State, was one of my favorite defensive players that I watched in all of 2025. Relatively new to the game of football, the Manchester, England, native recorded 35 pressures and five sacks, notching a 73.9 PFF pass rushing grade. He was also a stout run defender, recording 27 defensive stops and a 78.2 run defense grade. Getting better with each game, Oyebadejo is a potential star-in-the-making for the Gators in 2026.

Sleeper of the HS Class: TE Heze Kent

• Should he be playing offensive line? Maybe! Regardless of his future position, though, Kent should be able to provide some significant value for the Gators. He has the size and athleticism to thrive in the SEC, as evidenced by his high school career, where he recorded over 2,000 yards receiving.

Sleeper of the Portal Class: WR Micah Mays Jr.

• Wait, another wide out? Yeah, and he may be someone who contributes in short order in Gainesville. A transfer from Wake Forest, Mays Jr. flashed upper-level explosiveness and receiving ability in his two years with the Demon Deacons. I am a fan of how Mays Jr. attacks playing the position, and there is a world where he pushes for snaps in 2026. Otherwise, he could be a major name to watch in 2027.

FIU Panthers: Full 2026 Class

• DB Karaijus Hayes 
• RB Jayden Ford
• WR Malik Penson
• TE Ayden Passley
• CB Dominic Turnbull
• LB Demitrius Mincey
• DB Eric Johnson 
• DB Kiyante Ingram
• QB DJ Alexander 
• CB Zay West
• OL Riley Wilson
• TE James Resar
• DB Jakari Johnson
• K Noah Sidan
• TE Davis Brown
• DB Jaeden McMillan
• WR Barrett Schulz
• EDGE Michael Smarts
• RB Justin Compere
• CB Jahmani Chin-Suer
• LB D’Andre Arnold
• CB Lawrence Johnson
• OL Spencer Webb
• TE Kevin Schaeffer
• OL Manasseh Ripert
• OL Daveion Harley
• CB Ryan Gadson
• DL Anthony Cunningham
• OL Oscar Colon
• DB DeAndre Boykins
• DL Jamorie Flagg
• CB Vontae Floyd
• DL Elijah Simmons
• DL RJ Moss Jr.
• DB Wesley Miller
• WR Greg Gaines III
• LB Brayshawn Littlejohn
• QB JJ Kohl
• DL Nathan Jennings
• LB JaCorey Stewart

HS Recruits to Watch: WR Malik Penson, CB Dominic Turnbull, DB Jakari Johnson, QB DJ Alexander

In a very fun 2026 recruiting class, there are some players on both sides of the ball who could find their way onto the field in the short term.

Wideout Malik Penson, who finished as a consensus three-star recruit, was a major standout for True North Classical Academy in his senior season. Racking up 754 yards and 11 touchdowns with 2027 FIU commit Zac Katz, Penson showcased impressive speed all over the field. His route running was crisp, he made impressive contested catches, and he was a true threat whenever he touched the ball. Even without the “stars” of other prospects in the class, Penson was one of my favorite wideouts I watched over the past season.

And with spring ball underway, Penson is already making plays at practice for the Panthers. If he continues to impress, the wideout will find a way onto the field sooner rather than later.

Sticking with the offensive side of the ball, quarterback DJ Alexander is a very intriguing player who could see the field relatively early into his college football career.

A standout for New Manchester High School in Georgia, the quarterback totaled 1, 397 yards and 12 touchdowns through the air, while also adding 399 yards as a rusher in his senior year. In his junior year, Alexander had 1,839 yards and 20 touchdowns as a passer.

Possessing all of the traits to play quarterback at a high level, Alexander has already started to show the upside he has as a player early on in spring practice. Getting the ball out on time pretty consistently, Alexander has also shown good accuracy and touch deep down the field. As he gets more comfortable, the quarterback should continue to progress in all areas of the game, and that is good news for the Panthers.

Defensively, the Panthers picked a large swath of impressive defensive backs in the high school ranks. In this article, I want to highlight Jakari Johnson and Dominoic Turnbull.

Turnbull, the son of FIU alum Nick Turnbull, was a defensive standout for True North Academy. The defensive back, according to MaxPreps, had 74 total tackles and 61 pass defenses in his career. Turnbull also had two interceptions and a forced fumble across his years at True North.

Possessing all the skills to thrive at outside cornerback in college, Turnbull is already impressing in football spring practices. With plenty of spots open for competition, in addition to a recent history of the Panthers leaning on young players in the secondary, there is a very real world where Turnbull plays significant snaps in 2026

Johnson, a standout for McArthur and Plantation in high school, has the ability to contribute in a wide variety of ways in the secondary. According to his team page on the FIU website, Johnson had 81 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five interceptions, three sacks, and one forced fumble. In his junior season, he had 54 tackles, five pass breakups, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble.

Flying all over the field, Johnson could easily find his way onto the field pretty soon into his college tenure. Not many players have his willingness to tackle downhill while also having the speed to cover on the backend. I am very intrigued to see how the defensive back progresses over the coming weeks and months.

Transfers to Watch

• OL Oscar Colon
• WR Greg Gaines III
• CB Lawrence Johnson
• QB JJ Kohl

In terms of college football transfers for the Panthers, there are some names to know on both sides of the ball.

On offense, offensive lineman Oscar Colon and wideout Greg Gaines III are in contention for starting spots and could be instant impact contributors for the Panthers. Colon, a Brooklyn, New York, native who appeared in 12 games for Presbyterian College in 2025, only allowed one sack and earned All-PFL Honorable Mention honors. Gaines III, a standout for Rhode Island who started his career at Iowa State, recorded 1,018 yards and four touchdowns on 65 catches. He earned Second-Team All-CAA honors for his season.

Colon, for an offensive line that lost some key contributors, should be able to provide an instant floor on a unit that needs it. Gaines III, in a very similar way to Alex Perry last season, can be the prototypical “X” wideout for the Panthers in their new look 2026 offense.

The most important thing for an offense is the quarterback, and the Panthers added a very fun one in Appalachian State transfer JJ Kohl. Throwing for 1,465 yards and 12 touchdowns, Kohl showed an ability to throw to all fields and attack all different types of coverage. He also showcased rushing ability, notching 50 yards and a touchdown.

In Kohl, the likely hope is that he can help unlock the deeper areas of the field while still providing the movement ability that was so important for the Panthers last season. And early on in camp, Kohl has done just that. The quarterback has shown great accuracy and arm strength deep down the field, along with a great feel for the pocket. If he keeps progressing, Kohl could be one of, if not the best, additions for FIU in 2026.

First action from FIU transfer QB JJ Kohl today. The App State transfer made some really good throws today, including this one to WR Tyson Carter, who made a great adjustment on the ball. #FIU #CFB

— Brandyn Pokrass (@brandyn-pokrass.bsky.social) 2026-03-10T15:06:37.851Z

Defensively, Lawrence Johnson is a defensive back who should provide instant value if he wins a starting job.

At FAU, the defensive back finished the year on a very high note, posting seven tackles and two pass breakups in three games. Johnson also added two run stops and did not have less than a 70.0 PFF coverage grade against Tulsa, UConn, and East Carolina. Possessing nice speed and size at the position, it is a matter of time before the cornerback breaks onto the scene in a big way. If he gets on the field at FIU, he will do just that.

Sleeper of the HS Class: WR Barrett Schultz

• Not an early enrollee, Schultz is an impressive deep ball and red zone threat at wideout. Additionally, he has shown underrated burst and athleticism at the position. There is a world where the wideout is a red zone threat early on in his career before adding a full workload as a player.

Sleeper of the Portal Class: LB JaCorey Stewart

• A transfer from Kansas, Stewart is an underrated name to watch at the linebacker position. Possessing impressive speed and overall ability as a player, the Georgia native could contribute on defense or special teams in 2026. Adding in his upside as an underclassman, Stewart is another player to keep an eye on going forward.

Florida Atlantic Owls: Full 2026 Class

• WR Nicsaint Joseph Jr. 
• TE Owen Pollock
• OT Alejandro Schmitt
• DB Justin Weatherall
• CB Sean Williams
• WR Antojuan Woody
• QB Jeremiah Dauod
• CB Kam Herring
• WR Elijah West
• DB Ja’Cari Jackson
• DL Roman Garcia
• OL Owen Cheatham
• OL Aedyn Buchanan
• RB Brady Tillman
• TE Marcus Vinson 
• K Collin Rogers
• TE Brooks Johnson
• OL Benjamin Galloway
• TE Antonio Johnson
• CB Wallace Foster IV
• OL Kortez Winslow
• OL Aiden Jones
• OL Aqil Meredith-Smith
• CB Amar Reynolds
• DL Corey Clark
• CB Tyson Rooks
• LB Nate Fischer
• CB Ahlston Ware
• DL LeBron Edmond
• DL Blake Burris
• WR Kelby Valsin
• WR Tucker Holloway
• DB Bo Simpson-Nealy
• CB JK Johnson
• LB Joseph Sipp Jr.
• WR Jahmari Powell-Wonson
• EDGE Jonathan Bax
• QB Drew Devillier
• EDGE Jay Crable
• P Reed Chandley
• WR RJ Garcia II
• RB Leonard Farrow
• EDGE Kenyon Garner

HS Recruits to Watch: WR Nicsaint Joseph Jr., QB Jeremiah Dauod, DB Justin Weatherall, OT Alejandro Schmitt

It was a smaller high school class for the Owls, but there were some fun additions made to the college football roster for 2026 and beyond.

At wideout, Miami Northwestern’s Nicsaint Joseph Jr. is a player with some massive upside arriving in Boca Raton. Across his junior and senior seasons, the wideout notched 10 touchdowns, with seven coming in the Bulls’ state championship-winning season. He had plenty of offers to choose from, opting for the Owls over schools like USF, Louisville, and SMU.

Possessing good movement ability and route running, Joseph Jr. is a perfect fit within the offense. He has the ability to open things up deep down the field and also make big plays happen with the ball in his hands on shorter routes. In a room with plenty of unproven players, Joseph Jr. has some of the highest upside for the Owls. It would not surprise me if he gets on the field in some capacity in 2026.

Along the offensive line, Alejandro Schmitt has a sky-high ceiling at offensive tackle. Starting for West Broward for four seasons, the offensive tackle had offers from Florida, Pittsburgh, and West Virginia college football programs. Possessing impressive movement skills in both the run game and upper-level technique as a pass blocker, Schmitt should be able to develop nicely in Zach Kittley‘s offensive scheme. If he continues to progress, the offensive tackle should provide nice value to the Owls.

Jeremiah Daoud, a three-star quarterback who shined at Allen in Texas, is an underrated name that could make a big impact at FAU going forward. In his senior season, Daoud had 2,322 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, and five touchdowns on the ground. In his junior season, Daoud had  2,192 yards and 24 total touchdowns.

The quarterback has the full array of skills to thrive at the college level. Daoud can make accurate throws deep down the field, layer throws over the middle of the field, and extend plays with his athleticism. The quarterback can also be of use as a runner, as evidenced by his high school production in this area.

In terms of his development, Daoud is in a great place. Between learning from Caden Veltkamp and Zach Kittley, the Texas native is on a path to be a contributor in 2027 and beyond.

Defensively, Justin Weatherall is a unique player who could be a spark plug. Holding other offers from Tulane, Toledo, UNLV, and Oregon State, Weatherall has experience playing on both sides of the ball, but is likely to specialize on defense at the college level. In his senior season, the Pine Forest standout notched 24 tackles with two interceptions and a pass breakup. As a junior, Weatherall had 23 tackles and three PBU in three games.

Between his speed and overall versatility on the backend of the defense, I can easily see Weatherall making an impact early on in his FAU tenure. Add in what I think could be high-end special teams ability, and I would not bet against Weatherall getting onto the field in 2026.

Transfers to Watch

• WR Kelby Valsin
• LB Nate Fischer
• EDGE Kenyon Garner
• RB Leonard Farrow

FAU had to attack the transfer portal in a big way, and they added key contributors on both sides of the ball.

Offensively, I am very intrigued by the additions of wideout Kelby Valsin and running back Leonard Farrow. Valsin, a former Texas Tech Red Raider who held more than 30 offers out of high school, contributed on both special teams and offense over the past two seasons. Reuniting with Zach Kittley in Boca Raton, Valsin is a college player who could immediately hit the football field and produce at a high level in the “Owl Raid” offense. Farrow was a standout for Fairmont State in 2025, racking up 1,438 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He has the big-play ability and speed to make great things happen on a play-by-play basis. If he earns a role alongside Kaden Shields-Dutton, Farrow will elevate the Owls in 2026.

Defensively, two of my favorite overall additions for the Owls were linebacker Nate Fischer and EDGE Kenyon Garner. An All-PFL First Team Defense selection, Fischer had 97 total tackles, 10 pass breakups, 8.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and an interception. Garner was dominant for Keystone College in 2025, notching 15 sacks (led DII in sacks per game) and 28 tackles for loss. In 2024, he had 3.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss in four games.

At a position where FAU has struggled at times in recent years, Fischer could be a massive difference maker with his instincts and playmaking ability. Garner, who was also being targeted by Texas Tech, could give the Owls a pass rushing presence that has the potential to flip games on their head. It will be fascinating to see how these two translate to the FBS level, but if they hit, Garner and Fischer could be two of the best players at their positions in the conference next season.

Sleeper of the HS Class: WR Elijah West

• Not on a college campus just yet, Elijah West is a name football fans should get very familiar with going forward. A player who had offers from the likes of Arkansas and Georgia Tech, the Tate product can fly down the field. West’s highlight tape is littered with big-time plays; he not only blazes by defenders, but goes over top of them, too. As a route runner, West has also shown prowess operating in the short and intermediate areas of the field. Even in a room full of players with great talent, West’s skillset and potential is undeniable. It would be a shock not to see him on the field early on in his FAU tenure.

Sleeper of the Portal Class: CB Wallace Foster Jr. 

• Moving from the Bayou to Boca, Foster Jr. is a player I am keeping an eye on this season. Possessing impressive talent as a defensive back, a breakout for Foster Jr. is predicated on having playing time. He has already shown the upside to play special teams and some defensive snaps from an SEC power in LSU. If he wins a role for the Owls, expect Foster Jr. to make FAU’s decision well worth it.