Pok’s Football Week in Review: More 2025 CFB Previews

Welcome back to another edition of Pok’s Football Week in Review!

Today, we will go over the potential key contributors and sleepers at WR/TE for the FIU Panthers, USF Bulls, and Florida Atlantic Owls. The college football recruiting recap covers some of the smaller moves of the week, while the “Quotes of the Week” covers my interview with USF commit Jayson Franklin. And, finally, I have my weekly “Grab Bag” of other notes from the week.

It is not a deep column this week, but it is a fun one! Without further ado, let us dive into it!

Brandyn’s 2025 Football Preview: Wide Receivers & Tight Ends

Similar to last week’s running back edition, the weapons edition of my 2025 football preview will do things a bit differently.

For the three teams I will be covering (USF, FIU, FAU), there will be select players highlighted as those who could breakout in 2025. Additionally, we’ll highlight players who are “sleepers” to either break out or be contributors. It is a very fun group of players for these teams, so let us not waste any more time. It is time to dive into another entry of “Brandyn’s 2025 Football Preview.”

USF Bulls

Wide Receivers: Keshaun Singleton, Chas Nimrod, and Brandon Winton

Despite losing key production from last season, the Bulls are set to have plenty of wideouts ready to step up and produce in 2025.

One of the likely main contributors is rising junior Keshaun Singleton. After taking a redshirt season in 2023, Singleton posted 26 receptions for 398 yards and three touchdowns in 2024. He had 157 yards after the catch, an ADOT of 13.1, and a yards per route run of 1.78.

The wideout has the deep speed to thrive in the Bulls’ offense, taking full advantage of the arm strength of quarterback Byrum Brown. Singleton also has great hands, good route-running ability, and the potential to make impressive contested catches. Add in the ideal size for an outside wideout, and you have a very likely breakout player for USF.

https://twitter.com/BGauvin23/status/1940410675475390767

In addition to Singleton, Chas Nimrod and Brandon Winton are two players expected to be key parts of the football program.

Nimrod, a Tennessee transfer, has impressive deep speed that can be deployed all over the offense. I was impressed with how he performed over the spring. He showcased good separation and route running, proving he can make things happen for the Bulls on offense.

Winton, a rising sophomore from Tennessee, was arguably my favorite player from the Bulls’ spring game. Showcasing smooth route running, great YAC ability, and sure hands, the wideout was a favorite target of his quarterbacks. Winton has all the ability to break out in 2025.

Tight Ends: Wyatt Sullivan and Jonathan Echols

Similar to their wide receiver room, the Bulls have some interesting players in their tight end room for this upcoming season.

One such player is Wyatt Sullivan, who transferred from FAU over the winter. Used sparingly with the Owls over the past few seasons, Sullivan has untapped potential as a pass-catching asset. He has good speed and nice ability after the catch, which he showcased on an impressive screen pass in the spring game. Sullivan can also attack down the field, something that will be crucial in the up-tempo USF scheme. Just as important, though, is Sullivan’s blocking ability. The Georgia native can produce in this area both inline and on the move, adding important versatility to his game.

Whether as a pass catcher or blocker, Sullivan is going to be a key piece for the Bulls this year and show the full range of his abilities.

The other player circled at the tight end position is Jonathan Echols. A four-star football recruit in the 2024 class, Echols has all of the ability to be a matchup nightmare for USF. He has smooth movement ability, above-average speed, and has showcased impressive route running over the spring. Echols also has shown great hands at the position.

Between his ceiling, pedigree, and overall skill, Echols has a chance to be the breakout player for USF this season. It will be fascinating to see how the Bulls deploy him this year, especially considering his potential as a matchup nightmare for both linebackers and defensive backs.

Honorable Mentions: Jeremiah Koger, Joshua Porter, and Weston Wolff

A freshman this season, Jeremiah Koger could lay the foundation to be a key contributor for the Bulls going forward. He has great deep speed and contested catch ability; as his route running improves, Koger could easily get on the field frequently over the course of the season.

Joshua Porter is a shifty and explosive route runner. He has a chance to provide a high floor for the Bulls this season.

Weston Wolff, who missed last season, has a chance to provide very high value for the Bulls as both a blocker and a pass catcher in key situations.

FAU Owls

Wide Receivers: Easton Messer and Quincy Brown

In his first year deploying his offense for the FAU Owls, Zach Kittley has plenty of potential weapons that can be assets for quarterback Caden Veltkamp. But when it comes to potential breakouts, I see Easton Messer and Quincy Brown as two of the most likely players to do so.

Messer, a Western Kentucky transfer, is a fun football player at the position. In 2024, the wideout posted 796 yards and four touchdowns on 56 receptions. He had 362 yards after the catch, 2.24 YRR, and an ADOT of 10.2. As a rusher, Messer had 37 yards on nine carries.

The former Hilltopper is shifty as a route runner, consistently finding space and easily beating defenders with quick movements. Once he gets the ball, Messer is a dynamic as they come. With both strength and speed, the wideout has the capability to rip off big plays on a consistent basis.

Working with his close friend in Veltkamp, and a well-regarded play caller in Kittley, Messer is in a position to fully break out in 2025. And out of all of the players on this list, the former Hilltopper has arguably the best chance to become a household name by the end of the season.

If Messser is the well-known name for FAU, fellow transfer Quincy Brown is the under-the-radar player who has a great chance to break out.

Brown, who has played at both TCU and Nicholls State, has 755 yards and eight touchdowns in his career. He has not specialized in YAC ability, but has showcased impressive speed down the field (12.6 ADOT in his career). Additionally, Brown has shown the capability to make contested catches, notching a career best of three on ten attempts last year.

In FAU’s offense, Brown could be extremely productive and fun. He has the deep speed and frame to thrive with Veltkamp, while also having untapped potential in multiple aspects of his game. In a sense, Brown and FAU are a perfect match for each other, considering the wideout’s skillset and the Owls’ new scheme. Be sure to keep an eye on how the veteran wideout performs in Boca Raton this season.

Tight Ends: Reid Mikeska and Martevious Collins 

After losing the majority of their 2024 tight end room to graduation or the transfer portal, FAU has plenty of interesting newcomers for the 2025 season. Similar to the wide receiver room, I see two players stepping up to the plate and having breakout seasons.

The first player in this duo is Reid Mikeska. A transfer from South Carolina, the tight end was the 46th-ranked player at his position in his recruiting class. Mikeska has the ability to contribute as both a pass catcher and a pass blocker. Through the air, Mikeska has solid hands and a big frame to box out defenders who want to cover him. As a blocker, the former Gamecock has great fundamentals and the strength to take on players in space or on the line of scrimmage.

In FAU’s offensive scheme, Mikeska has the potential to be a matchup nightmare. As a blocker, he should be able to help open up lanes for the running backs, especially on zone concepts. Once the passing game gets used, Mikeska should be able to exploit matchups against smaller linebackers or defensive backs. If the FAU offense clicks the way it is capable of doing, Mikeska has a chance to be a big part of its success in 2025.

In addition to Mikeska, fellow transfer Martavious Collins is another player who could make a difference at tight end for the Owls. Originally a member of the UTEP Miners, Collins was the 50th-ranked ATH in his class, according to 24/7 Sports. Before committing to UTEP, Collins was committed to Auburn and Alabama.

Collins, at least from the spring football sessions, looks like a player ready to instantly contribute in the passing game. He has smooth movement ability, solid hands, and good route running for the tight end position. Additionally, Collins has a strong frame that will allow him to contribute on the line of scrimmage in a variety of ways.

The former Miner should, just like Mikeska, be able to contribute right away in 2025. Collins is a great fit within the Owls’ offensive scheme, and I am interested to see how he is deployed to start off the season.

Honorable Mentions: Jade Card, Branden Hoch, and Mykel Calixte

Out of FAU’s entire wideout room, the biggest wild cards for the 2025 season are Jade Card, Branden Hoch, and Mykel Calixte.

Card, a freshman from Miami Norland, was ranked as the 58th-best ATH prospect in 24/7 Sports’ 2025 rankings. He had offers from Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami, Ole Miss, and more, choosing the Owls over all of them.

Calixte, an Orlando native, was the 206th receiver in the 2025 class. He had offers from Central Michigan, Marshall, and more.

Hoch, a Fort Lauderdale native who attended St. Thomas Aquinas and West Boca, was a three-star wideout and the 204th player in Florida (24/7 Composite Rankings). He chose FAU over Auburn, Miami, Ole Miss, and more.

All three players represent what is likely going to be the type of wideout that Kittley will target going forward, albeit in slightly different ways.

Card wins with smooth route running and a strong frame, while showing the capability to win with some speed deep down the field. Calixte can be an impressive red-zone weapon with an above-average frame, and also has the movement ability to attack down the field. Hoch has a blend of both players’ styles in his own game; between impressive contested catch ability and smooth route running, the wideout has a variety of tools in his arsenal to get open.

I would not say it is likely that Hoch, Card, or Calixte see significant playing time off the bat. However, there is a reason that these three players were highly regarded in the Owls’ 2025 recruiting class. Keep an eye on how their playing time and roles progress in the coming weeks and months.

FIU Panthers

Wide Receivers: Alex Perry and Eric Nelson Jr. 

FIU, especially after losing Dean Patterson and Eric Nelson Jr. to Georgia Tech, has a wide-open wideout room. There are plenty of players who impressed in the spring season, but Alex Perry and Eric Nelson Jr. have the inside track to be the impact wideouts for the Panthers this season.

Perry, a Hawaii transfer, played for the Rainbow Warriors sparingly over the past three seasons. The wideout has 498 yards and three touchdowns on 49 receptions, while also notching seven contested catches and an ADOT of 12.0. He also contributed as a run blocker throughout his time on the West Coast.

On FIU, Perry is set to be used in a variety of different ways. Over the spring, Perry had a chance to show off his route-running ability in all areas of the field. He created space in the short and intermediate areas, using his frame to box out defenders while making the same types of contested catches he has thrived at this level of football. Additionally, Perry showed solid deep speed and solid hands when he was targeted from his quarterbacks.

In the 2025 season, Perry should be the ideal outside or “X” wideout for the Panthers. I am excited to see how he can perform in an expanded role in Willie Simmons’s offense. If he plays similar to how he did in the spring, the Hawaii transfer could be in store for a big season.

Nelson Jr., in a slightly different way than Perry, was a huge standout for the Panthers during the spring. He showcased deep speed and ball tracking, which popped up on multiple long touchdowns during the team’s practices. Nelson Jr. also showed nice route running to all areas of the field, creating easy separation against all types of defensive backs.

The second-year wideout is a big-play waiting to happen for the Panthers, and that does not even include his floor as a route runner and overall pass catcher. Nelson Jr. has the skillset to be a huge producer and contributor for the Panthers in 2025, and I am interested to see how he progresses as a player.

Tight Ends: Dallas Payne and Jackson Verdugo

Just like the wide receiver room, the FIU tight end room has plenty of new faces ready to make an impact in 2025.

One such player who falls into this category is Dallas Payne. A transfer from UAB, the tight end has the ability to contribute as a pass catcher and overall blocker. Payne posted 394 yards and a touchdown in three seasons. However, he also had 226 yards after the catch, three contested catches, and 15 missed tackles forced. As a blocker, Payne graded out as a positive pass blocker and was relatively fine as a run blocker.

I expect Payne, a veteran for the Panthers, to get on the field early and often. With his experience and overall skillset, FIU should be leaning heavily on Payne at the position to start off the season.

The second player expected to make an impact is freshman Jackson Verdugo. A Texas native, Verdugo was a three-star prospect who had 24 offers before committing to the Panthers.

As a player, Verdugo is a very fun pass catcher. He had at least four touchdowns and 400 yards in every season he played at the high school level. To do so, Verdugo utilizes nice speed and quickness in the open field, understanding how to attack different types of defenses and coverages. Additionally, Verdugo does have the upside to play inline, as he can add more weight to his frame over the next few years.

If Payne is the more “inline” player, Verdugo is the matchup nightmare. The freshman has the capability to help open up the FIU offense and give Keyone Jenkins a target that can do a little bit of everything. If he plays to his capabilities and gets the necessary reps, Verdugo could be one of the main contributors on offense for the Panthers this season.

Honorable Mentions: Kyle McNeal, Jojo Stone,  and Juju Lewis

On the wideout front, Kyle McNeal, Jojo Stone, and Juju Lewis are names to keep an eye on in 2025.

McNeal is an awesome route-runner who thrived when given the opportunity to play in the spring. Lewis, who dealt with an injury during spring ball, is a Georgia Tech transfer who should be in line to produce immediately in 2025. Stone, a Louisville transfer, is an electric playmaker and route runner who has some of the best pure talent in the position room.

It is very feasible that one, or multiple of McNeal, Stone, and Lewis take significant playing time away from other receivers as the season progresses. The Panthers have an underrated wideout room, and these players should not  be overlooked heading into 2025.

College Football Recruiting Roundup

After weeks of frequent movement, recruiting has slowed down a bit for USF, FIU, and FAU. However, that does not mean there is no news to discuss in this week’s college football recruiting roundup.

USF Bulls

The Bulls landed a top-80 running back in the 2026 class. Jayson Franklin, a Fayetteville, North Carolina native, chose USF over schools like Duke, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Virginia, and more.

Despite being in a backfield where he splits carries, Franklin has been extremely impressive for Seventy-First High School. The running back, according to his page on MaxPreps, has 2667 yards and 28 touchdowns over the past two seasons. He has 15 100-yard games and has averaged 9.7 yards per carry. Additionally, the running back has contributed as a pass blocker and even has seven tackles for loss on defense.

Franklin has a high-level running style, understanding how to read blocks and tempo his runs. Once he gets moving downhill, Franklin shows great burst and strength. He has the ability to outrun defenders or simply go straight through them. As a result, the running back can create chunk gains for his team in space and get the gritty yards that are needed in high-pressure situations.

With untapped potential in the passing game as a blocker and pass catcher, Franklin has the chance to be a great player at the college level. He is a great get for the Bulls, adding to what is becoming a very deep and talented 2026 class.

On the other hand, USF lost running back K’Wan Powell to the transfer portal. Powell, a member of the Bulls’ 2021 recruiting class, played sparingly in 2022 and 2023. He has 342 yards rushing, two touchdowns, 242 yards after contact, and 22 missed tackles forced in his career. Powell has also added six receptions for 36 yards over his two seasons.

It will be interesting to see where the former Bull ends up, especially in this new transfer window. Powell had immense talent coming out of school, resulting in him earning offers from schools like Florida State, South Carolina, and LSU. The running back can likely still contribute, but he will need a team to take a shot on him to be able to capitalize on his potential.

In other recruiting news, 24/7 Sports has listed Ole Miss linebacker commit Izayia Williams as a “top target” for the school in the 2026 class. This is in conjunction with his visit to the school, which took place earlier in June.

I have spoken about it in a previous edition of the column, but this would be a massive get and flip for the Bulls. Williams would be one of the best defensive recruits in recent memory for USF and would likely be in line for an instant impact player once arriving on campus. It will be a tall task for the Bulls, and there is a good chance Ole Miss, or one of the other major schools pursuing him, gets him on campus. Yet, this is still a situation to keep an eye on.

FIU Panthers

Shifting to FAU and FIU, both schools had very limited news – which is why both will be grouped together in this segment.

The Panthers had recent wideout commit Barrett Schulz on a July 13 visit and had tight end Ayden Passley commit to add to their 2026 class.

Schulz, as we spoke about in last week’s edition, is a fun wideout prospect for the Panthers. He has impressive size, movement skills, and a knack for highlight-reel contested catches. The official visit should, in an ideal world for FIU, solidify Schulz’s commitment and provide another big step toward getting him officially signed.

Passley, who holds six other offers outside of the Panthers, has impressive movement ability for his size. Playing plenty of wideout for Jupiter High School, Passley can shake off defenders in space and create easy throwing windows for his quarterbacks. Add in impressive contested catch ability, and FIU has another player who could be a steal in the 2026 class. I am excited to see how Passley begins to adjust to the tight end position, as he looks to be on a very similar trajectory to the talented Jackson Verdugo.

Florida Atlantic

As for FAU, the Owls have quarterback Cole Bergeron as a top target for its 2026 class on 24/7 Sports.

Bergeron is a player who has been talked about in previous editions of the column, and for good reason. The quarterback has a great arm that can attack all levels of the field at a high rate of success. He has great mechanics, solid athleticism, and plays the position in a very smooth manner that suggests he has very high upside at the next level.

FAU faces some stiff competition for Bergeron, however. In addition to the Owls, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and Colorado have recently offered the Louisiana native. But with a very quarterback-friendly offense and a well-regarded head coach, FAU has a solid chance to land the quarterback if they pursue him. And if they do, I think Bergeron could be a very successful quarterback going forward for FAU.

The Owls also made a splash in the college football transfer portal, securing former Kansas Jayhawks defensive back Damarius McGhee. FAU has been very active in the portal and bringing in plenty of defensive backs to shore up the secondary. However, McGhee has seen very limited action with the Jayhawks, playing just eight games in two years. It’ll be interesting to see how the Owls utilize McGhee this season.

Quotes of the Week

USF Running Back Commit Jayson Franklin on how he has developed his running style: “One of the biggest the biggest things that has helped me is learning what everyone else is doing.  I was always a talented running back, but learning how the play works gives me a better understanding of where everyone should be and what you should do. It is more of a film-side thing than a natural talent thing.”

Franklin on his goals for the 2025 season and what he wants to showcase: “One thing that I really want to showcase is that I can be the guy. Coming up, I shared carries with another running back, and our quarterback was big in the run game. We had 1,500 rushing yards each. With those two graduated now, I want to show that I can be the back and hopefully reach over 2,00 rushing yards.

Grab Bag: Other Football Notes from the Week

As always, here are my other notes from throughout the week!

• USF announced its home game themes schedule for the 2025 college football season. Out of all of the ones listed, I am very intrigued to see what the “Flashback Friday” theme entails.

• Athlon Sports released its preseason all-conference teams ahead of the 2025 college football season. Here are the players who made the teams from USF, FIU, and USF, in their respective conferences.
  • First Team:
    • OL Jaheim Buchanon, FIU
    • WR Easton Messer, Florida Atlantic
    • LB Mac Harris, USF
    • CB De’Shawn Rucker, USF
    • P Logan Lupo, Florida Atlantic
    • CB Brian Blades II, FIU
  • Second Team
    • QB Byrum Brown, USF
    • QB Keyone Jenkins, FIU
    • RB Cartevious Norton, USF
    • RB Kejon Owens, FIU
    • WR Keshaun Singleton, USF
    • TE Dallas Payne, FIU
    • OL Zane Herring, USF
    • K Nico Gramatica, USF
    • P Trey Wilhoit, FIU
  • Third Team:
    • WR Alex Perry, FIU
    • OL Cole Best, USF
    • DL Keegan Davis, FIU
    • DL Rico Watson III, South Florida
    • LB Jhalyn Shuler, South Florida
  • Fourth Team:
    • QB Caden Veltkamp, Florida Atlantic
    • OL Julius Pierce, FIU
    • OL Alex Atcavage, Florida Atlantic
    • OL Derek Bowman, USF
    • LB Johnny Chaney Jr., FIU
    • DL Josh Celiscar, USF
    • DL CJ Doggette Jr., Florida Atlantic
    • DL Dre Butler, USF
    • K Garrison Smith, Florida Atlantic
• The initial ratings for College Football 26 are out! I detailed some of the ratings for key contributors for USF, FIU, and FAU on social media, which you can find below!

CFB 26 is here! Here is a thread of initial ratings for some players on USF, FIU, and FAU! (Remember, ratings are always subject to change!)

— Brandyn Pokrass (@brandyn-pokrass.bsky.social) 2025-07-07T17:15:34.599Z

• Popular College Football YouTuber Bordeaux chose FIU to go with in his first dynasty of College Football 26. Pretty cool!

• Former NFL Academy QB Sam Fenton became the first international player at his position to join a D1 FBS college football program. I am intrigued to see how Fenton develops and how USF chooses to deploy him in the future, as he adds yet another fun piece to the Bulls’ quarterback room.

• Thanks to the new roster limits from the recent House settlement, a new transfer portal window has been opened up from July 7 to August 5. I am fascinated to see what types of players enter this portal and how aggressive teams are in trying to bring these players in. Along with all of the other chaos, this portal just adds to the craziness of college football.

And that is a wrap! Thank you for checking in once again this week, and I will catch you again next week! Until then, enjoy your day!