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The last time we saw new FAU coach Lane Kiffin, he was looking downright agonized as he filmed a promotional spot ahead of National Signing Day. In that video, Kiffin said the Owls would sign “some of the best players in America.” The Owls are trying, and now they’ve landed a player with real talent.
The country’s No. 8 junior college receiver, former Texas wideout DeAndre McNeal, is on his way to Boca Raton, according to a report from 247Sports’ Ryan Bartow.
"I know FAU can make me the top wide receiver in the nation," McNeal told Bartow. "I already know their offense and I know I will get the ball there. At this point in my life I don't need to go where I know I'm going to play and be used."
It appears UCLA, which has a top-20 class, really wanted him.
It appears #UCLA's #1 WR target, JC prospect DeAndre McNeal, has chosen FAU over UCLA, opting for a bigger spotlight on smaller stage. https://t.co/qtvSgGZLfu
— Bruin Report Online (@BruinReport) February 1, 2017
McNeal is the No. 75 JUCO player in the class of 2017, according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite. He slots in immediately as one of the Owls’ most talented recruits in years. We can’t know all that factored into his commitment to FAU, but it seems like a pretty big win for the Owls.
He’s the second high-profile JUCO recruit to commit to Kiffin’s program since he took over in December. The first, former Florida State quarterback De’Andre Johnson, was dismissed from his first college after video surfaced of him punching a woman.
McNeal left Texas after Charlie Strong had suspended him indefinitely last summer. He landed at Fullerton Community College in California, and now he’s got another FBS shot. A former four-star recruit in the class of 2015, it was a pretty big deal when McNeal committed to Texas. We’ll see if he can live up to his potential at FAU.