June 23, 2003

Boca Raton, FL - As June comes to a close, football players will report for pre-season drills in just over 30 days. Even before the pads are in place and the shoes are laced, predictions have been made. Florida Atlantic University, which opens it third season at Middle Tennessee State a Division I-A opponent, August 28th, will report to camp with an eye towards upending its competition. The Owls are picked to finish sixth among the eight NCAA Division I-AA independent institutions with St. Mary's College heading the list.

The same preview, published by I-AA.org Independents, lists three FAU players on the first team. The offensive side of the ball features first team members Ben Coker and Kevin Ketchum. Coker, a 6-3, 225 pound junior from Vineland, NJ, played and started in every game a year ago. He had 14 catches for 110 yards and one TD. Coker will be challenged by the return of Dantson Dareus, a 6-5, 238 pound junior from Miami, and Anthony Crissinger-Hill, a 6-3, 205 sophomore from Tampa. Both were starters during the inaugural season but were forced to the sideline in 2002 with injuries. The trio split time during "Spring Drills". Joining Coker on the first team was junior lineman Kevin Ketchum. Ketchum, a 6-5, 292 junior from Miami, is expected to return to the line that has been riddled with injury, including injuries to Ketchum. The strength of the line will play a major factor in both he development of five incoming freshman and the program's success as a whole. With more strength on the offensive line, expect the specialist to shine.

Defensively, Johnnie Sloan, Chris Laskowski and Willie Hughley were honored with Sloan earning first team honors. Sloan, a 6-2, 240 pound junior from the Tampa area, led the front four with 45 total tackles, including 23 solo. He ended the season with eight tackles for a loss, including three sacks for a loss of 11 yards and had three games with seven total tackles. Sloan anchors the front four which unquestionably returns with the size and experience needed to become a wining program. The defensive unit was captained by Laskowski, a 5-10, 212 pound linebacker from Melbourne, FL, who finished the 2002 season as the team's MVP. Laskowski played in every game, led the team in total tackles with 84. Willie Hughley, also a second team member, will return after an outstanding freshman campaign. Hughley had three interceptions including one for a TD and was listed national in that category.

Mark Myers was named to the second team as a kicker. Myers a 6-2, 195 pound junior from Rockledge, FL, has played in every game in the program's history. He ended 2002 ranked 44th in field goals by the NCAA at 0.82 per game and 10th nationally by ESPN.com in percentage at 75%. He made 94.4% of his extra point attempts for a no. 41 national ranking.

While the committee lists two Florida Atlantic players as rising starts, Teddy Strachan, a 6-2, 245 defensive tackle from Miami, FL, and Ramon Richards, a 6-2, 233 pound defensive lineman from Miami, FL, many more are expected to emerge as the season unfolds.