FAU football got better Tuesday afternoon, specifically the defensive side of the ball, as per FAU_Owls_Nest on X, the Owls received commitments from Wilky Denaud, a former 4 star prospect and transfer from Mississippi State & Auburn, Eric Brantley, a former 3 star prospect and transfer from Colorado, and Robert Lee a Linebacker from Osceola high school in the class of 2025.
Denaud, is a 6’4 245-pound Lineman and is a South Florida Native, having played his high school ball at John Carroll High School in Ft. Pierce. Denaud enrolled at Auburn after High School and while with Auburn he was unable to crack the depth chart, eventually transferring to Mississippi State this past spring, before entering the portal following their spring game on April 29th.
At the High School level he was a force, amassing 223 tackles and 26.5 sacks across 4 years with John Carroll, ultimately choosing Auburn over UF, Penn State, Nebraska, Miami, Michigan State, West Virginia, South Carolina, Syracuse, Arkansas, Indiana, Georgia Tech and others.
Along with his natural size and production at the High School level, Denaud played in mainly a 4-3 defense while at John Carroll, and with the Owls also mainly playing a 4-3 scheme defensively there will be some familiarly for him scheme wise, which will hopefully allow him to make an impact early in his tenure for the Owls. FAU’s defensive Coordinator Roc Bellantoni was also on staff at Auburn when the Tigers recruited Denaud, and now the two will get to work together in paradise.
Per Andrew Ivins and 247 sports, coming out of high school Denaud was “A bigger edge player that can create some pressure,” and that “Tends to win on Friday nights with power and heavy hands. Somewhat flexible in the lower half and has flashed the ability over the years to bend while running the arc. Not one to bail on a rush and will keep his legs pumping while in backside pursuit more times than not,” going on to say that his “Skillset and larger build suggests that he could probably get the job done as an edge-setting defensive end for a Power Five program, but ceiling might ultimately be highest as a 4/5-technique in a 3-4 look. Likely going to need some time to get adjusted to the physicality of big-time college football after playing in one of the Sunshine State’s lower classifications.”
As for Brantley, the Georgia native comes in as a transfer after 1 season at Colorado where he was one of 10 high school recruits on Coach Prime’s portal centric debut class and was unable to crack the depth chart as a freshman. However, in similar fashion to Denaud he was a highly touted recruit who dominated at the High School level, as while at Valdosta High School he recorded 228 tackles, 108 Tackles for Loss, and 34 sacks.
The 6’1 250 pound lineman comes with the experience to contribute to the run game; however, he also has the explosiveness and typical build of a player who can also make an impact off the edge. Brantley’s versatility on the defensive line makes him an intriguing addition for coach Roc and Co. and him combining with Denaud on the defensive front will be a scary sight for opposing offenses.
Rounding out the trio of additions was ‘25 middle linebacker Robert Lee, out of Osceola HS in Kissimmee Florida. The 6 ‘1 210 LB junior held offers from UCF, Kentucky, FIU, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina and ultimately decided to announce his commitment to FAU, and per Owls247, that had a lot to do with the personal relationship Owls Coaches built with Lee during his recruitment.
In his most recent season, he recorded 72 Tackles. 15 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, while also being a menace over the middle with 2 interceptions and 2 pass deflections. The past season was a true display of his abilities at the middle linebacker position, showing versatility to defend the pass, while also being a strong tackler and a contributor in the run game.
Spring recruiting is in full force for the Owls, as today the Owls got 2 players committed who will be able to make an immediate impact right away in Denaud & Brantley, and a 3rd in Lee who was a highly targeted recruit for the Owls that they were able to land, and will hopefully see make an impact after his senior year of HS.
