Singletary, Durante and Al-Shaair represent FAU at the NFL Scouting Combine

The three representatives is tied for the most in program history.

Photo+by+Logan+Bowles+

Photo by Logan Bowles

Zachary Weinberger, Staff Writer

If FAU fans watched the NFL Combine this past weekend, they might have recognized a few familiar faces.

For only the second time in school history, three former Owls were represented at the combine: running back Devin Singletary, wide receiver Jovon Durante and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.

Here’s how they fared.

Devin Singletary

There was massive hype surrounding the star tailback before he stepped foot in Indianapolis.

Leading into the weekend, NFL Network draft analysts Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks both ranked “Motor” as the second best running back in the 2019 class – behind Alabama’s Josh Jacobs. Singletary ran for at least 1,000 yards in each of his three seasons at FAU, scoring 66 touchdowns.

His performance in the combine workouts didn’t quite match the production he showed on the field. Singletary ran a 4.66 in the 40-yard dash, which ranked 18th out of 23 participating running backs. Speed isn’t necessarily Singletary’s most valuable trait, however, as he relies on his his patience and agility, which he displays frequently on film.

While he stills has abilities to work on – like catching out of the backfield – Singletary is still on pace to be the highest drafted Owl in school history.

Jovon Durante

One of FAU’s bright spots last season was Durante, who caught 65 passes for 873 yards. At the combine, he ran a speedy 4.55 40-yard dash, broad jumped 120 inches and showed good hands in the positional drills.

NFL.com gave Durante a prospect grade of 4.93, which per its criteria means he “should be in an NFL training camp. The problem some teams have with Durante is his 5-11, 160-pound frame. NFL cornerbacks are usually 20-30 pounds heavier than that, which could make Durante struggle to get off press coverage.

The size concerns notwithstanding, Durante is an agile, athletic player who has the ability to make plays both from the slot and out wide.

Azeez Al-Shaair

FAU’s all-time leading tackler, Al-Shaair didn’t participate in any on-field workouts because he’s still recovering from a torn ACL, which he suffered midway through the 2018 season. However, Al-Shaair spent the weekend interviewing with NFL teams who expressed interest in him.

Al-Shaair had incredible production at FAU, but he’ll have to prove to teams that he is the same dominant player post-injury.

The NFL Draft begins April 25, as the three players who represented FAU at the combine will be looking to making their professional dreams a reality.  

Zachary Weinberger is a staff writer with the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email [email protected] or tweet him @ZachWeinberger