Florida Atlantic's recruiting class was generally regarded as one of the lowest-ranked among the nine Sun Belt Conference teams.

That should come as no great surprise. The Owls aren't a high-profile enough program to lure the elite prospects to Boca Raton. And coach Howard Schnellenberger makes a habit of redshirting the vast majority of his true freshmen, which isn't something a blue-chipper with designs of playing right away wants to hear.

Luckily, there's still enough talent inside the Sunshine State for FAU to get its share. The Owls signed 24 players, all of whom played at least their senior season of high school football in Florida. Thirteen of those 24 play on the offensive side of the football.

Just don't count on seeing many, or any, of them on the field.

"I'd like to see them all compete, I'd like to see them all lose," Schnellenberger told the Palm Beach Post on national signing day. "I don't think we can win with a lot of true freshmen playing, but there are exceptions to that."

TOP OF THE CLASS

LB Conard Johnson (Blanche Ely High, Pompano Beach, Fla.) -- Johnson is a powerful 6-foot, 224-pound prospect who might have got some attention from Southeastern Conference teams had he possessed a bit more size. He still was considered a consensus three-star recruit but suffered a knee injury late in his senior high-school season and was still on crutches when he signed his letter of intent.

DB D.J. Frye-Smith (American High, Miami, Fla.) -- Frye-Smith has an immediate opportunity for playing time with Florida Atlantic having to replace two senior cornerbacks from the 2010 team. He impressed during the Dade vs. Broward All-Star Game and might be that rare true freshman to play right away for Howard Schnellenberger.

PK Marcelo Bonani (Lake Wales High, Lake Wales, Fla.) -- A huge get for the Owls, considering coach Howard Schnellenberger lured the native Brazilian away despite some interest from Nebraska. Bonani might instantly see the field as the Owls graduated PK Ross Gornall.

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