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It’s not a surprise either that FAU
continues to play against elite
division one schools. Outside of the
2016 NFL Draft, in 2014, and 2015,
FAU saw themselves on NFL Draft
night get represented well. In the
two out of the three years, they’ve
had a draft pick. This season Trey
Hendrickson might be another one
added to the list before 2017 ends.
“It’s the growth of the program.
We’re young but I think we’re on a
pretty fast track. We’re going into
our 16th season. We’ve only had 15
seasons under our belt compared to
some that have a 125 years. We’re
in an area with a great recruiting
base that gives us a chance to get
some raw talent. As you continue to
develop into all of those things that
you help those kids to reach their
potential you’re going to increase
your numbers that are going to get
an opportunity to play in the NFL”
said coach Partridge.
Next season the strength of the FAU
team will come from the defensive
side of the football. Their defense
will be led by Hendrickson who
enters his senior season as the alltime
leader in sacks.
“There’s a lot of youth on defense.
We’ve got experience, especially
in the back seven. I’m excited to
see those guys in their sophomore
campaign. Along with a dynamic
player in Trey upfront. The
40
combination of those guys in the
back seven with Trey…we’ve got
a chance to be a much stronger
defense. We’ve made improvement
last year, so I’m looking for more
this year” said Partridge.
Hendrickson is on the NFL’s draft
radar. The senior holds many
records with the university. Most
notable, he’s FAU’s all-time single
sack season holder. His 13.5
sacks is a record he broke last
year. Moreover, Hendrickson has
recorded 20 sacks all-time which
already is the all-time record at the
school. After the regular season
ended last year, he finished No. 2
in the country for sacks. But if you
ask him, he doesn’t think about
getting sacks. Hendrickson’s after
something much bigger.
“I’m not statistically worried about
anything anymore. I just want to
start getting W’s around here and
start building the program up.
Maybe my class can be the one to
be remembered for that.
“When I want to look back on it
I want to look back and not be
disappointed. It’s one of my fears,
being older and thinking what if.
I want to look back and be happy
with what I did here. I think I’m on
the right track. Leave nothing in the
tank is what I’m trying to do” said
Hendrickson.
Those words also echo from coach
Partridge. He wants to get this
program to compete for national
championships. The tides have
changed in Boca Raton, Florida.
However, if they want to win at
a high-level, they’ll need help on
offense.
On the ground FAU couldn’t have
a better problem to deal with on
their hands. Their running back Jay
Warren is prime and ready to cap off
his excellent carer in his senior year.
Nevertheless, he won’t be alone
with his rushing duties.
Greg Howell comes in his junior
season getting ready to backup
Warren and he’ll be ready to go. Last
season Howell had over 500 yards
as the complimentary option. With
Warren taking a leap and Howell in
the complimentary role it only will
give FAU a better chance to win.
“With our running backs that we
have, it’s a close brotherhood. It
doesn’t matter who has the ball in
their hands. I feel like it would be a
threat because you’ll have to stop
two of us instead of just one” said
Warren.
Even with the number of
expectations around the season,
the players don’t feel much
pressure.
“I don’t feel any pressure right now.
I try not to let the bowl game thing