Florida Memorial and St. Thomas each looking to take football programs to next level

St. Thomas University and Florida Memorial University – Miami’s only NAIA football programs – now know exactly how close they are to a national championship.

Last year, for the first time in history, a Florida school won the NAIA national title. That school was Keiser University, based in West Palm Beach.

Keiser went 12-2 last year, winning its final 11 games in a row, including a 31-21 victory over top-ranked Northwestern College (Iowa) in the final.

Prior to that, Keiser beat FMU 44-13 in its regular-season finale. Keiser beat STU twice, 21-14 in the regular season and 45-21 in the first round of the playoffs.

“It just shows how much talent there is in South Florida,” said Bobby Rome, who is entering his third year as FMU’s coach. “It also shows how strong our (Sun) conference is because Keiser made the national final the previous year, and St. Thomas has flexed its muscles, making the playoffs.”

Both the FMU Lions and the STU Bobcats are programs on the rise. Last year, Keiser won the Sun Conference with a 7-0 record, STU finished second (6-1), and FMU came in third (5-2).

After a 58-year hiatus, FMU brought its program back in 2021, going 2-9. The Lions followed that up by going 3-7 in 2022 and 6-4 last year.

As for the Lions’ 2024 roster, they graduated wide receiver Frank Bentley, but they bring back the six other players who made second-team All-Sun Conference last season.

That list includes: running back Walter Wilbon; right tackle Jeffery Bonica; center Justyn Mack; outside linebacker Daeshawn Davis; cornerback Devin Essix; and safety Darius Conley.

At quarterback, the Lions return starter Cedquan Smith. But he is in a battle this year with Wagner transfer Nick Kargman and returner David Buggs, a redshirt freshman who has set the school’s track and field record in the javelin throw.

“It’s a great competition,” Rome said.

At wide receiver, the Lions return David Studstill, and they added Fresno State transfer Vallee Washington.

“We’re expecting big things this year,” Rome said. “We have a lot of guys returning, and we did a great job in the transfer portal.

“I like what I’ve seen out of our guys in the offseason, and I think we will surprise people.”

Meanwhile, the STU Bobcats started their program in 2019, going 4-6. The Bobcats posted a 4-3 record in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, and they followed that up by winning nine games in each of the past three years (9-2, 9-2, 9-4).

This year, the Bobcats return seven starters on offense and six on defense.

Rychel has made several changes to his coaching staff, bringing in defensive coordinators Brad Rzyczycki and co-defensive coordinator Jairus Marlow. Offensive coordinator Anthony Neymeiyer returns, but Rychel also hired co-offensive coordinator Reilly Murphy. And, among the position coaches, Drew Davis, the son of legendary coach Butch Davis, returns to guide the wide receivers and tight ends.

“I think it’s going to be fantastic,” Rychel said of the staff additions. “Those guys bring in a lot of experience, which will make us better.”

The Bobcats are already very good.

For example, they return seven players who made either first- or second-team All-Sun Conference last year.

That list includes quarterback Keely Watson and running back Rontavious Farmer, who has led the nation (NAIA) in rushing in each of the past two years.

At wide receiver, the Bobcats return David Hayes and Khalitri Zow.

On the offensive line, standout left tackle Axxell Jeanty returns, although there are holes to fill on that unit.

By the numbers from 2023, Watson passed for 2,400 yards and 22 touchdowns with eight interceptions.

Farmer rushed for 1,773 yards, a 6.3 average and 26 TDs.

Hayes caught 41 passes for 929 yards, a 22.7 average and 13 scores. Zow caught 34 passes for 714 yards, a 21.0 average and five TDs.

On the other side of the ball, the Bobcats return two All-Americans: defensive end Nicholas Engler and linebacker Kendall Wilson.

Engler led STU in tackles for losses 20½) and sacks (8½).

Wilson led STU in tackles (109) and blocked kicks (three).

“We have high expectations that we have to live up to,” Rychel said when asked to sum up his roster. “But I’m excited to see what we can accomplish.”

▪ The University of Fort Lauderdale enters its fourth season looking to build off a 5-5 season, which saw the program score its first five victories ever.