2015 Draft
UDFA 2. Andrae Kirk, LB, Fla-Atlanta:

6001 231....Pro Day: Forty 4.73 - 4.84. BP: 19...BJ: 9-10...VJ: 33.5...20S: 5.01...3C: 7.54

From Sun Sentinal -

"Practice usually ends with Kirk asking an assistant coach or a graduate assistant to throw him the ball. Kirk will drop in to coverage and try to catch the ball while sprinting. The extra work has helped. Kirk leads the Owls with two interceptions — and he could have more if not for a few drops.

But what impresses coaches and teammates so much about Kirk is his awareness on the field. During several games this season, Kirk has analyzed and diagnosed the opponent's play before the ball is snapped. He will alert his teammates and then make the tackle a few seconds later.

"His football IQ is so high, it's really impressive," linebacker Robert Relf said. "He's the smartest football player I've ever played with. I get a lot of energy from him. He's a blast to play with. I'm really going to miss him next year. He's a real emotional leader and he loves the game."

Relf, a sophomore, admits that he has tried to do his best to be like Kirk. Yet that can be difficult task. Kirk watches hours of film each week, both to critique his performance and to examine what the opposing offense is trying to accomplish.

"That's why he's always in the right place," defensive tackle Trevon Coley said. "He always knows what's going on."

Each day, Kirk calls one of his teammates — or two, three or four of them — to join him in film study for the upcoming opponent. The teammates will usually leave after a few hours. As always, Kirk will stay behind. Partridge said he sees Kirk so much in the coaches' office that it feels like he is on the coaching staff.

Roc Bellantoni, the defensive coordinator, said Kirk will sometimes stay in his office until 10 p.m. to watch film. That level of preparation, combined with the production, is why Bellantoni said Kirk is the best linebacker he has ever coached during his career.

"He's up there six hours a day," Bellantoni said of Kirk. "He's getting every ounce of ability out of his body. He's playing above and beyond expectations. Not everybody can say that. I'm just really proud of him."

Kirk was not expected to be this good of a player — a star — when FAU former coach Howard Schnellenberger recruited him. Kirk was an unheralded, two-star recruit from Miami Central High when he arrived at FAU's campus in 2011. Four players were ahead of Kirk on the team's depth chart when training camp began.

Kirk, though, played with intensity, could tackle anyone and showed enough speed to get in position to make plays. Midway through his freshman season, Kirk had become a starter.

Kirk said his uncle, Stanley Mike, who was in the Marine Corps, taught him about work ethic and discipline.

"I expected to come here and play," Kirk said. "I always feel like I'm going to outwork the person that's in front of me. I've always had that mentality. Once I put my mind to something, I'm going to accomplish it."

Despite the Owls' struggles this season, Kirk has done something each week that has captivated Partridge. Whether it is a play he makes or teaching a new technique to a younger teammate, Partridge said the Owls will miss Kirk next season.

Throughout the season, Kirk has developed a bond with Partridge. The two have had several conversations. The past few have been about Kirk's future.

Partridge said Kirk's personality, passion and intelligence will make a him a successful coach. Yet Partridge is confident Kirk will impress NFL scouts, too.

"He's played his way into their awareness, which is fun," Partridge said. "I think he'll get into a camp, whether it's a late draft pick or an early free agent. It's going to be really, really hard to not keep him on your roster. Hopefully he has a future playing for a little while. If not, he's someone that I want to have a part of our coaching staff at some point when the time is right."

As for Kirk, he said his best moment at FAU was when the Owls beat Tulsa earlier this season. Kirk did not have his best game. But he remembers how well his teammates played and how it was Partridge's his first victory as a head coach.

"It was really emotional," he said.

Kirk has visualized how he will play in Saturday's game against Old Dominion. He knows he will get emotional. He even expects to cry.

Then he will try to record as many tackles as he can. Whether the Owls win or lose in his final collegiate game, Kirk will do what he has always done at FAU: He will lead the Owls."

NFL Draft Scouts ranks him 31 out of 134 LB's.Here's what four draft guides have to say:

Pro Football Now (Arkush): Not Listed

Lindy's: Not listed.

Beckett's Draft Guide - Not listed.

Pro Football Draft Guide - Not listed

Bottom Line: Team's defensive MVP...Racked up 12 tackles vs. Auburn...