R250 RB selects Fla. Atlantic

On Saturday afternoon, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) University School running back Jordan Scarlett forever changed the Florida Atlantic football program when he committed to the Owls. Scarlett is the highest rated verbal pledge in the program's history since the inception of the Rivals.com rankings in 2002.

The Rivals250 prospect is rated as No. 113 player in the nation. He ran for 979 yards on 119 carries and 17 touchdowns. FAU is getting a combo back with good hands and playmaking ability.

His decision to commit comes on the heels of the announcement of University School head coach Roger Harriott's decision to leave the Fort Lauderdale powerhouse program for the Owls as running backs coach.

"It's close to home in nearby Boca and it's pretty good from an education standpoint," remarked Scarlett. "Most of all it was because of Coach Harriott. I talked to him on the phone and I just felt that he has helped me a lot so far and in high school that I should be with him in college. He has been such a good role model to me, I said why wouldn't I want to spend the next four years with him at the next level?"

The Owls have produced Washington Redskins running back Alfred Morris and Scarlett said he wants to come in with the same impact.

"They said I can come in and be the face of the program," noted Scarlett. "I can be the guy that changes the program. I was just ready to accept that challenge."

Fellow University School teammate Deonta Fair committed to FAU as well today. Scarlett plans to work on close friend Rashard Causey and his cousin Rodrick Archer of Plantation (Fla.) South Plantation.

He holds double-digit offers and big name schools will likely continue to recruit him. Florida State, Georgia, Miami, UCF stood out to Scarlett early in the process. The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder said he will still listen other programs, but he is "100%" committed to FAU at this stage.

Kynon Codrington is a Southeast Region football recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. You can click here to follow him on Twitter.