Florida Atlantic Football made multiple additions to their 2026 High School recruiting class this past weekend. One of them was Saint John Neumann High School DL Frederic Sainteus, who announced he would be headed to Boca Raton to begin his collegiate career.
The 6 ‘5 277 pound Naples, Florida native has spent the first 3 seasons of his High School career at Golden Gate High School in Naples where as a freshman he began playing organized football for the first time 3 years ago.
This past season was the first year Sainteus spent at the varsity level and he dominated, recording 71 total tackles, 7 for loss and 5.5 sacks.
Although just his first year at the Varsity level and only third overall playing football, Sainteus showed no problem adjusting to the game and according to him that’s because he’s a fast learner.
“I did not play football as a middle schooler or anything. I just learned fast as a player, I’m smart, I’m not only muscle, but I’m actually smart. So I quickly learned everything that was taught to me. My first time playing varsity, I can say it was kinda tough because football wasn’t my first sport, but even then, it wasn’t really a problem for me. It was easy when you start putting everything together, what they (the coaches) tell you to do, what not to do, just keep following the ball. I just followed what my coaches were telling me to do,” Sainteus said.
It has been a quick rise to success for Sainteus as in just one varsity year he was able to earn multiple offers from multiple programs including FIU and Western Illinois, as well as garnering interest from Wisconsin.
Despite offers from multiple programs, Sainteus opted to commit to FAU after a recent visit and that was in large part due to the relationship he was able to develop with Coach Devin Santana.
“When I went on my visit, obviously, they wanted to show me everything. How the program is going, the players, as well as Coach Santana, talked with him, about his life, his family, his friends. We spent time together going over plays. We did spend a good amount of time together, he’s a very good coach,” Sainteus said.
It will be a big upcoming senior season for Sainteus, as he is set to transfer to Saint John Neumann High School for his final year of High School football.
Sainteus will look to build on a successful Junior year next season at Saint John Neumann and while he gets to work on doing that, his message to the FAU fanbase is to remain hopeful for the future.
“As an incoming freshman, as a guy who’s going to FAU, I want to tell them I’m here to change the program. I’m here to make big plays. I’m here to give them hope. That’s my thing. I’m here that’s hope. I want them to have hope for a great season, because I feel with me on the line, we’re going to have a good defense,” Sainteus said.
Sainteus joins Jvon Hatcher as a pair of defensive line recruits that committed to FAU’s 2025 class this past weekend.