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Devarious Mitchell, Tremonte Underwood and Christian Paraison to compete for chance to walk-on

The accomplishments of star athletes are celebrated, but WPTV found three underdogs who have worked hard to keep their dreams alive on the football field.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Did you have dreams of playing college sports, but gave up because you didn't receive a scholarship?

According to the NCAA, only 2% of high school athletes are awarded some form of athletic scholarship to compete in college.

The accomplishments of star athletes are celebrated, but WPTV found three underdogs who have worked hard to keep their dreams alive on the football field.

Growing up, athletes strive to be a star with multiple Division I offers from the top programs. However, few players out of thousands can call that a reality.

But with strong dedication and a selfless attitude, 30 student-athletes hit the gridiron on Wednesday in an attempt to land a spot as a walk-on on the Florida Atlantic University football roster.

Jeff Love, FAU football's director of player personnel, described the make-up of a walk-on.

"It means a guy on campus that could potentially be on campus [who] you may not know about," Love said. "[Someone who] just has a love for the school and the program that you may not know about."

Love and several other coaches gathered Wednesday afternoon to host the football hopefuls during the walk-on practice.

However, at the end of the day, only three players heard their names called, allowing them to continue their journey of making it on the fall football roster.

Devarious Mitchell, Tremonte Underwood and Christian Paraison spoke with WPTV about being selected by the coaches to continue their dream.

"It means everything," Mitchell, a sophomore running back/wide receiver, said. "Putting in the work, knowing the tryouts was coming up. I knew two months in advance, just putting in the work each and every day, coming out here and showing the coaches what I can do. I'm glad it paid off."

"It's just an opportunity right now," Underwood, a freshman running back, said. "It's nothing guaranteed. I'm still beyond grateful to be able to come out here and show the coaches what I can do."

"We've been out here putting in work the last couple of months," Paraison, a junior, said. "It means the most to be getting called up, one of three names that made the spring roster."

Typically, a college football team can carry about 100 players but only are allowed to distribute up to 85 scholarships, making the need for talented, selfless and hardworking walk-ons even more essential.

"I think we all deserve the same respect," Paraison said. "The coaches believe in us, that we can help bring something to the team."

While most people aren't familiar with many walk-ons, several have gone on to make a name for themselves, including Antonio Brown, JJ Watt, Clay Matthews and Jason Kelce, who recently retired after a 13-year career with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Mitchell, Underwood and Paraison will now participate in spring ball before learning if they make the fall roster, they said just getting this opportunity is a dream come true.

Copyright 2024 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Eddie Ritz

It's officially winter in South Florida and though you won't be building snowmen or hitting the slopes, you will be able to enjoy outdoor activities without having to layer up or even wear a jacket most of the time. This is the time to venture outside enjoy festivals, greenmarkets and the area's incredible entertainment. This weekend dig into great seafood at the 8th Annual Royal Palm Beach Seafood Festival, listen up at Northwood Jazz and Blues Festival or go all in at Grassy Waters Preserve during the Swamp Tromp hike.

In addition to the top five events listed there's always something great happening at places like The Norton Museum of Art or the Maltz Jupiter Theatre. On top of that you could always just enjoy a great meal with an equally great view at one of Palm Beach County's waterfront restaurants from Jupiter to Boca Raton. Plus, we've curated a list of the best things to do all year in the county, and here it is: your bucket list of 55 fun must-try things to do in Palm Beach County.

Best St. Patrick's Day events:Top parties, parades, Irish food deals, in Palm Beach County

1. Royal Palm Beach Seafood Festival

This two-day festival will feature live music, arts & crafts and plenty of seafood including lobster, shrimp, oysters, crabs, fresh fish, calamari, conch and more. Not a seafood fan? (Are you feeling OK? Just kidding!) No worries: there will be plenty of options for landlubbers as well. The bands performing include the Lucky to Be, Making Faces, Keith Anthony Barbrie, Sweet Justice, Bamboo and the Van Halen tribute group-Completely Unchained on Saturday; and Jupiter Trailer Trash, Bobby G & Paulie, the Aerosmith tribute group-Aerosmith Rocks, Scott Benge and the Foreigner tribute group-The Foreigner Experience on Sunday. There will also be pirates and mermaids and a free Kids' Fun Zone.

The event is 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 16 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 17. Commons Park, 11600 Poinciana Blvd., Royal Palm Beach. Free admission and parking. Information: pottcevents.com

2. The Northwood Jazz and Blues Festival

Calling all music lovers to this two-day event featuring a blend of the finest jazz bands and some of the best nationally touring artists in blues/rock. Bands hitting the event's courtyard stage will include Albert Castiglia, Paul Nelson, Alex Lopez, Earth code and T's Express Jazz band on Saturday and Memphis Lightning, JP Soars and the Redhots, Cleveland Jazz Band and Delray Jazz Collective on Sunday. There will also be food trucks on site and beverages including beers from Noble Brewing Company, LaBelle Brewing Company, Persimmon Hollow and more available at the venue. Audiences encouraged to bring appropriate lawn/outdoor seating when possible.

The event is 3 to 11 p.m. Saturday, March 16 and 1:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 17. Northwood Art & Music, 933 28th St., West Palm Beach. Advance one day $25, at door $30; two-day $40. Information: 360-878-3474; northwoodartandmusic.com

3. Sunday on the Waterfront (St. Patrick's Day) featuring Tracy Sands

Hailing from County Down in Ireland, Tracy Sands is a traditional Irish and contemporary vocalist who infuses rock and folk with her voice and music. Concertgoers will be transported to all things Ireland when they see and hear her in person. The festive event will also feature face painters and roving Irish performers.

The event is 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 17. Centennial Square, 100 N. Clematis St., West Palm Beach. Free. Information: wpb.org

More:Food Network superstar Guy Fieri makes second trip to North Palm Beach pizzeria

4. Swamp Tromp at Grassy Waters Preserve

Find your inner Rambo, Tarzan or Jane and take a walk on the wild side during this guided wet hiking tour through the preserve. Get up close and personal with the environment and learn why wild Florida is so worth preserving for future generations.

The event is 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 16. 8264 Northlake Blvd., West Palm Beach. Adults $10, children $5. Reservations required. Information: 561-804-4985; wpb.org

5. The Symphonia 'Journey to Discovery' series 'Europe's Shores'

South Florida’s premier chamber orchestra will present the fourth concert of its "Journey to Discover" earth- and environment-themed season with "Europe’s Shores." The performance will feature artists Alexander Platt and Less Roettges. Platt is music director of the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra, and the Wisconsin Philharmonic. Roettges has been the principal flute for the Jacksonville Symphony since 1986 and he is a member of the six-time Emmy award-winning All-Star Orchestra.

The concert is 3 p.m. Sunday, March 17. Roberts Theater, Saint Andrew’s School, 3900 Jog Road, Boca Raton. Tickets start at $55. Information: 561-376-3848; thesymphonia.org

Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

The Florida Atlantic men's basketball team is looking at a second straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament. How will they follow up last year's incredible Final Four run?

It's been a very different season for the Owls. Despite coach Dusty May returning a lot of last year's team, including leading scorer Johnell Davis and 7-foot-1 center Vladislav Goldin, FAU has lost twice as many games as they did heading into March Madness last year. That said, they're still a robust 24-7 (14-4 in AAC) and enter conference championship week comfortably in the tournament, according to bracket experts.

Heading into the American Athletic Conference Tournament, FAU is No. 34 in NET ranking and 2-2 in Quad 1 games, the ones that weigh heaviest in March Madness seeding. The Owls' biggest win of the season came in a double-overtime thriller against No. 7 Arizona, but they're not the top seed in the their new conference because of a February road loss to in-state rival USF.

IT'S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY's basketball tournament bracket contests for a chance at $1 million prize.

Looking ahead to the NCAA Tournament, bracketologists are putting FAU around the same No. 9 seed that they were last season. Bracketville has FAU as the No. 9 seed in the East Region and taking on No. 8 Northwestern in the first round. BracketWAG.com places the Owls as the No. 10 seed in the Midwest Region, where they would open against No. 7 Nevada. Bracketologists.com, which seeds teams solely on their NET rankings, has Florida Atlantic as a 9-seed facing 8-seed Nevada.

IT'S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY's basketball tournament bracket contests for a chance at $1 million prize.

Here's a look at FAU's tournament résumé as of Tuesday afternoon, plus a look at national experts' March Madness projections:

FAU basketball résumé, NET ranking

NET ranking: 34

KenPom ranking: 37

Quad 1 record: 2-2

Quad 2 record: 8-3

Quad 3 record: 8-0

Quad 4 record: 6-2

ESPN bracketology projection for Florida Atlantic University basketball

ESPN's Joe Lunardi updated his bracket projection Tuesday morning. He has FAU as the No. 9 seed in the Midwest Region. The Owls would play Texas in Indianapolis in the first round with No. 1 overall seed Purdue likely waiting in the second round.

CBS Sports bracketology projection for FAU basketball

CBS Sports' Jerry Palm has bracket projects Monday morning. In it, the Owls are the No. 8 seed in the East Region playing TCU in Brooklyn in the first round. No. 1 seed UConn would be their likely second-round opponent.

USA TODAY bracketology projection for FAU basketball

Paul Myerberg, Erick Smith and Eddie Timanus of USA TODAY updated their bracket projections Tuesday. They have FAU as the No. 9 seed in the Midwest Region facing Texas in Indianapolis in the first round. They would likely face No. 1 seed Purdue in the second round.

Andy Katz bracketology projection for FAU basketball

Andy Katz of NCAA.com released his final bracket projections Tuesday morning. He has FAU at the No. 9 seed in the Midwest Region facing No. 8 Texas in a first-round game with No. 1 seed Purdue likely awaiting the winner.

Sporting News bracketology projection for FAU basketball

Bill Bender of The Sporting News put out his latest bracket projections Tuesday. He slots FAU as a No. 8 seed but doesn't have a full mock bracket. "This scenario assumes the Owls snag an at-large bid," Bender wrote. "Does FAU really want to test the bubble?"

Fox Sports bracketology projection for FAU basketball

Mike DeCourcy of Fox Sports updated his bracket projections Tuesday. He said FAU is a No. 8 seed but doesn't have a full mock bracket.

What's next for FAU basketball?

Florida Atlantic enters the American Athletic Conference tournament as the No. 2 seed. The Owls' first game is 7 p.m. Friday, March 15 after a double-bye. The game will air on ESPNU and can be streamed on fuboTV.

FAU basketball schedule

BOCA RATON, Fla. —

Three residents of suburban Boca Raton are accused of crimes so horrific, even the judge in their first court appearance admitted to being shaken.

“You shocked the court’s conscience, which is, frankly, a difficult proposition,” Judge Donald Hafele said from the bench.

Walquira Cassini and her boyfriend, Ryan Londono, are accused of not only sexually abusing two young boys for years but also of recording the abuse and streaming it live online so people could pay to watch.

Boca Raton woman, son and boyfriend charged with child sex abuse, livestreaming performances

Cassini’s adult son, Matthew Cassini, is also accused of sexually abusing the boys.

“I hear about this every day of my life,” said Cherie Benjoseph.

Benjoseph is the director of National Outreach and Education at the Center for Child Counseling in Palm Beach County.

“The reality is that sexual abuse knows no bounds, and it can happen in the comfort of our own community,” she said.

Benjoseph said one in 13 children will report being sexually abused before the age of 18.

She pointed out that statistic barely scratches the surface since so much abuse goes unreported.

She said 90% of the time, the abuser is someone the child knows and trusts.

Sixty percent of the time, it’s a family member.

Trio accused of sexual battery on minors in Palm Beach County

“We can’t be afraid to get educated,” Benjoseph said. “Because educated is the best thing in prevention.”

Terry Lyles believes education is also the key to recovery.

“They have to be able to realize that what happened to them was not their fault,” Lyles said. “It was an abuse. And that abuse has to be processed.”

Lyles is a psychologist based in Palm Beach County.

He treats children who have been victims of sexual abuse.

He said he tries to teach them how to reclaim their lives.

“Life changes us. It doesn’t have to stop us from living our lives,” he said. “It’s just that we have to live a different life because of it.”

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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Four Palm Beach County cities — Boca Raton, Delray Beach, West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach — rank in the top 10 of 29 largest municipalities in the state for least expensive cost of living, according to a study by FloridaRentals.com.

Conversely, Tampa is ranked as the most expensive city with Miami the only South Florida in tyhe top 10.

Categories are leisure, groceries, clothing, transport, utilities, bills, child care, salaries. These factors were weighted against the average annual personal income in each city to create an index of the cheapest cities to live in Florida.

The least expensive city was Hollywood with a score of 61.29 followed by Fort Myers in second (60.19), Boca Raton third (59.76), Bradenton fourth (69.64), Melbourne fifth (58.72), Delray Beach sixth (57.59), West Palm Beach seventh (57.31), Boynton Beach eighth (57.26), Deerfield Beach ninth (56.32). Palm Coast 10th (56.20).

The 10 most expensive cities are: Tampa 29th (36.07), Gainesville 28th (41.76), Orlando 27th (44.48), Miami 26th (45.25), Sarasota 25th (47.39), Clearwater 24th (47.64), Kissimmee 23rd (48.71), Ocala 22nd (49.14), Penacola 21st (50.06), St. Petersburg 20th (50.25).

In the middle of the pack are: Capal Coral 11th least expensive (55.33), Deltona 12th (54.93), Port St. Lucie 13th (54.80), Daytona Beach 14th (53.67), Winter Haven 15th (52.52), Fort Lauderdale 16th (52.39), Tallahassee 17th (51.81), Lakeland 18th (50.64), Jacksonville 19th (50.60).

Boca Raton scores highest for clothing and utilities and bills. In Boca Raton, the average cost of a mobile phone monthly plan with calls and 10GB+ data is $43.

Tampa's leisure and transport are the costliest along the cities in the state.

The study noted housing costs can vary across Florida, with Miami, Tampa and Orlando tending to have higher housing costs compared to the more rural cities which offer more affordable housing options. Cost of utilities including electricity, water, and air conditioning, can also vary based on location, usage and the time of year.

“Florida is known for having a relatively diverse cost of living that can vary significantly depending on each specific city," a spokesperson for FloridaRentals.com said in a news releasae. "Whilst Hollywood’s annual personal income per capita is fairly high, at $73,522, other factors rank extremely well against this figure, which is why it ranks at the top spot. Fort Myers’ annual personal income per capita is $62,885 and its cheapest factor is clothing, with the average cost price of a summer dress in a high street retailer is $25.

The study used data from Census.gov, Numbeo and U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the data set can befoun at Cheapest cities in Florida to live.xlsx (sharepoint.com)

Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.