Fall Previews 8 of 63: Florida Atlantic

Florida Atlantic:

Head Coach: Charlie Partridge (3-9)
2014 Record: (3-9, 2-6 Conference USA)
Basic Offense: Multiple
Basic Defense: 4-3 Multiple
Starters Returning: 14

Offense: 

Jaquez Johnson

The Owls are returning the starting signal caller from last year's 101st ranked offense in the nation in senior Jaquez Johnson (120/513/7TD rushing, 182-315/2,215/17TD passing). The Weurffel Award Watch List honoree has made 22 career starts for the Owls and easily held on to his starting spot during spring drills. Redshirt freshman Jason Driskell, brother of former Florida and current Louisiana Tech quarterback Jeff Driskell, looked good in spring practice and heads to fall camp entrenched at the backup. The biggest wildcard is the announcement of Wake Forest transfer Tyler Cameron to Florida Atlantic. The graduate played sparingly for the Demon Deacons with only 40 pass attempts during his career. He comes to Florida Atlantic with 2 years of eligibility remaining and able to play immediately.

At running back, Florida Atlantic has a pair of backs in junior Jay Warren (121/571/2TD) and sophomore Greg Howell (50/253/1TD) that should be ready to carry a majority of the load for 2014's 62nd ranked rushing attack. With the rushing ability of Johnson at quarterback, the Owls have a solid, if unspectacular ability to run the football. Senior Jeremy Gaskins (19/55/0TD) will be needed to find a role as a third back with limited carries and the ability to play special teams and play as a back. Redshirt freshman Camden Krohn as well as incoming freshmen Kerrith White, Kal-El Williams, and Trey Rodriguez could also see time on the field in some capacity for the Owls. Honestly, running backs tend to be interchangeable in this offense and unless any single running back stands out on the field, expect a running back by committee.

Heading into the 2015 season, Florida Atlantic has a duo of tight ends that have yet to produce on the field but have the ability to be threats in the passing game and able blockers for the Owl rushing attack. Sophomore Nate Terry (3/55/1TD) is the leader in the clubhouse for the starting job and is could prove to be a red zone threat with his 6-6 height. Redshirt sophomore Dustin Bowens impressed in the spring and jumped into the two-deep as the backup tight end heading into the upcoming season. The 6-4, 260 pound Bowens has the NFL ready size for tight end but is a bit raw with his only real experience on special teams heading into the upcoming season. Senior Michael Harrop (1/12/0TD) is the only other tight end expected to see playing time on offense this fall.

In an offense that is primarily ran out of a three receiver set, the Owls return both outside receivers for the 2015 season. Senior Jenson Stoshak (37/508/2TD) leads the way at the X-receiver spot after finishing the 2014 season as the team's second leading receiver. All of the remaining wide receivers had fewer combined catches than Stoshak's 37 last fall. Z-receiver Kalib Woods (16/223/2TD) is the only other receiver with starting experience and should be able to take the next step forward as a redshirt sophomore this fall. In a bit of a surprise the W-receiver starting slot is currently held by junior Tony Thomas. The surprising reason for Thomas' jump into starting territory is that fact that he did not see any playing time as a freshman or sophomore but has shown something in the spring that has the FAU coaching staff talking. Kamrin Solmon (2/28/0TD), redshirt freshman Calvain Holmes, and senior Derek Moise (10/74/1TD) all should see significant playing time as the "top 6" of the Owl receiving corps. Henry Bussey (4/88/0TD) could also find his way into the offensive huddle this fall to give the top receivers a rest.

Minkinson Marsaille

Even with the odd loss of one projected starter for the upcoming season, the offensive line seems to be the best part of the Owl offense this fall. At left tackle, sophomore Reggie Bain (12 career starts) is expected to retain his starting job after making all 12 starts as a freshman. If his trajectory goes as planned, Bain could be one of the few FAU players to come close to making 50 college starts. Backing up Bain is redshirt freshman Byres Hickmon. Moving in to left guard is another returning starter in senior Mikingson Marsaille (13 career starts). The 6-6, 330 pound guard made all 12 starts in 2014 and even one as a sophomore in the 2013 season. He is a large man and should have the size to keep the left middle of the line clean. Redshirt sophomore Jakobi Smith and redshirt freshman Roman Fernandez will give the Owls depth at left guard but neither is expected to see much playing time on the line with Marsaille back this fall. At center is maybe the most interesting story line for FAU heading into the 2015 season. Sophomore Joseph Gold (5 career starts) was slated to become the full time starter at center but decided to instead quit the team and move back home. It isn't rare to see players give up the game but it is rare to see a young player expected to start in the fall do so. As a result, redshirt freshman Roman Fernandez will take over in the middle this fall. Heading to the right side of the line, junior Dillon DeBoer (18 career starts) is in a battle with redshirt sophomore Antonyo Woods for the starting right guard spot. Deboer is expected to win the battle and is experienced but Woods, while a bit raw, is a bulldozer at 6-3, 285 pounds and could have the chance to turn into a great offensive lineman in the future. Out at right guard, UCF transfer Kelly Parfitt finally gets to strap on his helmet for Florida Atlantic and should be a very good right tackle. Redshirt freshman Matt Weiner will be there in case of injury but needs to put on some weight to not get pushed around in the trenches.

Defense: 

Trevon Coley

The Owls are very experienced on the defensive front heading into the 2015 season with 46 of a possible 48 starts from 2014 returning. At the two defensive end positions, Robinson Eugene (25 tkl, 3 tfl, 2 sacks) and Trey Hendrickson (32 tkl, 10 tfl, 5 sacks) are both back after making a combined 17 starts last fall. The two are built for the grind of the college football season and have the ability to use their combination of size and speed to wreck havoc. Redshirt sophomores Nick Internicola and Haiden Nagel (21 tkl, 2 tfl, 2 sacks) are expected to see plenty of playing time with Nagel actually starting six games in the 2014 season. Internicola has yet to play a meaningful snap for the Owls. In the middle, Lombardi Award Watch List member Trevon Coley (53 tkl, 6.5 tfl, 4 sacks) was an honorable mention All-CUSA honoree last season and at 300 pounds, will see a lot of double teams this fall. The player that should be most excited by the attention given to Coley is fellow starter Ray Ellis (14 tkl, 1 tfl, 1 sack). The sophomore should be able to have many more one on one situations with the offense geared to block Coley and should see jumps in tackles for loss and sacks this fall. Backups Brandin Bryant (13 tkl, 2.5 tfl, 2 sacks) and Denzel Whitfield (19 tkl, 1 tfl) as well as junior Shalom Ogbonda (21 tkl, 0.5 tfl) should all find their way on to the field and play significant snaps for the Owls defense.

The Owls are much less experienced just behind the defensive line in the linebacker corps with only Robert Relf (65 tkl, 1.5 tfl) making double digit starts in 2014. Relf is the elder statesman at linebacker in experience and should be able to at least recreate his 2014 season as the team's fourth leading tackler. Redshirt freshman Kris Harris will back up Relf and may even fight for playing time this fall. Senior Freedom Whitfield (11 tkl, 1.5 tfl) looks to spend his final year at FAU in the starting lineup after making one start in 2014. at 6-2, 200 pounds, Whitfield can get pushed around inside but has the athleticism to make plays in the backfield after avoiding blocks. The senior must find a way to improve his 1.5 tackles for loss total in 2014. Another redshirt freshman, this time Jake Stewart, will back up Whitfield this fall. Filling out the linebacker corp is the battle between sophomores Nate Ozdemir (15 tkl, 0.5 tfl) and Jerrad Ward (29 tkl, 1 tfl). The two have battle through the spring with this position battle expected to extend deep into fall drills before a starter is determined.

Cre'von LeBlanc

The Florida Atlantic secondary does not have many returning starters from 2014 but in senior cornerback Cre'von LeBlanc (71 tkl, 1 tfl, 2 INT), the Owls have a good one. The 2014 Honorable mention All-CUSA member earned the respect of Conference USA and has been chosen to the preseason All-CUSA team. Redshirt sophomore Ronnie Scott will back up LeBlanc but has yet to see the playing field for the Owls. At the other cornerback slot, sophomore Raekwon Williams (26 tkl) is looking to build off of a solid freshman season. Williams is young and talented and beat out junior Reggie Brown (5 tkl) for the starting job heading into fall camp. While not a full time starter in 2014, senior Sharrod Neasman (59 tkl, 3 tfl, 2 INT) saw significant playing time last fall and should be able to slide into the starting lineup full time for the Owls. A lot will be expected of Neasman as he will have more run game responsibilities than any other member of the secondary at his strong safety position. Redshirt freshman Jake Stoshak is second on the depth chart and has impressed going into the 2015 season. At centerfield of the FAU defense is a battle between Lester Thomas (2 tkl) and Anthony Hamilton (20 tkl). Hamilton is more experienced but Thomas had the better spring and heads into fall camp with the lead for the starting job. Coming in for nickel situations, converted wide receiver DJ Juste and redshirt freshman Marquese Dudley-Gordon should give the Owls an ability to feel comfortable playing five or even six defensive backs versus the explosive offenses of Conference USA.

Special Teams: 

The Owls look solid in the kicking game heading into the season with returning starters at both punter and kicker. Ray Guy Award Watch List member Dalton Schomp had an impressive 2014 season with 50 punts, a 45.4 average, 8 landing inside the 20, and 13 going over 50 yards. Schomp was named to the 2nd team All-CUSA team last fall at punter. Ryan Rickel (18 punts, 35.4 average, 10 inside the 20) will back up Schomp and may be used in specialized situations. At kicker, junior Greg Joseph comes back after a sophomore season that saw him perform 60 kickoffs with 23 touchbacks, go 14-20 on field goals attempts with a long of 43 yards, and make 34-35 PAT attempts. Redshirt freshman Landon Scheer will back up Joseph and should see little playing time this fall.

Overall: 

After a 3-9 season that saw the Owls lose five straight down the stretch, the hope of a .500 record and bowl consideration is on the mind of Florida Atlantic. The Owls have not been to a bowl since the 2008 season, part of back to back bowl seasons, and there is hope within the organization that this year could be the year that drought is ended.

FAU starts the season with three consecutive non-conference games at Tulsa, home versus Miami, and home versus Buffalo. The Owls crushed Tulsa early in the 2014 season 50-21 and match up well versus the American Athletic Conference program. Even though it is on the road, I expect the Owls to represent Conference USA proud and start the season 1-0 with a road win. The Owls host ACC foe Miami at home, looking to avenge a 34-6 loss in the only previous meeting in 2013. Alas, that will not happen as Miami is just too talented and should cruise to a win over FAU. With a 1-1 record heading into week three, the Owls host MAC foe Buffalo in a game that will go a long way in determining how each team's season goes. The heat of a mid-September will be tough for the Bulls to overcome and FAU should improve to 2-1 heading into the beginning of conference play.

Wins will be hard to come by in an improved Conference USA but the Owls should be Charlotte and FIU to get to four wins on the season. I know that FAU was drilled by FIU 38-10 in 2014 but the Golden Panthers are such a dumpster fire that I think FAU returns the favor this fall. I cannot see a scenario in which the Owls defeat Rice, Marshall, WKU, late season non-conferrnce foe Florida or MTSU even though they defeated WKU at home in 2014. I think the Hilltoppers come aiming for revenge and win easily over Florida Atlantic.

UTEP and Old Dominion are the swing game for FAU with the chance to get to 6-6 on the season if they sweep the two teams. I expect the running game of UTEP to be too much for the Owls to handle with UTEP breaking open a close game in the fourth quarter to cruise to a double digit win. In a game that will determine the fourth place spot in CUSA East Division, I think the Owls take out Old Dominion to finish just short of .500. Prediction: 5-7.