Florida Atlantic Owls 2018 Football Preview

Florida Atlantic Owls 2018 Football Preview

Opening Statement: It took one full season, and after a bumpy 1-3 start, Lane Kiffin completely changed the trajectory of FAU football, as the Owls rattled off on a 10 game winning streak that carries into the 2018 season, and they finished 11-3 with a bowl win over Akron that was never even close. There are some changes, but in short order, Kiffin has built a roster that can sustain losses and still be massively competitive, as they should be in CUSA play this fall. With Marshall and FIU looking like the only teams within range to press the Owls in the CUSA East, FAU football looks like it has the chance to soar high once again.

Breakdown Offense: The Owls scored 40.6 points per game last fall, and broke the 40 point plane 8 times last fall. The scoring offense was good enough to be ranked 8th nationally on the season, and there is no reason to expect much of a fall off from that peak this fall.

FAU passed for 213.1 yards per game last fall, but there is some change here after Jeff Driskel announced that he would be retiring from the sport to seek his degree in January. Daniel Parr has also moved on, leaving this job wide open for battle in the fall. I fully expect De'Andre Johnson to latch onto the job and run with it when fall camp breaks.

Devin Singletary broke out big time in 2017, as he rushed for 1920 yards and a whopping 32 TDs on the season. He averaged 6.38 yards per carry, while carrying 21.5 times per game and averaging 137.14 yards per game. He will be a key cog in the machine this fall, especially with a developing QB situation brewing. Gregoy Howell, the backup who rushed for 740 yards last fall, has moved on. Kerrith Shyte, Jr. should have the inside angle on the backup job as he rushed for 347 yards and 2 scores while averaging 6.31 yards per carry. Gerald Hearns, Tyrek Tisdale, and a host of others return to add depth to what should be a very good corps this fall.

Willie White returns at WR after posting 56-657-6 last fall, and should be the primary short and mid-range target this season. He averaged 11.73 yards per catch. Things do get a bit murky after that, as the Owls lose Kalib Woods Kamrin Solomon, and John Franklin III. DeAndre McNeil should get a bigger role this fall, as he caught 23 passes as a junior. Tavaris Harrison is pushing for a starting job as well, but would end up as the 4th receiver as well. D'Anfernee McGriff and LaDante Harris provide some depth to the unit.

Harrison Bryant caught 32 passes at TE last season, and returns to action, but he could be pushed for reps by John Raine, who caught just 6 passes last season, but came on strong in the spring.

Reggie Bain (LT), Tarrick Thomas (C), Will Tuihalamaka (RG), and Brandon Walton (RT) all have locked up jobs on the line as we leave the spring, but the LG job is wide open, and that battle rages into fall camp. Ean Biancardi is the depth at tackle, but depth otherwise has not been determined, leaving the line an area of some minor concern.

Breakdown Defense: The Owls allowed just 22.7 points per game on the season, and are primed to be solid again in year 2 under the Lane Train. They allowed 230.7 yards passing per game, while allowing 158.56 yards rushing per game.

The line looks set, as Hunter Snyder and Leighton McCarthy have the DE spots locked down heading into fall camp. They combined for 17 TFLs last fall, and could be one of the best edge duos in CUSA this fall. Snyder tied for the team lead with 6 sacks, while McCarthy added 4.5. Depth could be an issue at DE, so this is a position that bears some watching as time moves forward in the season.

William Davis and Steven Legett are the starting DTs. They combined for 8 TFLs, and should provide good pressure up the middle this fall. Kevin McCrary, a junior, provides some depth in a rotational capacity.

Azeez Al-Shaair is back at LB this fall, and led the Owls with a whopping 147 tackles last fall. He totaled 10.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 4 PBUs, 4 QB hurries, and a forced fumble, and is one of the most exciting players returning to college football defensively this fall. Rashad Smith joins him, and finished 2nd on the team with 99 tackles as a sophomore last season. He led the team with 12 TFLs, and had 6 sacks. He added 5 PBUs and 4 QB hurries. Herb Miller is the Nickel Backer, and he finished with 4 PBUs and 3 QB hurries last fall. He totaled 35 tackles. Khantrell Burden and Hosea Barnwell V are the backups at LB.

Chris Tooley and Shelton Lewis are the starters at CB. Lewis finished with 8 PBUs, while Tooley added another 5 last fall. They also finished with 4 INTs each in what was a deep, rich secondary. Jalen Young is back at S, and is one of the more talented secondary players in the nation. He led the Owls with 7 INTs, and he added 77 total tackles. Andrew Soroh also returns at S after recording 47 tackles. Korel Smith brings depth at CB, while James Pierre and Zyon Gilbert are the backups at S.

Breakdown Special Teams: Greg Joseph (PK) and Ryan Rickel (P) both moved on after last fall. Vladimir Rivas looks like the starting PK this fall, and and Tyler Gilley looks to be the Punter. gilley could handle both jobs if needed.

Whyte averaged 24.7 yards per return on kicks last fall, and returns to the job, while Young returns on PR duty after averaging a strong 12.44 yard per return average.

Final Analysis: On offense, questions at QB, WR and on the line need to be cleared up, while the defense has some depth issues up front. Otherwise, this team looks primed to be very good for a long while. Recruiting is heading upwards, depth is solid most places, and there are big time play makers on both sides of the football and in the return game as well. Kiffin has built the Owls into an immediate G5 power, and if he sticks around long enough, the Owls look like a team that can eventually challenge for an NY6 bowl down the road. The Owls have to travel to Marshall on October 20th, which looks like it could be for all the marbles in the Eastern Division of CUSA football. Singletary is one of the most exciting players in the nation at RB, and the LB corps looks outstanding. Jalen Young may be one of the best Safeties in the nation that nobody knows about.