BOCA RATON, Fla. – As Florida Atlantic University’s football team continues its prep for the 2022 season and the final season of Conference USA, the Owls used Saturdays’ practice time for a situational scrimmage.
The scrimmage is intended to push the boundaries of the players, coaches, and staff. It is an opportunity to work on getting the plays in, executing those plays and homing in on Saturday, Aug. 27 starters and replacements.
Here is an excerpt from Friday’s media availability.
QUOTABLE
Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Willie Taggart
On how the experienced O-line helps the run game
“I’ve been really impressed with our running game here in training camp. Those guys (offensive line) have plenty of experience. To me, those guys are the key to what we are going to be able to do this year. We have some depth there now, that’s really good for us, and our running backs are running the ball like you’re supposed to run. It’s been good to see all of those guys run the ball hard and with an attitude and helping us establish an identity as an offense.”
On what fans can look forward to
“You’ll continue to see our defense play really well, probably more aggressive. I think you’ll see an offense that’s exciting and that can play consistent, which is something we need to do. I think you’ll see us score some points.”
On setting the depth chart
“We still want them to compete…What we’re trying to do is develop and create more depth. In the past, that’s something that hurt our football team, not enough depth.”
On the receiver room
“We have some really good talent. They’re young, but they’re very talented. Each day, you’re seeing one of those young guys step up and make plays. From day one, J-Platt (Jayshon Platt) has been making plays. He’s just a natural with it. Wyatt Sullivan has done a great job for us playing the tight end position, and then ‘Ace’ Cobb (A’ceon) has stepped up and made some plays. Jahmal [Edrine], he’s making plays like he’s been here. Jordan Young has been a great addition to our receiver room. LaJohntay [Wester] is more mature now. He’s one of those guys that we played young, and he has the COVID year so he’s still young but has a lot of experience and we expect big things out of him. And then [Je’Quan] Burton. I can’t say enough about Burton and what he brings to the table. A guy that I’m really excited about is Tony Johnson. All he does is make plays and do things the right way. He’ll be someone that everybody will be excited about.”
On Redshirt Sophomore WR Javion Posey
“He’s a very talented young man and he’s having a heck of a training camp. You can tell he’s put in a lot of work this offseason. We expect good things out of Javion.”
On walk-ons receiving scholarships
“We just allow everybody to compete, make it fair. We always tell our guys that we’re going to play our best guys. Allowing all of those guys to compete is fair and you get the best out of all of them and showing those guys you believe in them too. When you make it a competitive environment, you find guys like that and it’s a great thing.”
On not calling plays
“I’m much more comfortable with it. I think having [offensive coordinator] Brent Dearmon has been really good for us on that side of the ball. He’s been awesome this offseason. I feel really good about the offensive staff and the staff in general. I feel really good about it all and it allows me to be a part of a little bit of everything and sit in every meeting.”
On freshman outside linebacker Jaylen Wester
“I think we’ll hear a lot about him this year. He’ll be one of the young men that help us as the season goes. Each and every day, he’s making a play and stepping up. He’s one of those guys that wakes up and says ‘I’m gonna have a great day’ every day, he brings that energy, puts a smile on his face, and guys respond off of that. I’m excited he’s on our team and excited with the growth he’s had so far.”
Graduate offensive lineman Brendan Bordner
On how camp is going, and the o-line meshing
“It’s been nice. We’ve been putting new stuff in every day. Coach [Ed] Warriner stays on us, makes sure that even if we put something new in, that what we put in before we don’t lose track of that. I think the o-line has been gelling well. There’s been a lot of rotation and depth and competitiveness going on in the room, but I think a lot of guys are getting comfortable playing next to each other, so it’s been pretty good.”
On the run game
“We work on our combination blocks. I think Coach Warriner does a great job of that. I think we have bought in. We follow his teaching. We’ve been working really hard to move the line of scrimmage and get up to the second level. The scheme that we put in works to our strengths.”
On being with the team in the spring
“That was huge for me. I didn’t want to come in during camp. I’ve seen guys try to do that at Rutgers. You’re just kind of behind the eight-ball because you’re trying to get your feet wet and learn and ball at the same time. I think coming in early, building relationships with guys before camp, I think that was huge for me.”
On which young player stands out
“We only have one young guy in the room with Okino [King], but I think he’s come along. I think the growth that he’s had since the beginning of Spring football until now has been pretty phenomenal.”
On which running backs have impressed
“The whole room, no matter who’s back there, we feel pretty comfortable with them running the ball. I think Larry [McCammon III]’s a guy that has had a great camp, but that’s not to take away from what any of the other guys have been doing in that room.”
On QB N’Kosi Perry
“Some of the throws he makes are phenomenal. He’s got to be one of, if not the best, quarterback I’ve played with in my career. It’s been great having him back there.”
Freshman Defensive Back Daemon Hill
On standing out in camp
“I’m just coming here to compete, to get this starting job, to work so I that I can get to that next level. Showing people back at home what I can do, and I’m home playing football so everyone can come see me play.”
On what he has enjoyed so far in camp
“Coming out here and getting to know all the team, because I’m new here, just getting to know people and coming out here and working with them so we can get this thing going this season.”
On building relationships with players
“Every day I talk with somebody new. We’re laughing with each other. Stuff like that helps us create that bond.”
On competing in the secondary
“We come out here and we compete every day. We have little goals in the room that we want to accomplish every day. We all want to get out there and get on the field and play, so everybody has to come out and make plays.”
On which player in the defensive back room impresses him
“J-Will [Jayden Williams] has really been impressing me. I can really trust him that’s he’s going to do his job, make plays, he’s going to play hard.”
On which WR stands out
“I don’t guard LaJohntay [Wester] too much, but I’ve been playing with him since high school and little league, so I just know if I have to guard him, he’s going to do his thing every time, so I got to bring it to him every time.”
Redshirt Freshman WR Jahmal Edrine
On how camp is going and the wide receiver room
“Camp is going great for us so far. I feel like we’ve really grown as a room since last year. And for myself personally, I’ve grown a lot as a player. With Coach G [Billy Gonzalez], he has really brought the best out of all of us, me included. I feel like the receivers are going to do it this season. We’re going to be the ones that step up and take over Conference-USA.”
On competition with young receivers
“Those guys are hungry. They’re learning every day. This camp has really been about growth. Those guys are growing just as everyone else is growing. They’re really giving us competition.”
On what he brings to the receiving room
“I add physicality to the room. Everybody has their thing. We have a lot going on in our room.”
On returning with more playing time
“It feels great. I’m out here now. I’m ready to show everybody what I can do.”
On his relationship with QB N’Kosi Perry
“I love all of the quarterbacks, N’Kosi especially. I hang out with N’Kosi outside of football. We’ve been throwing all offseason, all camp. That’s my guy.”
On having something to prove
“I really wanted to be a true Freshman [last year], have that under my name, but God works in mysterious ways. This year is my year. I’m happy to be out here for sure.”
SEASON OPENER
FAU will open the 2022 season on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, versus Charlotte at FAU Stadium. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. and will be televised on CBSSN and will air locally on Sports640 AM South Florida.
TICKETS
To purchase FAU tickets, call 1-866-FAU-OWLS or click HERE or HERE. Individual tickets are now on sale as well. Call the FAU ticket office, today, to secure your tickets. Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com, or through football’s Twitter and Instagram accounts @FAUFootball.
