| 3/16/2024 | Football BOCA RATON, Fla. – Spring practice #3 had the new element of full pads and the Florida Atlantic Owls enjoyed the ability go to 100%.FAU also got its first small scrimmage of the spring season in with a more complete scrimmage scheduled for next Saturday, Mar. 23.COMPLETE ROSTER QUOTABLE Defensive Line Coach Roosevelt Maggitt On the importance of continuity within the staff “Just being able to have a better understanding of the playbook. We require and challenge our guys to master the playbook. Us having the same staff on defense and being able to teach those guys the same techniques and refine those techniques and fundamentals, it is a huge advantage for our guys going into spring just from a confidence standpoint.”On the newcomers “They have been great. Guys that can come in and have an understanding of our defense quickly. We started out with OTAs (Organized Team Activities), those guys did a good job at picking stuff up. As far as install, we were able to take some of those installs from OTAs and apply them to spring ball. Those guys are doing a great job of picking up where we left off.” Co-Defensive Coordinator/Cornerbacks Coach Brandon Harris On continuity within the staff “It has been awesome. The kids know the message, the expectations, and the standards. I think it has been kind of fun that our entire staff has been able to return for a second year, but our secondary staff is returning for our third year. A lot of times, we don’t even have to coach it anymore. The guys are finishing sentences for you. That part especially, if you can get not only the same group of players but same group of coaches as well. It is very encouraging.”On how the newcomers are blending in “They have done a wonderful job. Everyone that has come in here, they have walked right into Coach Herman’s [Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Tom Herman] message and what we are trying to get accomplished as a team. The returning guys, to their credit, they have done a great job of welcoming those guys with open arms. They do a good job inviting those guys in, helping them out, telling them what to expect before it happens. That has been a huge part of the jump more than anything because when you have guys that embrace the culture and want to help the new guys learn and come along, it happens really quick.” Redshirt Senior Defensive End Marlon Bradley On what he sees from this spring to be excited about “New faces. Shout out to Chisom [graduate defensive lineman Chisom Ifeanyi] and Kyler [graduate defensive back Kyler Laing]. I am seeing a lot of good stuff from them, a lot of effort. They just have to get used to the sun and everything. In South Florida, this was probably one of the better days we will get anyways.”On seeing the newcomers go through OTAs “The different perspectives from being on the field, being on the sideline, standing by my coach and having him tell them what to do, I am looking at it from a different standpoint. It is helping me understand the scheme better and what we have going on as a team and defense.”On recovering from injury “When I got hurt, it was more of a half glass full thing. I went through another one before, so this was a round two type thing. It is going smooth. Therapy is good. Shout out to Coach Joey (Guarascio), shout out to the training room for getting me right every day. We are coming back stronger than ever for sure.” Senior Wide Receiver Justin McKithen On switching positions from corner to receiver “I am back at receiver. I am excited to get back out there and help the offense put points on the board, help in any way I can. I am just happy to be back on the offensive side of the ball.”On the defensive back room “They definitely [get after it]. You can tell the difference between last year and this year, how much details in practice. Last year, sometimes we didn’t focus on small defense, but this year you can tell there is a focus on the smallest details.”On the wide receiver room “We have a completely different receiver group, so they are helping me get back into the receiver holes and zones, get back to my footwork which is different in offense and defense, learning the concepts. I like how they test me when I won’t expect it. Those types of things keep me on edge so I know what I am doing on the field.”On what he is most looking forward to this spring “Making this offensive explosive. That is every receiver in the room. We know last year didn’t go the way we wanted it to, but this year we know it is going to be completely different.” PRO DAY Florida Atlantic’s Pro Day is scheduled for Tuesday, Mar. 19, 2024. Participants: Evan Anderson, Je’Quan Burton, Tre Jackson III, Kobe Lewis, Jarron Morris, Romain “Smoke” Mungin, Chaz Neal, Marquice Robinson, Xavier Peters, and Johnny Ford (2022). GRIDIRON CLASSIC GOLF Join NILinParadise at the Gridiron Classic Golf Tournament, sponsored by GA Telesis. All proceeds directly support FAU student-athletes. Join the Owls for a day of golf, prizes and comraderie scheduled for Friday, April 25, 2024, at the Boca West Country Club. To register your foursome, click HERE. LADIES NIGHT Join the Owls on Tuesday, April 3, 2024, at 5 p.m. for “Ladies Night.” The event is sponsored by Grimes Events and Tents and is presented by NILinParadise,taking place at the Schmidt Family Complex. The evening is scheduled to include educational sessions on offensive, defensive and special teams strategies. Participants will have the opportunity to mingle with players, coaches, and fellow Lady Owl enthusiasts, while going through light drills and competitions as well as refreshments. All proceeds, including the $100 registration fee, will benefit Florida Atlantic’s football team. To register or for more details click HERE. SPRING GAME The Owls will conclude the 2024 spring practice season with a spring game slated for Saturday, April 13 at noon. The game will be played in FAU Stadium. COMPLETE SCHEDULE Click HERE. SEASON TICKETS To purchase season tickets, click HERE. FOLLOW THE TEAM Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com, or through football’s Twitter and Instagram accounts @FAUFootball. |
