BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University Owls suited up, traveled less than a half mile to the Tom Oxley Center Practice Fields, the former home of the football team, and then turned in their final Monday practice prior to school starting.
The blue skies and humid day saw the team run through its normal individual drills and several team periods, but also saw a heavy dose of special teams work with more established ones and twos.
QUOTABLE
Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Willie Taggart
On this week of practice
“I think after the scrimmage on Saturday, we have a really good idea of who we’re going to roll with going into Charlotte. We still have some pieces, and some guys can still add to that group this week. We have to hone in on some things and sharpen up on some things. It’s going to be a big week for a lot of guys, a big week for all of us and a big week of putting everything together for next week.”
On making sure players are ready
“We basically went through an entire spring practice already. Guys have got a lot of work in. For us as coaches, it’s making sure we’re giving them the right work, giving them the right amount of time out on the football field and resting their bodies as well. We still have a lot of work to do in getting some of these younger guys some more reps. Like I said the other day, a big part of what we’re doing is developing, and we’ve got to continue to do that as we finish up this week.”
On who stood out last scrimmage
“There’s too many to name. You had some good and some bad in the scrimmage. It was more good than bad, and typically that’s the way it is, but it’s good to get out there under the lights and see some guys show up and make some plays. I will name one guy that I was really impressed with. I’m going to name Wyatt [Sullivan]. He’s coming along. He’s going to be a really good football player for us. It’s cool to see the young man get better.”
On TE Sullivan
“He’s going to play tight end for us. He’s very athletic. He can cause some mismatches for people. We’re planning to use him in a lot of ways. He can run, he can catch, and I’ve been really impressed with his blocking.”
On a day to finalize the depth chart
“I wouldn’t necessarily say there’s a certain date. We’re going to have another scrimmage on Saturday, but this week we’re just continuing to get better at what we do. We’ll be working on Charlotte as well, but a big part of it is getting really good at what we do. After this past scrimmage, our coaches have gone back and watched it and are making sure we’re getting better at the things we do well and the things we don’t like we’ll get rid of.”
On the running back room
“I think a lot of guys are putting in the work in for coaches and the players. They’re seeing the guys every day and who’s making plays consistently and running the ball like we all like them to do. I think a lot of those guys are putting their stamp on some things now. But it’s good that we have a good group of running backs. All of them can play, that’s a good thing about it, and all of them can do a good job when they get in there.”
Freshman OLB Jaleel McRae
On how camp is going so far
“Camp is going great for me. My main thing coming in this year is just being consistent, everyday coming out here doing my job trying to lead the defense. As a unit, I just feel like we’re good just trying to come out here and be consistent.”
On the linebacker room
“It’s going to be great as a unit. You don’t have to go out there and play 70 snaps, you go out there and give your best for 45-50 snaps. Going into the fourth quarter, everybody is going to be juiced up and to their full potential. Just having that depth is going to help us this year.”
On Defensive Coordinator Todd Orlando
“Coach Orlando is a great coach. He just wants the best from me every day. Our bond is really starting to connect this fall camp. I really do trust Coach Orlando and everything that he’s telling us to do, and I try to be consistent on everything he tells us to do.”
On blitzing
“I love to blitz. I try to get to the quarterback, and I love the scheme of this defense. Just putting pressure on the quarterback and having him think a lot pre snap is going to be good for our defense.”
Graduate Student TE Adam Boselli
On how camp is going
“We were starting to install some Charlotte stuff, so we’re really excited, but camp so far is going really well.”
On the tight end room
“I think that Carter [Boatwright], Austin [Evans], and I have very similar skill sets. We all have been working on blocking a lot this fall camp because we are all natural route runners, so we’re just getting good at being able to block down linemen and then be able to be a vertical threat in the pass game.”
On the special teams unit
“Coach [Chad] Lunsford is doing an awesome job. We have a lot of excitement. I think we have a lot of guys that want to be there and that’s half of the battle.”
On Tight Ends/Special Teams Coach Chad Lunsford
“There’s no doubt that he wants to be there. He spent a lot of time away with his family and then having to rehab a knee injury, the grit and joy he shows being out there is really inspiring. It’s fun to be under him.”
On advice from his Hall of Fame father Tony Boselli
“He loves football, and he is very much a student of the game. He just tells me to give my best every day and then results kind of take care of it every day.”
ON THE FIELD
- Defensive back Michal Antoine, Jr. beat his receiver during one-on-one wide receiver/defensive back drills for an interception
- Wide receiver Omari Hayes won his battle with a nice reception
- During team drills quarterback N’Kosi Perry connected on several occasions with receiver Javion Posey, who continues to look more and more comfortable at the position. On one occasion, Posey had a nice catch and run for a big gain that drew praise
- The Owls then worked team red zone
- Between team sessions, the Owls continued to work on special teams, but devoted more time to it on Monday, including working on the punt team backed up in the end zone
- Defensive back Tyrell Jones recorded an interception and Teja Young had a pass breakup
- Zuberi Mobley turned in a strong day displaying just how talented the running back room is, and he followed it up on the next play by punching it in from seven yards out
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.