BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic University’s football team will host its 2021 Spring Game at FAU Stadium on March 27 at 3 p.m. The game will be open to the general public with limited capacity.
This year’s Spring Game will be unlike most in the program’s history as it will be a traditional game rather than pitting the offense versus the defense (the only other time in the program’s 21-year history was 2018).
Willie Taggart, FAU’s head football coach, recognizes that the annual Spring Game is important not only to the players, coaches and staff, but also to the fans. He has structured the time leading up to the game, which began with coach selection, to also feature free agency, a draft and special interviews.
Taggart began this process by placing each of the assistant coaches’ name in a hat. The team’s video coordinator Clayton Leach then drew two names: John Bills, the newly-hired tight ends coach and Chris Perkins, the Owls’ running backs coach. The aforementioned coaches will serve as the head coaches.
Each head coach will have the opportunity to sign one “free agent” for each side of the ball. Those names must be submitted by 5 p.m. Thursday, March 18 to Spring Game Commissioner Willie Taggart.
Taggart will then preside over the draft, which will include which team will be awarded the first pick. Following the overall first pick selection, the other team will receive the next two selections. The draft, which will be held following this Saturday’s scrimmage (March 20), will include four rounds and 12 picks per round.
The Owls’ practice schedule also will include time for the two teams to practice individually in an effort to develop schemes and game plans.
The entire football staff has been split among the two teams. The winning team of the 2021 spring game will be treated to a special meal.
Tuesday’s Practice Report
TAGGART’S TAKE
What Stood out about your first scrimmage?
“You know it was the first scrimmage,” said Taggart. “I think we had about 26 missed tackles, too many. I say that but we had over 100 plays in the scrimmage. It was a typical first scrimmage where we have a lot of little things that we need to clean up. We started that today. Cleaning some of those things up. I have been stressing to our players and coaches about their assignments and alignments.”
SPEED ZONE
Something new to the Owls’ practice is announcing players to break 20 mph. Players wear a vest, that among other things, measures their speeds throughout the day. The moment a player hits the speed of 20 mph, a horn sounds and the strength coaches drop and do a regiment of pushups. Teja Young returned to the speed zone on Tuesday.
WHAT’S NEXT
FAU will return to the practice fields Thursday morning. To follow the team socially, visit @faufootball or for the most up-to-date information go to www.fausports.com.
