Yahoo Sports FAU will have to lean on its experienced defense if it’s to snap string of losing seasons
This won’t be easy.
The Florida Atlantic Owls, who have suffered through three straight losing seasons and are just 19-26 since 2020, return only one starter on offense.
That returner is a good one – senior center Federico Maranges, who is a preseason first-team All-America Athletic Conference player. He is also ranked as the eighth-best NFL prospect in the AAC.
Even so, FAU lost quarterback Daniel Richardson (to Florida A&M) and leading receiver LaJohntay Westen (Colorado).
Westen will be especially tough to replace as he had 108 receptions for 1,168 yards last season, ranking second in the nation in catches. In addition, he was named a first-team All-American as a punt returner.
“We’re going to miss LeJohntay,” second-year FAU coach Tom Herman said earlier this month. “You don’t lose the (second-leading) receiver in the country -- who commanded what he commanded in the open market – and not feel that.
“(Going forward), in crunch time, we have to have a guy who commands the ball – not just with his words but with his play.”
FAU also lost its top two rushers – Larry McCammon (681 yards) and Kobe Lewis (412 yards).
The Owls have yet to decide on a starting QB for 2024 as Marshall transfer Cam Faucher is battling returner Tyriq Starks.
Faucher completed 65.6 percent of his passes last year, but he also had 11 interceptions to go with 11 touchdown tosses. Plus, Starks outplayed him in FAU’s spring game with three TD passes to just one for Faucher.
At running back, FAU’s big hope is CJ Campbell Jr., a Florida State transfer who rushed for just 117 yards last season. Zuberi Mobley, who rushed for 62 yards last season, is Campbell’s top competition.
The team’s top receiver could be Milan Tucker, who grabbed 21 receptions last year at Appalachian State.
Herman, who was Ohio State’s offensive coordinator when the Buckeyes won the 2014 national title, is seemingly set up better on defense than offense this year as eight starters return from a unit that was ranked sixth in the league in points allowed.
Standouts on the defensive line include Jacob Merrifield and Prince Boyd. Herman also praised defensive ends August Salvati and Chisom Ifeanyi as potential difference-making pass-rushers.
Top linebackers include returning starters Jackson Ambush and Jarrett Jerrels as well as Auburn transfer Desmond Tisdol. Ambush led the team in tackles last season with 89, and Tisdol was third (71).
In the secondary, the Owls are counting on Phillip Dunnam, Jayden Williams and Kahzir “Buggs” Brown.
Add it all up, and this is a roster that lacks star power. Maranges is the only player on Lindy’s first or second All-AAC teams.
Further, the Owls are picked to finish 10th in the 14-team conference.
And the Owls will get a major test right away as they open up with a difficult road game, playing Michigan State on Friday August 30.
Herman, however, remains optimistic, in part because he feels he has a mature team. In fact, he has 23 players who have already earned Bachelor’s degrees.
FAU was 1-4 in one-score games last year, but Herman believes his squad can turn that around in 2024.
He also thinks his offense will be way better than critics are predicting.
“The dynamism of our running back room was on display in the spring,” Herman said. “At quarterback, we have two very capable guys. The receiver room will be deeper but not as top-heavy as last year.
“The key will be the offensive line and a (relative lack of experience). We’re going to have to gel quickly.”
