Upcoming Event: Football versus Friday Night Showcase on April 17, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
Football
vs. Friday Night Showcase
Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Owls in the NFL, with Opening Night Upon Us
9/9/2021 9:10:00 AM | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. – The opening game of the 2021 NFL season features the defending Super Bowl champions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, hosting the Dallas Cowboys. Two former Florida Atlantic University football players (and current Bucs) will be among those lifting the lid off the season tonight, and in total, 14 Owls currently see their name on NFL rosters.
All told, 11 NFL teams are represented by Owls, with Tampa, the Buffalo Bills and the San Francisco 49ers each having two. Seven former FAU players are active as part of their respective 53-man roster, one is on the injured reserve, and six are on their team's practice squad.
Here is details on each Owl, and their Week 1 opponent. All times are Eastern.
Active (7)
#51 Azeez Al-Shaair | LB | San Francisco 49ers
- Al-Shaair is set for his third season with the Niners, with nine starts among his 31 combined appearances in years one and two.
First game: at Detroit – Sunday, 1 p.m. (FOX)
#88 Harrison Bryant | TE | Cleveland Browns
- Bryant appeared in 15 games as a rookie for the Browns, helping them to their first playoff appearance since 2002.
First game: at Kansas City – Sunday, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
#91 Trey Hendrickson | DE | Cincinnati Bengals
- After four years with the New Orleans Saints, Hendrickson signed a four-year deal this offseason with the Bengals. He is coming off his best year as a pro, with 13.5 sacks, tied for second-most among all NFL players.
First game: vs. Minnesota (and Joseph) – Sunday, 1 p.m. (FOX)
#1 Greg Joseph | K | Minnesota Vikings
Joseph, who earned a Super Bowl ring as part of the Buccaneers' organization, has moved north and earned the starting placekicking job with the Vikings.
First game: at Cincinnati (and Hendrickson) – Sunday, 1 p.m. (FOX)
#35 Sharrod Neasman | S | New York Jets
- Neasman spent his first five seasons – and 57 games, including all 16 last year – with the Atlanta Falcons, and is now a member of the J-E-T-S (Jets Jets Jets).
First game: at Carolina – Sunday, 1 p.m. (CBS)
#42 James Pierre | CB | Pittsburgh Steelers
- Pierre is coming off a first year where he was the only undrafted rookie to make the Steelers' opening week roster, and he stayed on it all year, appearing in all 17 games, including the playoffs.
First game: at Buffalo (and Singletary) – Sunday, 1 p.m. (CBS)
#26 Devin Singletary | RB | Buffalo Bills
- "Motor" has two seasons under his belt with the Bills, and two playoff appearances as well, including helping to lead the squad to last year's AFC Championship.
First game: vs. Pittsburgh (and Pierre) – Sunday, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Injured (1)
#97 Trevon Coley | DT | Tennessee Titans
Coley was on his way to not only making the Titans' 53-man, but in all likelihood being a member of the team's starting defensive line, before a foot injury forced him out.
Practice Squad (6)
#90 Brandin Bryant | DT | Buffalo Bills
-- Buddy Howell | RB/ST | Los Angeles Rams
#34 Cre'von LeBlanc | DB | Houston Texans
#36 Herb Miller | CB | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
-- Rashad Smith | LB | San Francisco 49ers
#73 Brandon Walton | OT | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Additionally, B.J. Emmons (Las Vegas) and Alfred Morris (N.Y. Giants) each took part in their respective preseason camp, and John Franklin III, who was injured last season, reached an injury settlement with Tampa Bay to continue to rehabilitate while not being a part of their roster. Emmons was momentarily part of the Raiders' practice squad but was a recent cut, just this week.
Each Thursday, check back here on FAUSports.com to see how each Owl did each week, along with a preview of their respective team's next game.
All told, 11 NFL teams are represented by Owls, with Tampa, the Buffalo Bills and the San Francisco 49ers each having two. Seven former FAU players are active as part of their respective 53-man roster, one is on the injured reserve, and six are on their team's practice squad.
Here is details on each Owl, and their Week 1 opponent. All times are Eastern.
Active (7)
#51 Azeez Al-Shaair | LB | San Francisco 49ers
- Al-Shaair is set for his third season with the Niners, with nine starts among his 31 combined appearances in years one and two.
First game: at Detroit – Sunday, 1 p.m. (FOX)
#88 Harrison Bryant | TE | Cleveland Browns
- Bryant appeared in 15 games as a rookie for the Browns, helping them to their first playoff appearance since 2002.
First game: at Kansas City – Sunday, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
#91 Trey Hendrickson | DE | Cincinnati Bengals
- After four years with the New Orleans Saints, Hendrickson signed a four-year deal this offseason with the Bengals. He is coming off his best year as a pro, with 13.5 sacks, tied for second-most among all NFL players.
First game: vs. Minnesota (and Joseph) – Sunday, 1 p.m. (FOX)
#ProOwls 📈 https://t.co/oXXt61bb95
— FAU Football (@FAUFootball) September 7, 2021
#1 Greg Joseph | K | Minnesota Vikings
Joseph, who earned a Super Bowl ring as part of the Buccaneers' organization, has moved north and earned the starting placekicking job with the Vikings.
First game: at Cincinnati (and Hendrickson) – Sunday, 1 p.m. (FOX)
#35 Sharrod Neasman | S | New York Jets
- Neasman spent his first five seasons – and 57 games, including all 16 last year – with the Atlanta Falcons, and is now a member of the J-E-T-S (Jets Jets Jets).
First game: at Carolina – Sunday, 1 p.m. (CBS)
#42 James Pierre | CB | Pittsburgh Steelers
- Pierre is coming off a first year where he was the only undrafted rookie to make the Steelers' opening week roster, and he stayed on it all year, appearing in all 17 games, including the playoffs.
First game: at Buffalo (and Singletary) – Sunday, 1 p.m. (CBS)
#26 Devin Singletary | RB | Buffalo Bills
- "Motor" has two seasons under his belt with the Bills, and two playoff appearances as well, including helping to lead the squad to last year's AFC Championship.
First game: vs. Pittsburgh (and Pierre) – Sunday, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Injured (1)
#97 Trevon Coley | DT | Tennessee Titans
Coley was on his way to not only making the Titans' 53-man, but in all likelihood being a member of the team's starting defensive line, before a foot injury forced him out.
Practice Squad (6)
#90 Brandin Bryant | DT | Buffalo Bills
-- Buddy Howell | RB/ST | Los Angeles Rams
#34 Cre'von LeBlanc | DB | Houston Texans
#36 Herb Miller | CB | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
-- Rashad Smith | LB | San Francisco 49ers
#73 Brandon Walton | OT | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Additionally, B.J. Emmons (Las Vegas) and Alfred Morris (N.Y. Giants) each took part in their respective preseason camp, and John Franklin III, who was injured last season, reached an injury settlement with Tampa Bay to continue to rehabilitate while not being a part of their roster. Emmons was momentarily part of the Raiders' practice squad but was a recent cut, just this week.
Each Thursday, check back here on FAUSports.com to see how each Owl did each week, along with a preview of their respective team's next game.
Dominique Henry Mic'd Up
Saturday, April 04
Practice #8
Thursday, April 02
Wilky Denaud Mic'd Up
Tuesday, March 31
Inside the Owls Burrow 2025-26 Spring Show #6
Monday, March 30