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First Practice After First Scrimmage
3/27/2024 2:28:00 PM | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic football team held its first practice after the team's first scrimmage, which was held last Monday due to last Saturday's weather.
With the scrimmage on tape and players knowing where the work was needed, enthusiasm was high at Wednesday's practice.
Once again, the fields were lined with high school players. This week it is Broward County on spring break, taking advantage of the opportunity to watch a college practice. One team came to campus escorted by Head Coach Johnnie Sloan, a member of the Owls' inaugural squad and starter from 2001-04.
COMPLETE ROSTER
On opening up practices to local high schools
"It is so important to welcome everybody because there are so many good players in our area. Our three counties that we take so much pride in: Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach, you are talking 80% of all Division I signees in the state of Florida. We take a lot of pride in it and in order to do that, we have to open ourselves up. It has been great, the local coaches have been great, the student athletes have been great. This is home and we want to make sure that the players and coaches at the high school level around our hometown understand that too."
On being able to bring in transfers from the Tri County Area
"There have been plenty of five star [recruits] that have made the trip to Boca Raton this spring that we are probably not going to sign on signing day, but we want those guys to have a really enjoyable experience and know that if wherever they decide to go is not what they thought it was, this place really close to home is doing some really cool things and might be a nice landing spot should their situation change."
On how transfer QB Cameron Fancher is fitting in
"Cam has done well learning the offense. Coach Frye [Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach Charlie Frye] and him and the rest of the quarterbacks have met extensively…There is a learning curve no matter how many snaps you have under your belt. The way we do things, our expectations of him are exponentially higher than what was expected of him at that position in previous stops. He is learning things on the fly and doing okay. I would love for that process to be accelerated, but you can tell he has a tremendous ceiling. Once all of the chaos of what we are expecting of him slows down, you are going to see his production increase as well."
On redshirt freshman RB Gemari Sands
"Running back is a difficult position to play in terms of the mental acuity that is necessary. There is a lot going on and as a true freshman, that was difficult for him last year, but he has really had a good spring thus far. I have been impressed with all of the backs. I hadn't been around a better running back room than last year's team. However, these guys have a little more dynamism, a little more make you miss."
On the offensive line
"I can't say enough about Federico Maranges. You are talking about a guy who is a multiple-time captain. He is not just a leader on our football team, but for all of Florida Atlantic University Athletics [President of SAAC]. This is a guy that has leader written all over him. He does a great job. Having him there is really important because those guys up front are going to look a lot different, we are losing a lot of experience. There are some talented guys up front that are getting evaluated very critically and we feel like we have about five or six guys to fill two or three spots."
Redshirt Senior OL Federico Maranges
On teaching new members of the offensive line
"Through experience, that helps a lot. Now that I am an actual redshirt senior, I can help out all of the other guys. I know the positions, the techniques so whenever they have a question they can see me on the field as another coach. It helps out everybody. The guys that we brought in are smart guys so they pick it up quickly."
On finding the best five guys
"It is definitely a mix-and-match right now. Every single practice, we have a different rotation going in just to see which of the five guys match the best. It is definitely awesome to have Lamas (Senior OL Andre Lamas) next to me. I played with him in high school, so it is definitely cool to make some calls in Spanish and he understands them."
On the depth this spring
"It is on both sides of the ball; the defense and offense have a fantastic amount of depth and I think that is what is helping us out with the rotations. We have so many guys that we can mix and match, see who fits with who."
Freshman OL Keon Rohe
On acclimating to Florida Atlantic football
"For me, it was a big step. I am from Germany, so it is a whole other country, new people, new environment, especially the weather is warmer here. I have been really enjoying playing football at this level."
On what encouraged him to follow this dream
"I started playing because my dad used to play in Germany, so it developed early in my life that I wanted to play at a high level. As I went on and saw I was gifted and had good traits, I decided to take the shot and here I am."
On Germany's interest in American football
"It is definitely smaller than soccer, but it is growing at the moment. We have a new Europe league and also have NFL games in Germany. Football is definitely growing, that is cool to see."
On adjusting to the physicality
"The toughness part I definitely have in me. I am just not used to other guys also hitting me as hard so I have to get to used to other guys playing fast and physical too."
Gallery: (3-27-2024) Spring 2024 #6 and #6
LADIES NIGHT
Join the Owls on Wednesday, Apr. 3, 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.
With the scrimmage on tape and players knowing where the work was needed, enthusiasm was high at Wednesday's practice.
Once again, the fields were lined with high school players. This week it is Broward County on spring break, taking advantage of the opportunity to watch a college practice. One team came to campus escorted by Head Coach Johnnie Sloan, a member of the Owls' inaugural squad and starter from 2001-04.
COMPLETE ROSTER
QUOTABLE
Hagerty Family Football Head Coach Tom HermanOn opening up practices to local high schools
"It is so important to welcome everybody because there are so many good players in our area. Our three counties that we take so much pride in: Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach, you are talking 80% of all Division I signees in the state of Florida. We take a lot of pride in it and in order to do that, we have to open ourselves up. It has been great, the local coaches have been great, the student athletes have been great. This is home and we want to make sure that the players and coaches at the high school level around our hometown understand that too."
On being able to bring in transfers from the Tri County Area
"There have been plenty of five star [recruits] that have made the trip to Boca Raton this spring that we are probably not going to sign on signing day, but we want those guys to have a really enjoyable experience and know that if wherever they decide to go is not what they thought it was, this place really close to home is doing some really cool things and might be a nice landing spot should their situation change."
On how transfer QB Cameron Fancher is fitting in
"Cam has done well learning the offense. Coach Frye [Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach Charlie Frye] and him and the rest of the quarterbacks have met extensively…There is a learning curve no matter how many snaps you have under your belt. The way we do things, our expectations of him are exponentially higher than what was expected of him at that position in previous stops. He is learning things on the fly and doing okay. I would love for that process to be accelerated, but you can tell he has a tremendous ceiling. Once all of the chaos of what we are expecting of him slows down, you are going to see his production increase as well."
On redshirt freshman RB Gemari Sands
"Running back is a difficult position to play in terms of the mental acuity that is necessary. There is a lot going on and as a true freshman, that was difficult for him last year, but he has really had a good spring thus far. I have been impressed with all of the backs. I hadn't been around a better running back room than last year's team. However, these guys have a little more dynamism, a little more make you miss."
On the offensive line
"I can't say enough about Federico Maranges. You are talking about a guy who is a multiple-time captain. He is not just a leader on our football team, but for all of Florida Atlantic University Athletics [President of SAAC]. This is a guy that has leader written all over him. He does a great job. Having him there is really important because those guys up front are going to look a lot different, we are losing a lot of experience. There are some talented guys up front that are getting evaluated very critically and we feel like we have about five or six guys to fill two or three spots."
Redshirt Senior OL Federico Maranges
On teaching new members of the offensive line
"Through experience, that helps a lot. Now that I am an actual redshirt senior, I can help out all of the other guys. I know the positions, the techniques so whenever they have a question they can see me on the field as another coach. It helps out everybody. The guys that we brought in are smart guys so they pick it up quickly."
On finding the best five guys
"It is definitely a mix-and-match right now. Every single practice, we have a different rotation going in just to see which of the five guys match the best. It is definitely awesome to have Lamas (Senior OL Andre Lamas) next to me. I played with him in high school, so it is definitely cool to make some calls in Spanish and he understands them."
On the depth this spring
"It is on both sides of the ball; the defense and offense have a fantastic amount of depth and I think that is what is helping us out with the rotations. We have so many guys that we can mix and match, see who fits with who."
Freshman OL Keon Rohe
On acclimating to Florida Atlantic football
"For me, it was a big step. I am from Germany, so it is a whole other country, new people, new environment, especially the weather is warmer here. I have been really enjoying playing football at this level."
On what encouraged him to follow this dream
"I started playing because my dad used to play in Germany, so it developed early in my life that I wanted to play at a high level. As I went on and saw I was gifted and had good traits, I decided to take the shot and here I am."
On Germany's interest in American football
"It is definitely smaller than soccer, but it is growing at the moment. We have a new Europe league and also have NFL games in Germany. Football is definitely growing, that is cool to see."
On adjusting to the physicality
"The toughness part I definitely have in me. I am just not used to other guys also hitting me as hard so I have to get to used to other guys playing fast and physical too."
AMBUSH MIC'D UP
PRACTICE PHOTOS
LADIES NIGHT
Join the Owls on Wednesday, Apr. 3, 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.
SCRIMMAGE REVIEW
SPRING GAME
The Owls will conclude the 2024 spring practice season with a spring game slated for Saturday, Apr. 13 at noon. The game will be played in FAU Stadium.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 Thursday, April 25, 2024, at the Boca West Country Club. To register your foursome, click HERE.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.Players Mentioned
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