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First Day in Full Pads for the Owls
8/6/2024 2:20:00 PM | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic donned pads for the first time this Fall when they worked through the paces at the Tom Oxley Center practice fields.
Full pads signify the team is inching closer to the Friday, Aug. 31 season opener at Michigan State, but for the players, it is an opportunity to push the envelope of a team cornerstone, physicality.
There weren't the normal oohs and ahhs with hits. It was more of 'this is normal, back to work.'
On the first day in pads
"It was very refreshing. I got asked coming off the field by Chris Jones, one of our team leaders, 'How do you feel coach.' I could tell he was asking after practice six what you think of us. I said, 'weird.' I rephrased it to mean more of what I meant. I'm cautiously happy. I'm really happy with where we are at. I'm happy, for the most part, with the way the guys are correcting themselves and the way they attack practice every day. We have been thrown some curve balls, pretty early with the dance around the weather. Sunday and Monday were interesting and our guys responded. We are not going to let anything that inhabits our way of training get in our way or make an excuse for it. We will find every way to get our work in. I'm happy but on edge."
On a player-led team
"I don't want to discredit some of our guys that have been here. Federico (Maranges) is maybe one of the top two or three leaders that I have ever coached. He has been here a long time. But to be specific about the transfers, CJ Campbell, I would be shocked if he is not a captain. Jackson Ambush was a transfer, a two-year transfer, Milan Tucker is on our leadership council. If you look at our leadership council of the 11 positions represented, I would say five of them are by transfers. We do have some leadership and I think some of that comes with experience. Those guys have played football and they have got pelts on the wall. They have a resume so to speak. A lot of those guys have played meaningful snaps where they were prior, and you don't get to do that not working at practice. It is great to see that transfers that our guys know are good players that have proven themselves on Saturday in college football, and they watch how they work, and oh, Coach Herman wasn't messing around last year. He was telling the truth. In order to play like this guy plays then I have to work like this guy works. It has been great from a lot of fronts. Obviously, the upgrade in talent, certainly from a leadership and culture standpoint we have upgraded that.
Redshirt Junior Kahlil Brantley
On first day in pads?
"First day in pads was pretty solid. A lot more to pick up on. There is a lot more to work on regarding ball security, specifically. In the tight end room, we are real tight together. There were a lot more of us last year. It is kind of shrunk down this year, so we became a little closer. Competition is through the roof in meetings, walk-throughs, and the weight room. We just try to push each other each and every day. We know we are fighting for position on the field. Every day is a competition in whatever we do."
Redshirt Sophomore Wyatt Sullivan
On his evolution since arriving at FAU three years ago. How did you reshape your body to become a tight end?
"I came in thinking I was going to play receiver. The coach at the time said that he thought I would have a better chance to get on the field if I played tight end. It was a hard transition at first because I was 195-200 pounds. It was almost impossible to block. I got with Joey (Guarascio – FAU's strength coach) after the season. He told me what I needed to do to become a tight end. It was a lot of weightlifting. I got with Addi (Adare Quinn – FAU's nutritionist) and put on weight (243 pounds) and now I'm starting to reap the benefits."
Are you ready for a bigger role this year?
"Yes, last year I still had a lot of maturing to do. My blocking was not as good as it is now. Now, I feel like I have all three phases of playing tight end."
Sophomore Zeke Moore
On real players emerging once the full pads go on
"I definitely think it is a different kind of football. I was talking with Coach (Coach Chad Lunsford) about that before practice. Obviously, shells are like full pads, but there is a certain level of toughness that comes into playing with pads on. There are some plays that I'm like, 'Man, can I get back up after that.' I think you have to get used to that. It is certainly different. Even though we got out pretty late last night we were all excited to come put pads on and play football."
On having to work to hold onto a starting spot and the competition to get the same number of snaps
"One thousand percent. Our tight end room is completely different from last year. Wyatt has pushed me all summer. So have the other guys, but Wyatt has stood out. Like he was talking about. He has put on a lot of weight. He has been doing things the right way, which is good for me because it pushes me and makes my game better."
Gallery: (8-6-2024) Practice #6
Recent alumni and Florida Atlantic faculty/staff can access discounted season tickets as low as $50. To learn more, submit your info HERE or visit HERE to make a purchase today.
VIP group experiences with discounted tickets are available now, including pre- and post-game field access, halftime team tunnels, fundraising opportunities, and more. If you have a group of 15 or more who are interested, sign up HERE.
FAU Alumni and Community Engagement will host two away events. The first is October 19th, when the Owls travel to San Antonio to face host UTSA. The second will be before the November 16th game versus Temple in Philadelphia. For more information, email alumni.affairs@fau.edu.
Full pads signify the team is inching closer to the Friday, Aug. 31 season opener at Michigan State, but for the players, it is an opportunity to push the envelope of a team cornerstone, physicality.
There weren't the normal oohs and ahhs with hits. It was more of 'this is normal, back to work.'
QUOTABLE
Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Tom HermanOn the first day in pads
"It was very refreshing. I got asked coming off the field by Chris Jones, one of our team leaders, 'How do you feel coach.' I could tell he was asking after practice six what you think of us. I said, 'weird.' I rephrased it to mean more of what I meant. I'm cautiously happy. I'm really happy with where we are at. I'm happy, for the most part, with the way the guys are correcting themselves and the way they attack practice every day. We have been thrown some curve balls, pretty early with the dance around the weather. Sunday and Monday were interesting and our guys responded. We are not going to let anything that inhabits our way of training get in our way or make an excuse for it. We will find every way to get our work in. I'm happy but on edge."
On a player-led team
"I don't want to discredit some of our guys that have been here. Federico (Maranges) is maybe one of the top two or three leaders that I have ever coached. He has been here a long time. But to be specific about the transfers, CJ Campbell, I would be shocked if he is not a captain. Jackson Ambush was a transfer, a two-year transfer, Milan Tucker is on our leadership council. If you look at our leadership council of the 11 positions represented, I would say five of them are by transfers. We do have some leadership and I think some of that comes with experience. Those guys have played football and they have got pelts on the wall. They have a resume so to speak. A lot of those guys have played meaningful snaps where they were prior, and you don't get to do that not working at practice. It is great to see that transfers that our guys know are good players that have proven themselves on Saturday in college football, and they watch how they work, and oh, Coach Herman wasn't messing around last year. He was telling the truth. In order to play like this guy plays then I have to work like this guy works. It has been great from a lot of fronts. Obviously, the upgrade in talent, certainly from a leadership and culture standpoint we have upgraded that.
Redshirt Junior Kahlil Brantley
On first day in pads?
"First day in pads was pretty solid. A lot more to pick up on. There is a lot more to work on regarding ball security, specifically. In the tight end room, we are real tight together. There were a lot more of us last year. It is kind of shrunk down this year, so we became a little closer. Competition is through the roof in meetings, walk-throughs, and the weight room. We just try to push each other each and every day. We know we are fighting for position on the field. Every day is a competition in whatever we do."
Redshirt Sophomore Wyatt Sullivan
On his evolution since arriving at FAU three years ago. How did you reshape your body to become a tight end?
"I came in thinking I was going to play receiver. The coach at the time said that he thought I would have a better chance to get on the field if I played tight end. It was a hard transition at first because I was 195-200 pounds. It was almost impossible to block. I got with Joey (Guarascio – FAU's strength coach) after the season. He told me what I needed to do to become a tight end. It was a lot of weightlifting. I got with Addi (Adare Quinn – FAU's nutritionist) and put on weight (243 pounds) and now I'm starting to reap the benefits."
Are you ready for a bigger role this year?
"Yes, last year I still had a lot of maturing to do. My blocking was not as good as it is now. Now, I feel like I have all three phases of playing tight end."
Sophomore Zeke Moore
On real players emerging once the full pads go on
"I definitely think it is a different kind of football. I was talking with Coach (Coach Chad Lunsford) about that before practice. Obviously, shells are like full pads, but there is a certain level of toughness that comes into playing with pads on. There are some plays that I'm like, 'Man, can I get back up after that.' I think you have to get used to that. It is certainly different. Even though we got out pretty late last night we were all excited to come put pads on and play football."
On having to work to hold onto a starting spot and the competition to get the same number of snaps
"One thousand percent. Our tight end room is completely different from last year. Wyatt has pushed me all summer. So have the other guys, but Wyatt has stood out. Like he was talking about. He has put on a lot of weight. He has been doing things the right way, which is good for me because it pushes me and makes my game better."
VIDEO RECAP
ON SOCIAL
that man @daedaehill1 made the '24 CFB Freaks List! big year coming for this freak. #FAU🦉💪💪💪 @FAUFootball @CoachJoeyG https://t.co/2rvQJxudrZ pic.twitter.com/pgJZQULCf1
— Ken LaVicka (@KLVsays) August 6, 2024
HIGHLIGHTS
- Full pad team opened with a long run by CJ Campbell, Jr. for a score, and he added a red zone score
- Cam Fancher hit Dominique Henry for a 40-yard score and later found Milan Tucker for a TD
- Three defenders surrounded the ball carrier for a loss of yards on third and seven and Desmod Tisdol followed with a very physical tackle
- Phillip Dunnam recorded a pass breakup shortly before Tyriq Starks found Gemari Sands for a TD and later found Liam Besecker
- "Buggs" Kahzir Brown recorded a score-preventing tackle
- With the defense holding a 20-13 early lead, quarterback newcomer Kasen Weisman called his own number
- A red zone gang tackle prevented a score on third and seven and was a partial reason for a 36-17 defensive win
PHOTO GALLERY
FAN FEST
Join the Florida Atlantic Owls at the 2024 Duffy's Sports Grill Fan Fest, scheduled for 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10 at FAU Stadium. The football team will hold an open-to-the-public practice. Fans are encouraged to enjoy the shade of the Delray Hyundai Deck while watching and participating in giveaways, games, contests, and much more, including the opportunity to meet FAU student-athletes from other teams. Following football's practice session, the 2024 Florida Atlantic football poster will be available, as will the Owls for an autograph opportunity.COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Click HERE.
MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY
Florida Atlantic's football home opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 7, at FAU Stadium versus Army West Point. The Owls will celebrate Military Appreciation Day as the Black Knights come to Boca Raton. For more information, click HERE.
SEASON TICKETS
2024 season tickets are available for as low as $75. To purchase season tickets, click HERE.Recent alumni and Florida Atlantic faculty/staff can access discounted season tickets as low as $50. To learn more, submit your info HERE or visit HERE to make a purchase today.
VIP group experiences with discounted tickets are available now, including pre- and post-game field access, halftime team tunnels, fundraising opportunities, and more. If you have a group of 15 or more who are interested, sign up HERE.
FAU Alumni and Community Engagement will host two away events. The first is October 19th, when the Owls travel to San Antonio to face host UTSA. The second will be before the November 16th game versus Temple in Philadelphia. For more information, email alumni.affairs@fau.edu.
TOUCHDOWN IN THE TROPICS
Get ready for a night of tropical elegance at "Touchdown in the Tropics" to support the upcoming Florida Atlantic University football season and its student-athletes. Join us at the Boca Marriott on August 22, 2024, from 6-9 PM at 5150 Town Center Cir., Boca Raton, Florida 33486. Doors open at 5:30 PM. Indulge in amazing food, enjoy live music, and hear from Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Tom Herman. This tropical casual affair promises a fun and unforgettable evening as we kick off the season in paradise with your hometown team. All proceeds from this event directly benefit our FAU football student-athletes. For more information, click HERE.BROADCAST
Television outlets are listed on the schedule page. Wire-to-wire radio coverage will air on Fox Sports South Florida 640 AM. Ken LaVicka and FAU alum Chris Newbold will have the call, while Mike Mreczko will host the pre and post-game with added on-field coverage by FAU and long-time South Florida television personality Frank Forte. To listen live 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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DB
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QB
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