Continuity, Key Portal Additions Define 2026 Football Roster

BOCA RATON, Fla. – On the heels of an incredibly successful portal period and signing day, Hagerty Family Head Coach Zach Kittley and the Florida Atlantic football team have their sights set on 2026 and the second season of the Kittley era.

In a transient era for college football, the Owls bucked the trend and enter 2026 with profound roster continuity as 54 players return to Kittley from 2025, headlined by one of nation's top offensive tandems in QB Caden Veltkamp and WR Easton Messer.

Owl season ticket holders and Paradise Clubs members are invited to an exclusive Signing Day Celebration on Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 6-8 p.m., in the Delray Genesis Club at Flagler Credit Union Stadium. The event is also open to new season ticket holders for 2026. The deadline to RSVP is Friday, Feb. 6. To RSVP, please see information below. To purchase or renew your season tickets, please call 1-866-FAU-OWLS or visit FAUSports.com/tickets.

When considering fewest snaps lost to the transfer portal from 2025 to 2026, the Owls' 5,527 snaps lost to the portal ranked as the second fewest in the American Conference -- not including the service academies, which are not actively participating in portal transfers.

"Continuity was key for us during the January portal window," said Kittley. "It is the foundation of a championship program. I'm proud that so many of our student-athletes from this past season are committed to returning as we continue to attack the goals we've set for Florida Atlantic. We are excited about this roster and look forward to getting them on the practice field for spring ball."

With Veltkamp, Messer and RB Kaden Shields-Dutton back to anchor Kittley's Owl Raid attack, the team returns more than half of its touchdown scoring from last year. The quarterback unit alone returns more than 90% of its production, with half of its rushing offense and nearly half of its receiving production back in Paradise.

Veltkamp led the nation in completions per game (28.75), was third nationally in passing yards per game (303.4), 22nd in completion percentage (67.0%) and 23rd in passing touchdown (24), while Messer caught more passes per game than any player in sport (8.67).

The defense sees 55% of the team's tackle production, 80% of its sacks and 65% of its tackles for loss back, headlined by Leon Hart Jr. and CJ Doggette Jr. Hart led the Owls with 96 tackles in 2025, while his 8.7 tackles per game ranked second in the conference and 32^nd nationally. Doggette paced the Owls with four sacks and seven tackles for loss.

While stability was important, the Owls used both the transfer portal and the December signing period to address specific roster needs.

"We were very strategic in addressing specific areas of need," said Kittley. "Our Competitive Excellence Fund allowed us to be very aggressive, in both retaining players and filling needs through the transfer portal."

Florida Atlantic added a pair of power conference wide outs in Kelby Valsin (Texas Tech) and Tucker Holloway (Virginia Tech) and running back Leonard Farrow, who rushed for 1,438 yards and was a first-team all-conference pick and an honorable mention All-America selection for Division II Fairmont State in 2025. Valsin played two seasons at Texas Tech, including his freshman campaign in 2024 under Kittley, who was the Red Raiders offensive coordinator. Ben Galloway, a 6-foot-4, 310-pound addition from Georgia Tech is a key addition on the offensive line.

On defense, the Owls deepened the line with edge rusher Jay Crable from Ohio University, who racked up six sacks, eight tackles for loss and 33 tackles for the Bobcats in 2025, and Corey Clark from Mississippi State.

Fourteen Owls joined the program as incoming freshmen during the December signing period.

As Florida Atlantic preps for the 2026 season, the Owls begin spring practice in March, leading up to the annual spring game in April. The 26^th season of FAU Football officially begins Saturday, Sept. 5 versus Florida in Gainesville.

2026 SIGNING DAY CELEBRATION -- MEET THE OWLS -- TUESDAY, FEB. 10
Florida Atlantic football season ticket holders and Paradise Clubs members are invited to an exclusive Signing Day Celebration on Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 6-8 p.m., in the Delray Genesis Club at Flagler Credit Union Stadium. The event is also open to new season ticket holders for 2026. The deadline to RSVP is Friday, Feb. 6. To RSVP, please e-mail Ryan Macniven with you and your guests names at rmacniven2020@fau.edu. To purchase or renew your season tickets, please call 1-866-FAU-OWLS or visit FAUSports.com/tickets.

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