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
Practice #2 Held Under Beautiful Skies
3/19/2026 4:50:00 PM | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic football kept the tempo up while area high school players flanked the sidelines to watch spring practice number two.
With the return of the position coaches and most of the support staff, the Owls continue to move through practice without a hitch. It was the second day of helmets and shorts with the addition of pads coming this Saturday.
Unlike the first practice, where cooler temperatures were somewhat a respite to the South Florida heat, Thursday was a return to Paradise with temperatures in the 70's with a constant break reminder to eat and hydrate.
QUOTABLE
Defensive Coordinator Brett Dewhurst
On how the defense is coming along in spring
"It's obviously early…It's day two of spring ball, but it's really practice 12 for us. We get 10 of those OTAs [organize team activities] in the winter, we only had six of those last year. That whole part is just teaching, it puts you ahead so you can hop into spring ball quicker. There's still a lot to be determined, but at least we have our base schemes in and now it's more of finishing and who can go make plays."
On the experience coming back
"It starts with what you hear Coach (Zach) Kittley talk about all the time, just continuity with the staff, not losing any full-time coaches on defense and the majority of our support staff is back as well. It's just the nature of college football, you're getting some pieces back but then you're getting a whole bunch of new players in. We have quite a bit returning from last year, especially when you look at the numbers in our conference. You're hoping you always upgrade, it's just the consistency of trying to find better and our job as coaches is to replace the guys that are starting and their jobs as players is to not get replaced, that's where competition always occurs. It's obviously good going on year two with that and then you're always looking for ways to not only get better with players and acquisition there, but also scheme. What can we get better at? That's what we looked at in the league and what are your core beliefs in that you don't want to change too far from? You're always kind of looking to turn over a new rock and looking to see where you can improve."
On redshirt senior DL CJ Doggette Jr. returning
"You can't say enough about him as far as his leadership, his day-to-day business in the building, what he brings to the d-line room. He sets the tone in that room and then that sets the tone in the defense. He's so strong, physical, he's so tough, he's everything you want in a defensive player. Getting him back was huge. That's where we always start, building from inside-out, it's one thing to go against our offense every day and it's another thing when we're looking at our schedule. It's a run league. We have three option teams in our first seven games there and FIU and Florida are going to start with running the ball. If you can't stop the run on defense you're going to have long days. That's where it starts: up front."
Special Teams Coordinator Tyler Schovanec
On getting players adjusted in the first two days of spring
"I think it's going great. The good thing is we still have some continuity. Walker (Adkinson) was here last year, Alex (Grace) was here last year, and the guys that we added are veteran guys. Collin (Rogers) has been doing it for a while, Reed (Chandley) has been doing it for a while, so it helps when you have veteran guys like that who can come in and they kind of understand what it's like to be in a college program. The other thing that has helped us is we had a great offseason program with our football school between the weightlifting, the kicking, and all that kind of stuff where they can work with each other. The first two days when we're out there, they have been doing it for six weeks together, so it wasn't like it was brand new to them. I feel great about those guys, they are very talented. We had a great group last year, it's hard to replace those guys, but I really like the guys that we have."
On teaching the importance of special teams
"We want to be aggressive; we're an extension of our offense. The reality is in special teams, you get one shot. It's not like we can go out there for a fifth down, you get fourth down and that's it. Those guys really understand the importance of that and that comes from Coach Kittley and his importance on special teams, all the coaches, those guys out there today were really coaching hard. The team buys into that and I think the team also understands for their personal value what special teams does for them both on this team and for their future career in the NFL. So it's an investment in themselves to be great on special teams. And when we get our opportunities in the game, we had explosive returns last year, we flipped the field. So we have to be ready to capitalize on that and then we're going to get big-time field goals, we're going to get those opportunities because of the nature of our offense. We're going to be in scoring position a lot, so when we get a chance to kick it, we have to be ready to kick it if that's what we have to do."
Redshirt Senior LB Joseph Sipp
On why he transferred to Florida Atlantic
"For my last year, I wanted to be somewhere in Florida, somewhere in the hometown with my family and they can come to more games. FAU came first to me in the portal, so I always believe in trust and trust in the guys who believe in you first. I built a trust with Coach (Aaron) Schwanz and Coach Kittley early and decided to come here."
On how 'football school' helps acclimation into spring
"It's really helpful. It gets you to start learning some of the plays earlier so when you get into spring ball, you can just play faster. You already know your alignments and assignments so it's just about making the plays that come to you."
On looking forward to putting full pads on
"I'm really excited. I'm not a big fan of no-contact…We're finally getting into some real football coming up this Saturday so it will be a show."
Redshirt Senior K Collin Rogers
On making the most of special teams opportunities
"It has been something that I learned throughout my career: taking full advantage of every opportunity I'm given. If I get sent out there to kick, I get sent out there to kick. If not, hopefully we're scoring touchdowns or we're doing something good that I don't have to be on the field. Throughout my career, just taking advantage of every opportunity that I'm given. If it's a long field goal, short field goal, whatever it is, just do my job and that's it."
On the appeal of Florida Atlantic
"This is my last year. The program that I was at before was very successful. I did everything I could go and had a great time with great success and everything. When I was looking, I was looking at what schools are going to fit me best and how the coach is going to treat me and how I'm going to progress as a player in my last year to get the film and get the experience to go and be a draft pick or get signed right out of free agency."
On the emphasis of special teams within the program
"I feel like it's definitely more important. In previous years, it was very important, but Coach Schovanec is all in. He's all about us as a group and it's great, he supports us and wants what's best for us and I think that helps a lot."
PHOTO GALLERYGallery: (3-19-2026) Spring Practice #2
2026 SPRING ROSTER, COACHES AND SUPPORT STAFF
Click HERE.
2026 SEASON TICKETS NOW ON SALE
2026 Florida Atlantic Football season tickets are now sale. Tickets start at $75 plus a $5 processing charge per seat, along with various premium seating options. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit FAUSports.com/tickets, email tickets@fau.edu, call 1-866-FAU-OWLS during normal business hours to order tickets or speak with a ticket sales representative.
LADIES NIGHT
Florida Atlantic football and Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Zach Kittley invites fans to participate in the 2026 Ladies Night presented by The Power of Sports, scheduled for Thursday, April 23 from 6-9 p.m. The event will take place at the Schmidt Family Complex, next to Flagler Credit Union Stadium at 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Fla. Parking will be in Lot 5, north of the stadium. Dress for the fun and informative night in your best FAU athletic attire as participants will enjoy exclusive shopping, a silent auction, dinner and drinks, on-field drills, as well as time with the Owls' coaching staff, their wives, and players. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for the 6 p.m. event. Admission is $125 for single entry and $225 for a pair. To register, please click HERE. Sponsorships are also available.
FOLLOW THE TEAM
Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through football's Twitter and Instagram accounts @FAUFootball.
With the return of the position coaches and most of the support staff, the Owls continue to move through practice without a hitch. It was the second day of helmets and shorts with the addition of pads coming this Saturday.
Unlike the first practice, where cooler temperatures were somewhat a respite to the South Florida heat, Thursday was a return to Paradise with temperatures in the 70's with a constant break reminder to eat and hydrate.
QUOTABLE
Defensive Coordinator Brett Dewhurst
On how the defense is coming along in spring
"It's obviously early…It's day two of spring ball, but it's really practice 12 for us. We get 10 of those OTAs [organize team activities] in the winter, we only had six of those last year. That whole part is just teaching, it puts you ahead so you can hop into spring ball quicker. There's still a lot to be determined, but at least we have our base schemes in and now it's more of finishing and who can go make plays."
On the experience coming back
"It starts with what you hear Coach (Zach) Kittley talk about all the time, just continuity with the staff, not losing any full-time coaches on defense and the majority of our support staff is back as well. It's just the nature of college football, you're getting some pieces back but then you're getting a whole bunch of new players in. We have quite a bit returning from last year, especially when you look at the numbers in our conference. You're hoping you always upgrade, it's just the consistency of trying to find better and our job as coaches is to replace the guys that are starting and their jobs as players is to not get replaced, that's where competition always occurs. It's obviously good going on year two with that and then you're always looking for ways to not only get better with players and acquisition there, but also scheme. What can we get better at? That's what we looked at in the league and what are your core beliefs in that you don't want to change too far from? You're always kind of looking to turn over a new rock and looking to see where you can improve."
On redshirt senior DL CJ Doggette Jr. returning
"You can't say enough about him as far as his leadership, his day-to-day business in the building, what he brings to the d-line room. He sets the tone in that room and then that sets the tone in the defense. He's so strong, physical, he's so tough, he's everything you want in a defensive player. Getting him back was huge. That's where we always start, building from inside-out, it's one thing to go against our offense every day and it's another thing when we're looking at our schedule. It's a run league. We have three option teams in our first seven games there and FIU and Florida are going to start with running the ball. If you can't stop the run on defense you're going to have long days. That's where it starts: up front."
Special Teams Coordinator Tyler Schovanec
On getting players adjusted in the first two days of spring
"I think it's going great. The good thing is we still have some continuity. Walker (Adkinson) was here last year, Alex (Grace) was here last year, and the guys that we added are veteran guys. Collin (Rogers) has been doing it for a while, Reed (Chandley) has been doing it for a while, so it helps when you have veteran guys like that who can come in and they kind of understand what it's like to be in a college program. The other thing that has helped us is we had a great offseason program with our football school between the weightlifting, the kicking, and all that kind of stuff where they can work with each other. The first two days when we're out there, they have been doing it for six weeks together, so it wasn't like it was brand new to them. I feel great about those guys, they are very talented. We had a great group last year, it's hard to replace those guys, but I really like the guys that we have."
On teaching the importance of special teams
"We want to be aggressive; we're an extension of our offense. The reality is in special teams, you get one shot. It's not like we can go out there for a fifth down, you get fourth down and that's it. Those guys really understand the importance of that and that comes from Coach Kittley and his importance on special teams, all the coaches, those guys out there today were really coaching hard. The team buys into that and I think the team also understands for their personal value what special teams does for them both on this team and for their future career in the NFL. So it's an investment in themselves to be great on special teams. And when we get our opportunities in the game, we had explosive returns last year, we flipped the field. So we have to be ready to capitalize on that and then we're going to get big-time field goals, we're going to get those opportunities because of the nature of our offense. We're going to be in scoring position a lot, so when we get a chance to kick it, we have to be ready to kick it if that's what we have to do."
Redshirt Senior LB Joseph Sipp
On why he transferred to Florida Atlantic
"For my last year, I wanted to be somewhere in Florida, somewhere in the hometown with my family and they can come to more games. FAU came first to me in the portal, so I always believe in trust and trust in the guys who believe in you first. I built a trust with Coach (Aaron) Schwanz and Coach Kittley early and decided to come here."
On how 'football school' helps acclimation into spring
"It's really helpful. It gets you to start learning some of the plays earlier so when you get into spring ball, you can just play faster. You already know your alignments and assignments so it's just about making the plays that come to you."
On looking forward to putting full pads on
"I'm really excited. I'm not a big fan of no-contact…We're finally getting into some real football coming up this Saturday so it will be a show."
Redshirt Senior K Collin Rogers
On making the most of special teams opportunities
"It has been something that I learned throughout my career: taking full advantage of every opportunity I'm given. If I get sent out there to kick, I get sent out there to kick. If not, hopefully we're scoring touchdowns or we're doing something good that I don't have to be on the field. Throughout my career, just taking advantage of every opportunity that I'm given. If it's a long field goal, short field goal, whatever it is, just do my job and that's it."
On the appeal of Florida Atlantic
"This is my last year. The program that I was at before was very successful. I did everything I could go and had a great time with great success and everything. When I was looking, I was looking at what schools are going to fit me best and how the coach is going to treat me and how I'm going to progress as a player in my last year to get the film and get the experience to go and be a draft pick or get signed right out of free agency."
On the emphasis of special teams within the program
"I feel like it's definitely more important. In previous years, it was very important, but Coach Schovanec is all in. He's all about us as a group and it's great, he supports us and wants what's best for us and I think that helps a lot."
PHOTO GALLERY
2026 SPRING ROSTER, COACHES AND SUPPORT STAFF
Click HERE.
2026 SEASON TICKETS NOW ON SALE
2026 Florida Atlantic Football season tickets are now sale. Tickets start at $75 plus a $5 processing charge per seat, along with various premium seating options. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit FAUSports.com/tickets, email tickets@fau.edu, call 1-866-FAU-OWLS during normal business hours to order tickets or speak with a ticket sales representative.
LADIES NIGHT
Florida Atlantic football and Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Zach Kittley invites fans to participate in the 2026 Ladies Night presented by The Power of Sports, scheduled for Thursday, April 23 from 6-9 p.m. The event will take place at the Schmidt Family Complex, next to Flagler Credit Union Stadium at 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Fla. Parking will be in Lot 5, north of the stadium. Dress for the fun and informative night in your best FAU athletic attire as participants will enjoy exclusive shopping, a silent auction, dinner and drinks, on-field drills, as well as time with the Owls' coaching staff, their wives, and players. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for the 6 p.m. event. Admission is $125 for single entry and $225 for a pair. To register, please click HERE. Sponsorships are also available.
FOLLOW THE TEAM
Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through football's Twitter and Instagram accounts @FAUFootball.
Players Mentioned
DL
/ Football
K
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