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 #3 and #1 in Uppers
3/21/2026 3:34:00 PM | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Zach Kittley praised the squad following Saturday morning's practice, not only for the team's effort and execution but for where they are with installs. All can be attributed to the program's continuity.
The Owls are the only FBS program in the country that returned both the full-time staff and its starting quarterback in 2026. That familiarity lends to the program's progression. Another familiar face joining the team on the practice fields Saturday was Howard Guggenheim, the program's first Founder and an integral partner in starting football at FAU. Guggenheim was joined by dozens of high school prospects and parents who were taking in a beautiful morning on the fields.
VIDEO RECAP
QUOTABLE
Wide Receivers Coach DJ McCarthy
On the importance of returning production
"It's always important to have that comradery, having people coming back to [not only] keep the offense going, but as you bring new guys in, somebody setting the example of what it's supposed to be for the new guys. We have some talented guys returning, you're talking about Dom (Henry). (Easton) Messer, you have the leading receiver in the nation as far as catches coming back, he went from 52 to 104. I have had guys catch balls like that before, but usually when they have that type of productivity, they're going to the NFL. It's truly a blessing to have Messer back, to have Dom back after 40 catches. To see the development of Dom from last spring to where he was during the fall and where he is now, he's a vet out there. Messer's doing a great job of leading by example. We're excited."
On how the new receivers will supplement the returners
"Cris (Carter) and I talk about it all the time. We want to try to set that room up like a basketball team. They come in all shapes and sizes and length…You lose your outside right guy, you replace him with [Kelby Valsin] who is a veteran in the system coming from Texas Tech who is a little bigger and he has been in this system for three years. The sky is the limit for him. He had a relationship with [Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Zach Kittley] before being at Tech and I had to get a chance to watch film on him. After that, you have Branden Hoch who is coming back who played as a freshman. Now, he becomes a vet…You bring in (Antojuan) Woody, who is really explosive. I got a chance to spend some time with him…he's a guy that fits our program, our system, our city, our University. Then you have [Jahmari Powell-Wonson], he has three years of eligibility left. Tuck [Tucker Holloway] comes in, he was out of football for a year, he can return punts and kicks, can play inside and outside. RJ (Garcia) started at Kansas State then went over to Bowling Green and had 27 catches. Now you bring in these veteran guys that can come in and play a role right away and help us on special teams. Other than returning, our guys didn't do a great job of helping on special teams. That's big for us…We're really excited about the new pieces that we have coming in and then to match them with the guys we already have."
Sophomore Wide Receiver Branden Hoch
On the excitement of first day in pads
"The difference of the energy, as soon as we hit the grass, we knew we had to play fast right, away, be ready to go, because Coach Kittley is not playing around."
On what he's doing to improve for year two under Kittley
"I'm working a lot on my nutrition, my training, my recovery. I get a bunch of jug catches every day, just getting better every day."
On looking to contribute in the receivers room
"Just doing my job, really. Opportunity is going to come and I'm going to be ready for it."
PHOTO GALLERYGallery: (3-21-2026) Spring Practice #3
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.
The Owls are the only FBS program in the country that returned both the full-time staff and its starting quarterback in 2026. That familiarity lends to the program's progression. Another familiar face joining the team on the practice fields Saturday was Howard Guggenheim, the program's first Founder and an integral partner in starting football at FAU. Guggenheim was joined by dozens of high school prospects and parents who were taking in a beautiful morning on the fields.
VIDEO RECAP
QUOTABLE
Wide Receivers Coach DJ McCarthy
On the importance of returning production
"It's always important to have that comradery, having people coming back to [not only] keep the offense going, but as you bring new guys in, somebody setting the example of what it's supposed to be for the new guys. We have some talented guys returning, you're talking about Dom (Henry). (Easton) Messer, you have the leading receiver in the nation as far as catches coming back, he went from 52 to 104. I have had guys catch balls like that before, but usually when they have that type of productivity, they're going to the NFL. It's truly a blessing to have Messer back, to have Dom back after 40 catches. To see the development of Dom from last spring to where he was during the fall and where he is now, he's a vet out there. Messer's doing a great job of leading by example. We're excited."
On how the new receivers will supplement the returners
"Cris (Carter) and I talk about it all the time. We want to try to set that room up like a basketball team. They come in all shapes and sizes and length…You lose your outside right guy, you replace him with [Kelby Valsin] who is a veteran in the system coming from Texas Tech who is a little bigger and he has been in this system for three years. The sky is the limit for him. He had a relationship with [Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Zach Kittley] before being at Tech and I had to get a chance to watch film on him. After that, you have Branden Hoch who is coming back who played as a freshman. Now, he becomes a vet…You bring in (Antojuan) Woody, who is really explosive. I got a chance to spend some time with him…he's a guy that fits our program, our system, our city, our University. Then you have [Jahmari Powell-Wonson], he has three years of eligibility left. Tuck [Tucker Holloway] comes in, he was out of football for a year, he can return punts and kicks, can play inside and outside. RJ (Garcia) started at Kansas State then went over to Bowling Green and had 27 catches. Now you bring in these veteran guys that can come in and play a role right away and help us on special teams. Other than returning, our guys didn't do a great job of helping on special teams. That's big for us…We're really excited about the new pieces that we have coming in and then to match them with the guys we already have."
Sophomore Wide Receiver Branden Hoch
On the excitement of first day in pads
"The difference of the energy, as soon as we hit the grass, we knew we had to play fast right, away, be ready to go, because Coach Kittley is not playing around."
On what he's doing to improve for year two under Kittley
"I'm working a lot on my nutrition, my training, my recovery. I get a bunch of jug catches every day, just getting better every day."
On looking to contribute in the receivers room
"Just doing my job, really. Opportunity is going to come and I'm going to be ready for it."
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
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