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Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Preseason Football Honors Roll In
6/17/2026 11:47:00 AM | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic football has rolled into summer workouts, all in preparation for the 2026 season and preseason camp. The Owls returned 74 players at several key positions, as reflected in the 2026 preseason accolades.
In fact, the Owls return players who produced 83% of their 2025 yards tallied and 65% of their offensive production returned as well as 56% of its defensive production returned.
In the first publication of the season, Phil Steele's Magazine, 10 FAU players represent 11 honors. Nine belonged to returners and two were bestowed to newcomers.
PHIL STEELE's
First Team: Redshirt senior WR and PR Easton Messer, redshirt senior DT C.J. Doggette Jr., and redshirt senior LB Leon Hart Jr.
Second Team: Redshirt senior QB Caden Veltkamp, redshirt senior WR Dominique Henry, and redshirt senior OT Ja'Kavion Nonar.
Fourth Team: Redshirt senior OL Vincent Fiacable, newcomer and redshirt senior LB Joseph Sipp Jr., graduate CB Damarius McGhee, and redshirt senior K Collin Rogers.
ABOUT THE OWLS
Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Zach Kittley and the Owls will enter the 2026 season as the only program in the nation to return the complete coaching staff along with the starting quarterback. Redshirt senior QB Caden Veltkamp completed his 2025 campaign ranked among the nation's top 25 in six categories, including No. 3 in passing yards per game and No. 6 in total offensive yards. Veltkamp's number one receiver, redshirt senior Easton Messer, was also the top receiver in the nation with 8.67 receptions per game. Messer ranked No. 10 nationally in receiving yards per game and No. 15 in total receiving yards. The duo are joined by the Owls' 2025 lead rusher in junior Kaden Shields-Dutton and welcomed the addition of redshirt senior and Division II All-American Leonard Farrow. A cast of new receivers have been added to the offensive side of the ball led by redshirt junior Texas Tech transfer Kelby Valsin.
Defensively, the Owls bulked up the line in support of their heartbeat redshirt senior DT CJ Doggette Jr., who led the team in sacks year ago. The line also returned redshirt junior Wilky Denaud, who has completed his move to the interior. The Owls added standout transfers in senior edge Jonathan Bax from TCU and redshirt junior Jay Crable from Ohio. The linebacker unit welcomes the return of redshirt senior Leon Hart Jr., the team's leading tackler in 2025, and junior Khmari Johnson as well as redshirt senior transfer Joseph Sipp Jr., who comes to Paradise from Kansas. The defensive backfield is expected to be a blend of experienced returners, led by graduate Damarius McGhee as well as newcomers including JK Johnson and Tyson Rooks.
2026 SUMMER ROSTER, COACHES AND SUPPORT STAFF
Click HERE.
2026 SUMMER PROSPECTUS
Click HERE.
PURCHASE YOUR 2026 SEASON TICKETS NOW
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.
FOLLOW THE TEAM
Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through football's Twitter and Instagram accounts @FAUFootball.
In fact, the Owls return players who produced 83% of their 2025 yards tallied and 65% of their offensive production returned as well as 56% of its defensive production returned.
In the first publication of the season, Phil Steele's Magazine, 10 FAU players represent 11 honors. Nine belonged to returners and two were bestowed to newcomers.
PHIL STEELE's
First Team: Redshirt senior WR and PR Easton Messer, redshirt senior DT C.J. Doggette Jr., and redshirt senior LB Leon Hart Jr.
Second Team: Redshirt senior QB Caden Veltkamp, redshirt senior WR Dominique Henry, and redshirt senior OT Ja'Kavion Nonar.
Fourth Team: Redshirt senior OL Vincent Fiacable, newcomer and redshirt senior LB Joseph Sipp Jr., graduate CB Damarius McGhee, and redshirt senior K Collin Rogers.
ABOUT THE OWLS
Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Zach Kittley and the Owls will enter the 2026 season as the only program in the nation to return the complete coaching staff along with the starting quarterback. Redshirt senior QB Caden Veltkamp completed his 2025 campaign ranked among the nation's top 25 in six categories, including No. 3 in passing yards per game and No. 6 in total offensive yards. Veltkamp's number one receiver, redshirt senior Easton Messer, was also the top receiver in the nation with 8.67 receptions per game. Messer ranked No. 10 nationally in receiving yards per game and No. 15 in total receiving yards. The duo are joined by the Owls' 2025 lead rusher in junior Kaden Shields-Dutton and welcomed the addition of redshirt senior and Division II All-American Leonard Farrow. A cast of new receivers have been added to the offensive side of the ball led by redshirt junior Texas Tech transfer Kelby Valsin.
Defensively, the Owls bulked up the line in support of their heartbeat redshirt senior DT CJ Doggette Jr., who led the team in sacks year ago. The line also returned redshirt junior Wilky Denaud, who has completed his move to the interior. The Owls added standout transfers in senior edge Jonathan Bax from TCU and redshirt junior Jay Crable from Ohio. The linebacker unit welcomes the return of redshirt senior Leon Hart Jr., the team's leading tackler in 2025, and junior Khmari Johnson as well as redshirt senior transfer Joseph Sipp Jr., who comes to Paradise from Kansas. The defensive backfield is expected to be a blend of experienced returners, led by graduate Damarius McGhee as well as newcomers including JK Johnson and Tyson Rooks.
2026 SUMMER ROSTER, COACHES AND SUPPORT STAFF
Click HERE.
2026 SUMMER PROSPECTUS
Click HERE.
PURCHASE YOUR 2026 SEASON TICKETS NOW
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.
FOLLOW THE TEAM
Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through football's Twitter and Instagram accounts @FAUFootball.
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