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Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Owls Close Camp with a Taper
8/20/2026 4:11:00 PM | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic football team spent less time on the field but completed a competitive practice and began using scouts to give both sides of the ball a more complete look.
It was a day of positives in all three phases of the game, including players dedication and 100% effort no matter the work task.
The Owls will have a lighter practice on Friday, gearing up for their second scrimmage of the preseason. The team will celebrate the conclusion of preseason with the 2026 Duffy's Fanfest (more details below), Saturday, Aug. 22. Classes will begin this weekend with most blending in a full class schedule starting Monday, Aug. 24.
PHOTO GALLERYGallery: (8-20-2026) Practice #14
QUOTABLE
Defensive Tackles / Run Game Coordinator Devin Santana
On using the offseason to bring in depth and build depth of the unit.
"No doubt, we did get bigger up front. I will say that for sure. The biggest thing we did was retain players. We were able to retain and then add size on top of that and add depth, which is awesome. Having a guy like CJ [Doggette Jr.] back and moving Wilky [Denaud] inside has been good for us, especially for our depth. Adding pieces like Blake Burris, retaining a guy like Earl Miller, I think he is invaluable, just an older guy in the room for us. Also, from a retention standpoint, retaining the young guys like Tycoolhill Luman, who has had a really good camp for us. You will see him featured this year. We did get deeper, we retained and we developed a lot, which is most important."
On option preparation
"We did a lot of studying in the spring. We worked a lot on it this summer, and then we've had dedicated days in this camp. It has been awesome just to see the progress from last year to this year. It has been really good. We have a really good plan for it. We play three teams, so we will have to be detailed and have multiple plans. But the biggest one is the first one.
Graduate WR RJ Garcia II
With the deep unit, besides you, who do you see flashing
"We have a really talented group. We are all really close-knit as well, which is the positive about it. We are all competing, but at the same time, we are pushing each other to get better, and we are friends off the field. We have really good older guys, who transferred in Kelby [Valsin], Dom [Dominique Henry], and Easton [Messer], whom people have primarily heard about. They are really good football players. For the young guys Elijah [West] has taken strides this fall camp and has done a lot of good things. Nicsaint [Joseph Jr.] got banged up since the spring but is also someone really talented and B Hoch [Brandon Hoch] along with some young guys who have a big future at FAU. We have good talent in the receiver room."
Fifth-year LB Joseph Sipp Jr.
How camp and development between spring and summer has gone
"It is all coming along pretty good..."
As an older guy, how are the young players coming along?
They are coming along pretty good. Guys like Hector [Chavez], even Nate [Fischer], can be considered a young guy. They are really starting to understand the defense and it is really showing in their play. They are starting to make more plays. Even with Charquez [Lee], a really big guy, is starting to come along as well. I'm trying to give them little tips and counters for our game because I have seen a lot of football. Just little things.
2026 FAN FEST
Duffy's Fan Fest Set for Aug. 22 at Flagler Credit Union Stadium
Florida Atlantic Athletics will host the second annual Duffy's Sports Grill Fan Fest at Flagler Credit Union Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 22. The free event begins at 5 p.m. and is headlined by a live concert outside the stadium and a drone show. Complete details HERE
2026 COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Click HERE.
2026 SUMMER PROSPECTUS
Click HERE.
2026 ROSTER, COACHES AND SUPPORT STAFF
Click HERE.
PURCHASE YOUR 2026 SEASON TICKETS NOW
2026 Florida Atlantic football season tickets are now on 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 HERE, email tickets@fau.edu, or call 1-866-FAU-OWLS during normal business hours to order tickets or to speak with a ticket sales representative.
FOLLOW THE TEAM
Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through football's Twitter and Instagram accounts @FAUFootball.
It was a day of positives in all three phases of the game, including players dedication and 100% effort no matter the work task.
The Owls will have a lighter practice on Friday, gearing up for their second scrimmage of the preseason. The team will celebrate the conclusion of preseason with the 2026 Duffy's Fanfest (more details below), Saturday, Aug. 22. Classes will begin this weekend with most blending in a full class schedule starting Monday, Aug. 24.
PHOTO GALLERY
QUOTABLE
Defensive Tackles / Run Game Coordinator Devin Santana
On using the offseason to bring in depth and build depth of the unit.
"No doubt, we did get bigger up front. I will say that for sure. The biggest thing we did was retain players. We were able to retain and then add size on top of that and add depth, which is awesome. Having a guy like CJ [Doggette Jr.] back and moving Wilky [Denaud] inside has been good for us, especially for our depth. Adding pieces like Blake Burris, retaining a guy like Earl Miller, I think he is invaluable, just an older guy in the room for us. Also, from a retention standpoint, retaining the young guys like Tycoolhill Luman, who has had a really good camp for us. You will see him featured this year. We did get deeper, we retained and we developed a lot, which is most important."
On option preparation
"We did a lot of studying in the spring. We worked a lot on it this summer, and then we've had dedicated days in this camp. It has been awesome just to see the progress from last year to this year. It has been really good. We have a really good plan for it. We play three teams, so we will have to be detailed and have multiple plans. But the biggest one is the first one.
Graduate WR RJ Garcia II
With the deep unit, besides you, who do you see flashing
"We have a really talented group. We are all really close-knit as well, which is the positive about it. We are all competing, but at the same time, we are pushing each other to get better, and we are friends off the field. We have really good older guys, who transferred in Kelby [Valsin], Dom [Dominique Henry], and Easton [Messer], whom people have primarily heard about. They are really good football players. For the young guys Elijah [West] has taken strides this fall camp and has done a lot of good things. Nicsaint [Joseph Jr.] got banged up since the spring but is also someone really talented and B Hoch [Brandon Hoch] along with some young guys who have a big future at FAU. We have good talent in the receiver room."
Fifth-year LB Joseph Sipp Jr.
How camp and development between spring and summer has gone
"It is all coming along pretty good..."
As an older guy, how are the young players coming along?
They are coming along pretty good. Guys like Hector [Chavez], even Nate [Fischer], can be considered a young guy. They are really starting to understand the defense and it is really showing in their play. They are starting to make more plays. Even with Charquez [Lee], a really big guy, is starting to come along as well. I'm trying to give them little tips and counters for our game because I have seen a lot of football. Just little things.
2026 FAN FEST
Duffy's Fan Fest Set for Aug. 22 at Flagler Credit Union Stadium
Florida Atlantic Athletics will host the second annual Duffy's Sports Grill Fan Fest at Flagler Credit Union Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 22. The free event begins at 5 p.m. and is headlined by a live concert outside the stadium and a drone show. Complete details HERE
2026 COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Click HERE.
2026 SUMMER PROSPECTUS
Click HERE.
2026 ROSTER, COACHES AND SUPPORT STAFF
Click HERE.
PURCHASE YOUR 2026 SEASON TICKETS NOW
2026 Florida Atlantic football season tickets are now on 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 HERE, email tickets@fau.edu, or call 1-866-FAU-OWLS during normal business hours to order tickets or to speak with a ticket sales representative.
FOLLOW THE TEAM
Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through football's Twitter and Instagram accounts @FAUFootball.
Players Mentioned
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