FAU football will look to continue strengthening their defense heading into 2024.
The Florida Atlantic Owls had an up and down season last year. FAU showed that the defensive side of their football team was their strength, and they’ll look to improve on that going into 2024. Boca Raton might not have the flash of other Florida schools, but it’s where players have opportunity to make a name for themselves.
Florida Atlantic 2024 Defensive Preview
Last season, the FAU defense was the strength of the Owls. They held four teams to under 17 points last season, and may need to perform at an even higher level heading into 2024.
Defensive Line
On the defensive line, the Owls lost 2023 sack leader Decarius Hawthorne to the transfer portal. Hawthorne had 4.5 sacks last season, and led the team with four quarterback hits. They also lost their second-leading sack leader, Evan Anderson, to the NFL. However, FAU adds Colorado’s Eric Brantley to a unit that desperately needs to improve their pass rush. Brantley was a three-star recruit who did not see playing time as a freshman with the Buffaloes. Heading to FAU, however, Brantley has an opportunity to become a staple on the Owls’ defense.
Alongside Brantley are two other transfers who hope to make a difference for the Owls. Senior Prince Boyd comes in from Purdue as a graduate transfer and may have a chance at being FAU’s starting defensive tackle. The Owls also brought in former four-star prospect Bryce Langston from FSU. Langston enters his junior season with relatively little football experience, but given the current construct of the defensive line, could find himself playing meaningful snaps for FAU in 2024.
Linebackers
The linebacker position may be the biggest strength on the Owls’ defense. Leading the charge is senior Jackson Ambush. Ambush played incredibly in his first season at FAU, leading the team with 89 tackles. Entering his final college football season, Ambush will look to play a critical role in FAU’s defense in 2024.
Alongside Ambush is fifth-year senior Desmond Tisdol. Tisdol transferred from Auburn last season and instantly made an impact on the Owls defense. In his first season with FAU, Tisdol secured 71 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Between Ambush and Tisdol, the Owls second line of defense should make other teams think twice before attacking. However, depth could be a concerning issue.
The Owls saw multiple players transfer out this offseason, with few coming in at the position. However, the team does have freshman Char’Quez Lee, a three-star product from La Salle who will look to quickly climb the depth chart this season.
Defensive Backs
The secondary for FAU has little football experience, but two incoming transfers will look to change that. Junior Phillip Dunham comes in from Indiana, and should instantly see time at the safety position. Dunham saw extensive time as a freshman with Indiana, and will look to bring knowledge and experience to the position group. The other incoming transfer for FAU is senior cornerback Kahzir “Buggs” Brown from Maine.
In three seasons with Maine, Brown totaled 74 tackles, six interceptions, 19 pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. Brown was a playmaker for the Black Bears, and looks to bring that reputation over to the Owls.
Can’t wait for year 2🥷🏾 pic.twitter.com/5vk8lyFoNJ
— Kahzir “Buggs” Brown (@kahzirbrown) July 3, 2022
Filling out the other starting spots on the secondary is sophomore Fabian Scott, senior Daedae Hill, and junior Jayden Williams. Scott saw little action as a freshman last season, and will step into a major role at the team’s free safety position.
At cornerback, Hill showed good ball skills last season, with two interceptions and four pass breakups. Being the senior on the team, Hill is another player that should step up alongside the aforementioned Brown and Durham. Meanwhile, Williams will look to build off an admirable performance last year at the nickelback position.
Behind the starters, FAU lacks experienced depth at the position. However, freshman cornerback Jaheim Miller and sophomore Cameron Goggins are worth keeping an eye on. Miller is a versatile three-star prospect who played both cornerback and safety in high school. Given those traits, FAU would be wise to utilize him in a plethora of ways on the football field in 2024.
Goggins comes in from Georgia Military (JUCO) and showed a real prowess as a defensive back. At GMC, Goggins logged two interceptions and 10 pass breakups. Goggins is a former two-way athlete, and should bring good depth to the Owl’s secondary.
