FAU football looks to bounce-back in their second season in the AAC.
College football is right around the corner and fans are thirsty with anticipation. With a new playoff format and conference alignment, the SEC and the Big Ten will likely have a stranglehold on the NCAA once again. However, not all intrigue is reserved for the Power Four conferences. The AAC, or American Athletic Conference houses teams like SMU and Tulane, who are in a position to potentially compete for a playoff spot. Another prominent member of the conference is Florida Atlantic University. After an underwhelming 2023, are the FAU Owls poised to rebound? Follow along as we preview the 2024 season for FAU football in their second year in the AAC under the Tom Herman era.
2024 FAU Football Preview
The Owls entered a new era in more than one way last season. Along with leaping to the American Athletic Conference, it was FAU’s first season under head coach Tom Herman. Herman previously was the head coach for the Texas Longhorns before taking the job in Boca Raton.
Similar to 2023, Herman’s squad looks to be in a rebuild heading into 2024. The Owls will have 35 newcomers to their roster, with 21 freshmen and 14 transfers. This is reflected in their current projected depth chart; FAU currently has seven new additions penciled in as starters.
One such player is the team’s projected quarterback, Cameron Fancher. Playing sporadically throughout three seasons, Fancher mustered 3,722 yards and 21 touchdowns while throwing 17 interceptions. However, there are some interesting underlying statistics; Fancher saw his players have 27 drops and had an adjusted completion percentage of over 77%. He also had 15 big-time throws, showing a willingness to attack down the field.
FAU also is projected to start two newcomers at wide receiver. One player is Milan Tucker, who arrived at the Owls by way of Appalachian State. He did not have much production at his last stop, but with 155 yards after the catch, Tucker looks like a fun player to get the ball in space. The other newcomer is former Buffalo receiver Marlyn Johnson. Compared to Tucker, Johnson offers jump ball capabilities at 6 feet 4 inches, having 13 contested catches over the past two seasons. He also provides a deep threat, having an ADOT of 10.5.
On the defensive side of the ball, Kahzir Brown and Phillip Dunnam arrived at FAU to bolster the secondary. Brown, who played at Maine for three seasons, demonstrated all-around talent at the cornerback position. He can make every tackle, having over 40 tackles in two straight seasons. In the passing game, Brown had a sack and six interceptions over his three seasons.
Dunnam is coming off of a highly productive 2023 season in the Big Ten with Indiana. As a safety, Dunnam had three interceptions and five pass breakups in the passing game. He also contributed four pressures, 46 tackles, and overall solid run defense for the Hoosiers.
Overall, FAU fans should expect a step forward in production in 2024 but not a leap into significant contention.
When looking at their roster and schedule, the Owls have plenty of winnable games. Their stretch from September 7-28 of Army, FIU, UConn, and Wagner should allow Herman’s squad to gain some momentum. Other games that could be won are against North Texas and Temple.
However, for FAU to win those games, improvements must be made in critical areas. They must have a more balanced offense, led in major part by their new quarterback. Their new and old pieces, whether on the offense or defense, need to mesh together and show signs of progress early in the season.
There are many things to be optimistic about, but FAU fans should still be cautious. 2025 will likely be the first year the Owls see actual results, but 2024 can still serve as a year for the AAC member to push toward bowl eligibility.
