Clouds filled the skies at the Tom Oxley Athletic Field for the first time this fall camp, as the Florida Atlantic football team completed their 13th session on a warm Thursday morning. For the first time, wide receivers coach David Beaty and defensive line coach Roosevelt Maggitt made themselves available to media. “I feel like our entire group has taken that next step. These guys are buying into our mentality with physical and mental toughness, and they’re progressing the right way,” Maggitt said. Since he arrived to FAU, Beaty has been pleased with how the receivers embraced the new culture under head coach Tom Herman and have grown since then. “I’ve seen them come closer together as a group more tightened up, and that’s hard to say because they were already a pretty tightened up group,” Beaty said. The Owls will return to the Tom Oxley Athletic Field on Friday morning for their 14th day of fall camp in what will be a closed session. On Saturday, the team will hold their second scrimmage, which will also be closed. Sunday will see the official close to camp sessions, with the squad going through a light walk-through session designed at highlighting corrections. Game week pressers for the upcoming 2023 season featuring head coach Tom Herman, offensive coordinator Charlie Frye, and defensive coordinator Roc Bellantoni will start on August 21. Here are some notes from today’s media availability. OwlBytes for August 17th Throwing Bullseyes The quarterbacks got plenty of throws to the wide receivers during one of their drills with offensive coordinator Charlie Frye and wide receivers coach David Beaty (pictured below) today. This drill tested their ability to make their throws to the right place at the right time, ensuring the offense does not lose rhythm during in-game situations. The quarterbacks who looked the most accurate with their passes were Casey Thompson, Daniel Richardson, and Luke Rucker. As we mentioned back in the spring in our quarterbacks segment, the Owls gained the additions of Thompson, Rucker, and Carson Cruver over the summer. You can read that here . Positioning With Timing Tight ends and specials teams coach Chad Lunsford had the tight ends do a drill where they needed to have the right positioning behind the line of scrimmage and burst of speed when they run their routes in-game. Kahlil Brantley and Zeke Moore appeared to have solid timing with their reflexes, showcasing quick movement while correctly timing their runs. Booted Up The Owls have sustained some bumps and bruises throughout fall camp with aforementioned injuries to tight ends Elijah Brown and Jackson Sumlin, linebacker Zyere Horton, wide receiver Omari Hayes, and kicker Morgan Suarez. Defensive lineman Jude Okolo now joins that list as he was seen wearing a boot. Okolo joined the Owls from Illinois State via the transfer portal over the summer, as he looks to compete for a starting spot in the d-line. Star Watch: QB Casey Thompson Arguably the biggest addition to the Owls via the transfer portal, Thompson has not disappointed throughout fall camp. Having recovered from shoulder surgery over the spring and summer, he has not missed a step with his throws looking smooth and accurate as he competes with Daniel Richardson for the starting job. Reuniting with head coach Tom Herman as they both worked together at Texas from 2018 to 2020, he joined FAU from Nebraska as he threw for 2,407 yards and 17 passing touchdowns on a 63% completion rate in 10 games with the Huskers last season. Final Word Taking the next step to become better as a person is important. It is especially crucial for a team to improve when they are creating expectations that look to blow last year’s results out of the water and implement a new standard for future teams to follow. That was the energy Beaty and Maggitt both expressed about their groups with how the players are willing to learn and refine their game so they can help out their teammates, therefore growing their chemistry in a rapid manner. With fall camp just a few days away from ending, the Owls seem to be more complete and in unison with what they’re setting out to achieve this season. Coach’s Corner Wide receivers coach David Beaty, defensive line coach Roosevelt Maggitt, defensive lineman Latrell Jean (pictured top), and wide receiver Tony Johnson headline today’s Coach’s Corner.
