Fall camp keeps on chugging along for FAU, as amidst the intense South Florida heat the Owls were back at Schmidt Field on Tuesday morning and dove into situational drills and fine tuning technique, looking to continue on what has been a productive camp season so far for the Owls. 

Depth has been the story of this Owls squad so far, and although we may sound like a broken record, that is the story once again for the interior of the defensive line which features a multitude of returners and newcomers who have the ability to play an impact upfront for FAU this season. DL Coach Roosevelt Maggitt JR spoke on his unit saying that a bit more fine tuning and attention to detail and this unit could accomplish really special things this season in Boca. 

“We believe in technique and we want to keep drilling it every single day, we want to build muscle memory and be great with our technique, and we believe if we play with great technique we have a chance to be good,” Maggitt said. 

Accordingly, in our next positional preview, we take a look at the Interior Defensive Line unit.

Interior Defensive Line 

Returners:

Jaden Wheeler, Senior, 6’3 292 LBS
Jacob Merrifield, Senior, 6’3 290 LBS
Richard Thomas Jr, Sophomore, 6’3 280 LBS
Thomas Sledge, Redshirt Freshman, 6’4 240 LBS
Kiemar Richardson, Senior, 6’5 280 LBS

Transfers/Freshman:

Bryce Langston, Redshirt Junior Transfer from LSU, 6’3 300 LBS
Prince James Boyd, Grad Student transfer from Purdue, 6’1 290 Lbs
Devonta Davis, Senior transfer from JSU, 6’3 296 Lbs
Loren Ward, Freshman Cocoa FL, 6’2 250 LBS
Gabriel Birnbaum, Freshman Coconut Creek FL, 6’3 290 LBS


Key Returners:

Jaden Wheeler - Wheeler (photo left top, Christian Proscia) heads into his senior season with the Owls and has been a consistent riser in the interior defensive line room during his time here. Playing 11 games in each season since arriving in 2021, Wheeler has been finding different ways to contribute with his biggest threat being in the trenches stopping the run as he’s recorded 6.5 tackles for loss with a season high 3.5 last season. Wheeler has also been a threat in the pass rush department, providing consistent pressures which resulted in 2.5 sacks last season. Wheeler's strength, and in turn his bull rush, allow for him to overpower opposing lineman and heading into his senior season Wheeler is in his best shape yet and is looking to be a consistent contributor on the line for FAU. During camp he has received consistent reps with the 1st team and it can be expected he finds a serious role with this team, although with the depth of the unit it still may result in a rotational role.

“Just me being here and going to work every day, I try to do everything right. I’m not perfect by any means, technique wise, but I don’t complain I just put my head down and go to work,” Wheeler said on being a leader in the DL group. 

“We as a staff challenged Wheeler early in the offseason to step up as a leader, not as the loudest guy but with his actions, lead our group and make sure they’re running on the field the right way. He never complains, he’ll look you in the eyes, say ‘yes sir’ and give you his best. From a leadership standpoint he’s helping our group grow a lot,” DL Coach Roosevelt Maggitt said on Wheeler’s development as a leader. 

Jacob Merrifield - Merrifield (photo below, Rick Henderson) heads into his 4th official season with the owls as a redshirt junior and has been a fast riser in the program, earning a role in his redshirt freshman year in 2022 and keeping that role in 2023 and earning captain status last season. Merrifield has earned the respect of 2 different coaching staffs as a true run stuffing defensive tackle, not having the most finesse to his game but having strength to bully defenders and be a serious threat shutting down opposing runners before they can get past the line. Serving in a rotational role the past 2 seasons with run-stuffing being his main forte, Merrifield has impressed with that skill but has yet to earn a consistent role as his pass rush has been solid, however has not resulted in consistent pressures on opposing QBs. During fall camp Merrifield has rotated with both the 1s and 2s and has shown an increased pass-rush ability, however with the overall depth in this room it can be expected the Owls utilize Merrifield in role that capitalizes on his run stopping skill set and rotate him in with other lineman.

 

“Its hard because, you’re supposed to help someone and that guy can take my job, but at the end of the day I can’t see it as how can I get a 1 up on him, it’s more what I can do to help the team, and if he outperforms me that day then it’s for the betterment of the team, and if I outperform him he has to accept that, I think it can get lost that there has to be competition but at the end of the day we are 1 team and we have one goal,” Merrifield said on competing with teammates your are trying to lead.

“Jacob has come a long way, he’s a veteran D Lineman that has played a lot of college football, and has a lot of experience. He helped bring the other guys along, and has great versatility being able to play both the nose spot and the 3 technique, so we appreciate Jacob, he’s coming along and helping our group,” FAU DL Coach Roosevelt Maggitt Jr. On Merrifield’s development. 

Kiemar Richardson - Richardson heads into his 2nd year with the program and his senior season overall, having spent last year in a reserve role with the Owls learning the playbook and serving on scout team in 2023. Coming to the Owls after a season at Georgia Military college, Richardson has consistently increased his size during his time at post-grad and this past season at FAU and now standing at 6’5 280 LBS, Richardson has the size to make an impact in the interior of the defensive line for the Owls. During training camp Richardson has received rotational reps with the 2nd team and it can be expected for him to have a depth role with the interior of the defensive line this season for FAU.

“Kiemar is flashing, he’s got an NFL body type and has put on 35 pounds since he’s been here, he is coming along well,” FAU DL Coach Maggitt said on Kiemar’s development. 

Richard Thomas JR - Coming out of American Heritage as a 4 star in 2022, Thomas is one of the highest rated high school recruits on the defensive side of the ball for the Owls, having transferred to FAU from Indiana prior to last season. Thomas was unable to crack the depth chart in his first official non-redshirt season, serving in a depth role and seeing action in the season opener against Monmouth. As the number 42 prospect in the state of FL in 2022, Thomas dominated the high school levels in South Florida closing his HIS career with 232 tackles, 28 sacks, and 48 tackles for loss. Thomas has been unable to translate that production to the college level yet, but has consistently been improving during fall camp, showing a strong get off the ball and good foot and hand work. Thomas has also put on nearly 40 pounds since his first season with FAU along with an inch in height. With the increase in size and production during fall camp, Thomas may work himself into a depth role with the Owls and potentially earn playing time to show that potential which earned him a high ranking coming out of High School

“Shoutout to Joey and our strength staff, Richard came in here and legit put on almost 40 pounds of muscle and he still got faster. Joey does a great job with those guys, and Richard is a guy who has developed a ton. Right now he is working, some more time in fall camp to see where he ends up, but it’s all about competition. You have to continue to work and get better,” FAU DL Coach Maggitt said of Richard gaining 40 Lbs of muscle this offseason. 

Key Newcomers:

Bryce Langston - Langston heads into his first season with the Owls as an important portal addition on the interior for FAU. Playing for 3 seasons at LSU, Langston was never able to crack the depth chart while in the bayou, appearing in 4 games across 3 seasons but consistently improving his size and technique during his time with LSU. Hailing from Ocala FL, Langston returns to his home state and the former 4 star recruit has the chance to make an immediate impact in the middle for the Owls, as at 6’3 300 he has the size to be a serious threat up the middle for FAU and during the early portion of camp has had consistent reps with the 1st team defense. Langston is a true interior tackle, playing both a threat in the run and pass game having serious strength to move defenders out of his way and get to the QB or RB. Langston has been impressive during the early portion of camp and it can be expected barring something out of the ordinary that he is a first team DT come the home opener. 

Prince James Boyd - Boyd (phot below, Rick Henderson) heads to the Owls as a transfer from Purdue and in his 6th season of college football, having started at Independence CC before playing the past 3 seasons for the Boilermakers. Boyd was a fast riser during his first 2 years with Purdue carving out a solid rotational role in 2022, playing in 13 games and recording 14 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Unfortunately in 2023, he missed the entire season due to a variety of injuries so heading into his final season of eligibility with the Owls in 2024 it can be expected Boyd is going to fight for a role. During camp he has received a majority of his snaps with the 1st team as of the later portion, having worked his way up from 2nd team and having his advanced technique and pass rush abilities have been on display. It can be expected for Boyd to compete strongly for an interior DL position and serve as a veteran leader on this unit.

 

“Right now I have been running with the ones, and as far as the role I’ve taken is giving a lot of my experience, this being my 6th season, I’ve been everywhere and seen a lot of players and how they function. That’s how I was raised, my grandmother put a lot of emphasis on the value of different perspectives, so for me it’s about understanding how everyone thinks,” Boyd said on his role on and off the field since coming to FAU.

Devonta Davis - Davis heads into his first season as an Owl, having transferred from Jackson State in the early portion of the spring which has allowed him to have a clean transition to FAU. In 3 seasons at Jackson State Davis recorded 26 total tackles, a sack and 2 forced fumbles, serving in a rotational role in the middle. Davis has put on 10 LBS of muscle since transferring to FAU, and heading into his final year of eligibility has put himself in a position to earn a rotational role up the middle for FAU. Davis has impressed in the early position of camp, receiving reps with the 1st team and showing a strong run stuffing ability. Davis was unable to unlock his full potential while at Jackson state, however in his short time at FAU he has been impressing the coaching staff  and it can be expected he competes for a starting role for the Owls. 

OwlBytes

The Barber Is in Paradise Some people like to run in their free time, cook, or just relax, but for Owls DL Jaden Wheeler in his free time he has taken up barbery and has become a top option for Owls players looking to get a cut. 

“I started cutting hair in high school, we had dual enrollment and I was finished with my classes early so I would go learn to cut at the technical college. I knew a person who worked there and he would teach me, I wouldn’t say I’m the team barber but I have cut a few people on the team,” Wheeler said. 

The Story of the Prince Owls DL Prince James Boyd, has a name where some people may stop and wonder why he is called prince, well if you are wondering that, Boyd who is of Jamaican descent has a familial tradition where the father of the family becomes King James Boyd once the son is born. 

“If I have a son his name will be prince James, and mine will become king and it’s been like that forever, my father when he passed was King James but was born Prince James,” Boyd said. 

Coaches Corner DL Coach Roosevelt Maggitt Jr headlined our time in video interviews.



Up Next

FAU will be back in action on Wednesday, fine tuning and working on technique in preparation of their second scrimmage of camp, FAU Owls Nest will be previewing the running back room and speaking with Coach Perkins.