Day 8 of FAU Fall Camp saw a lighter day as the Owls are one day out from their first scrimmage of camp. As individual drills played out during our 12 minute-viewing period, we spent time watching the linebacker room work on sled drills.
After practice we had the chance to speak with LBs coach Aaron Schwanz, Rob Lee, and Leon Hart.
After highlighting two offensive skill positions and special teams, it’s now time for some defense. Here is your linebacker positional preview.
The Linebackers
Coach Schwanz came to FAU with a solid resume. From appearances in the FCS Playoffs, conference title wins, bowl games, and even a national title while his time on staff at LSU, Schwanz knows what’s needed to win.
Schwanz spoke on the mentality the linebacker room shares with some of those teams he coached, “We talked about having a be here now mindset. Be where your feet are. Understand the situation and go from there. Just because one thing goes wrong doesn’t mean it’s got to compile. And I think that shows the true character and true maturity of our room and of the defense as a whole”
Another highlight from Schwanz’s media availability was the group’s overall mindset “I know this, that our guys, when it’s a live situation, they’re going to come ready to play with the right mindset.”
The Freshmen
Rob Lee – Freshman, 6’1, 210 Ibs
Hector Chavez – Freshman, 5’10, 215 Ibs
Tito Nunez – Redshirt Freshman, 6’1, 210 Ibs
Char’Quez Lee – Redshirt Freshman, 6’2, 215 Ibs
The two true freshmen in Rob Lee and Chavez have received high praise from one of the team’s most vocal leaders. Tyler Stolsky shared during his media availability on Thursday, “I call them my ‘little rock bash baby backers’, like, they will hit you. They are not scared of contact at all.”
Stolsky continued on about the duo, “Those two are going to find a role faster than they probably anticipated, just because of how hard they play and how much effort they put in, even off the field. Picking up the scheme, and just how hard they play, those two guys, yeah, they’re young make young mistakes, but every day they’re steadily improving and growing.”
Rob Lee
Rob Lee came into Florida Atlantic as a 3-star recruit and was named an Adidas Freshman All-American. He is expected to be a major player in a couple of years, but already has his flashes. Coach Schwanz shared from a drill on Thursday, “we had short yardage and goal line yesterday. I said ‘Well this is a Rob Lee type of day.”
Schwanz continued on about the drill, “The last play of inside, Rob sets the whole entire practice off. You know, big plays fuel emotion, and that’s how it is in games. And one thing I know is, when the ball moves, Rob’s coming to play.”
🦉🎙️ What does @FAUFootball LB @CoachSchwanz think about his room? GLAD YOU ASKED. The final coach interview of the week starts NOW #FAU 🌴🏈 pic.twitter.com/SXgHbFFRBc
— FAU Owls Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) August 8, 2025
Hector Chavez
Hector Chavez was considered a top 25 linebacker from the state of Florida during his recruitment. Another that is expected to be more so a depth piece, this season could most likely shape up as a redshirt year for him.
Tito Nunez
The redshirt freshman joined the Owls during the 2024 Summer. While not seeing time on the field last season, Nunez will be expected as a depth piece and could be seeing time on special teams.
Char’Quez Lee
The Owls redshirt freshman has something most of the linebacker room does not have, experience on the field in an FAU uniform. Last season, Lee took advantage of the redshirt rule as he made appearances in four games. While not recording a stat, with a linebacker room that experienced a lot of turnover, it is nice to see a familiar face.
During the Spring, Lee played in the Mike poison as he had the green dot on his helmet. While that may change as Fall Camp progresses, it shows that the coaching staff put trust in Lee early on.
The Upperclassmen
Khmari Johnson – Junior, 6’1, 220 Ibs
RJ Lampkin – Junior, 6’1, 190 Ibs
Leon Hart Jr – Redshirt Junior, 6’0, 215 Ibs
Zyere Horton – Redshirt Junior, 6’3, 225 Ibs
Tyler Stolsky – Redshirt Junior, 6’3, 225 Ibs
Three out of the five upperclassmen in the Florida Atlantic linebacker room transferred in this year.
Coach Schwanz shared his thoughts about the incoming transfers on Friday, “We made a [couple moves in the portal]. When we first got here in that winter portal period, we bought Tyler and Leon in. We’ve been fortunate to get them early, and then to continue to see them grow as we go throughout the whole process. And then we brought Khmari in here in the summer period. Just to continue to provide. The one thing the room is going to be built on is competition. And we wanted to make sure that we continue to do that throughout the season.”
With the “competition” heating up thanks to the Owls first scrimmage on Saturday, these five players will be doing what they can to run with the ones come August 30th.
Khmari Johnson
When talked about by Coach Schwanz, Johnson was mentioned as a “great piece and great acquisition.” Schwanz shared, “Football is important to him, and he’s been a great addition to the room, for sure
Johnson joined the Owls after playing for Coffeyville CC at the JUCO level the past two seasons. It was a breakout year for the linebacker as he finished top 20 in tackles at the JUCO level with 83, recorded four sacks, had an interception, and recorded a fumble recovery for a touchdown. If anyone were to be thrusted into a starting role, Johnson seems to know what is expected of him.
RJ Lampkin
Lampkin spent time as a student at FAU before joining the football team over the Summer. Before his stint at Florida Atlantic, the Junior played at Presbyterian in 2023. That year, Lampkin saw no playing time. If we were to see Lampkin this season, it would most likely be on special teams.
Leon Hart Jr.
The redshirt junior came to the Owls after three seasons with Marshall. Most of his time was spent with special teams, but came off the bench in the linebacker role when needed. Hart was highlighted today as being the “most consistent performer in the linebacker room throughout Fall Camp.” Coach Schwanz said “[Hart is] a student of the game. Loves football, consistent attitude, consistent action. He works with the younger players, always looking to make somebody else better, and not just add to the group, but multiply or make the others better as well.”
Hart also shared his excitement on being an Owl, “I’m very happy to be here at Florida Atlantic, the place I wanted to be. It just so happened Coach Kit just came and grabbed me. And I’m just thankful for the opportunity.”
Zyere Horton
In a media appearance on Thursday, Stolsky mentioned who he played alongside during drills or scrimmages. Those two names were Leon Hart and Zyere Horton. Horton is the second Owl that stayed burrowed in Paradise from the linebacker room.
Last season, Horton was making plays on special teams, but seems to be in line for a bigger role when it’s time for kickoff. Stolsky added that it’s “fun” playing with Zyere and that “they have the scheme down.”
Tyler Stolsky
Stolsky has been a name many have mentioned as soon as he stepped foot on campus. The former Minnesota linebacker spent most of his time on special teams. During that stint, Stolsky earned a captain role for the special teams unit, something he shared on Thursday.
Defensive coordinator Brett Dewhurst said, “[Stolsky is] another coach on the field.” That energy showed in Stolsky’s comments on Thursday as he praised every single linebacker in the room when asked to just name drop a few guys.
The only problem now for Stolsky is health. He walked into the media room with an iced up left hand and shared that he is dealing with an ear infection. The Michigan native was also absent from practice on Friday so it can be assumed he is questionable for the scrimmage on Saturday.
Up Next
FAU will spend Saturday, Day 9, in a closed scrimmage with no media availability afterwards. Sunday will be an off day before the Owls will return on Monday. Our focus on the day will be the defensive backs as coach Antonio Fenelus and a few players are expected to speak.
