Today marked the official beginning of FAU training camp as the Owls hit Tom Oxley field, getting initial work in as the Owls look to finalize multiple positional battles over the next couple of weeks. The first session of training camp has come and gone for FAU and although today was a bit of a warming up period for the Owls as they get back in full swing, its still an opportunity for players to make first impressions on the coaching staff and put the culture that has been established on full display on the field. Herman believes that although there were some typical first day miscues, his team took well to criticism on the first day of camp, and after day 1 he is pleased with the effort. Youre not going to win a job on day 1, but you can certainly make an impression, one or way or another. Its about choosing to give maximum effort on every play, and I saw what I normally see, but in a good way. Having to correct a few mistakes here and there was very well received by the players. At times, other seasons, there would have been some side-talk and excuses made, it was hey, the old man is right lets get our cr*p together and get to work, Herman said. Below are our observations for the session during the open viewing period, and the interview period with Coach Tom Herman. OwlBytes The QB Race The Quarterback position (photo above), arguably the biggest positional battle to note featured 4 quarterbacks rotating during drill period, Cam Fancher and Tyriq Starks who both lead in terms of overall reps, along with Colorado transfer Kasen Weisman and freshman Michael Valentino. Starks is in year 2 for the Owls, while Fancher transferred in from Marshall and comes into this battle with starting experience, which Owls WR BJ Alexander says is helping him adjust, however also mentioning that the battle is still wide open. I would say Cam has leadership more down pat, he was the starter at Marshall, he has some. Games under his belt, so he knows how to lead the team. Tyriq is not too far behind, he has some work to do on the leadership side, but it could go either way, Alexander said. Buy In Alexander has been an Owl since 2020 after transferring from Kentucky and has been apart of 3 different Owl regimes, including the Willie Taggart era, which when comparing the stage of the programs in year 2 under Taggart and now heading into year 2 under Herman, says is a big difference in terms of players buying in. It comes down to just buying in, I will say during the Taggert Era there wasnt enough buying in, people doing their own thing, not taking the coaching as well. With Coach Herman, people are starting to buy in, nothing too crazy, nothing different but we are just buying into the culture, Alexander said. After working with a roster that wasnt entirely his selection in 2023, Herman was able to bring in a strong portal & recruit class in 2024. Not only does he believe that his class is talented, but the culture of buying that Alexander mentioned, is something that Herman believes is evident in this team as well. We upgraded the talent, but we also upgraded the people. The majority of the team has bought into the way we’re doing things, Herman said. Getting a Jump In terms of the defensive side of the ball, the line, particularly the Edge rushers were a group that received part of that major upgrade in talent. FAU brought in an array of talent, including Colorado transfer Eric Brantley Jr and Auburn transfer Wilky Denaud, but it wasnt the Ex P5 players who stole the show during the 1st practice, it was August Salvati from Kilgore College and Chisom Ifeyani from Shippensburg who shined in the eyes of FAU Coach Tom Herman early on. You can tell if a guy jumps off the ball or not (in the first practice) and Chisom certainly displayed that in the spring and Marlo is not quite full, but he will be and he looks great going through drills. Salvati was a guy that jumped off the ball today, weve got some dudes that have twitch coming off the ball that we didnt have last year at that position I feel a lot better about that position than we have in the past, Herman said. Culture Club With a boatload of talent transferring in this past offseason, and talent remaining from last year, there will be some players who dont receive the starting nod week one, which for some individuals may be disheartening. Although it may be disheartening to not receive the 1st team job, FAU having depth across the board is something that is critical incase of injuries and Eddie Williams, a veteran LB for the Owls believes that the culture that has been put in place at FAU will keep those players who dont start week 1 dialed in no matter what. Yeah, its a culture and our culture is here. Everybody is bought in and wants to win, so everybody is going to do their job, Williams said. Coaches Corner Head Coach Tom Herman addressed the media at the close of today’s action. Here is what he had to say. The Owls got to work indeed, and that work will continue over the next couple of weeks, as more positional battles ensue, more players breakout, and the 2024 Owls are shaped and molded into what will be put on display week 1 against Michigan State. For now, they will be back on the Tom Oxley fields tomorrow for day two of their camp cycle, once again in helmets and jerseys.
