FAU football: Will Owls keep up success under Willie Taggart?

FAU will need to retool quickly on defensive side of ball

New defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt is a seasoned veteran, but he may have his hands full in year one with the Florida Atlantic defense. All Leavitt is going to have to do is replace five of the top six linemen, the top two linebackers and three starters in the secondary. That’s going to be a lot if the Owls want to challenge for another conference title, but Leavitt is regarded as one of the best in the business for a reason.

Leighton McCarthy is back after posting six sacks last season and he will have to lead the unit up front. David Belvin III Marcel Southall and Collin Dell are starting for the firs time this season after playing sparingly in the past.

The linebacking unit took a big hit when starter Akileis Leroy was suspended before the bowl game and was dropped form the spring roster. Leroy was a second-team all-conference player and hopefully for the Owls he will be able to return, because 101 tackles is hard to replace. Hosea Barnwell V will be back to lead the unit after having 57 tackles last season. Caliph Bryce will be starting for the first time after a 28-tackle year in 2019.

The secondary lost some major talent when Meiko Dotson decided that he would transfer to Florida State and he had an excellent year in 2019 and was tied for the nation’s lead in interceptions with nine. Safety Teja Young was slated to start this season, but was booted from the spring roster.

The safeties will be Zyon Gilbert and Ahman Ross, who both are very experienced.

Cornerback is going to be the main question in the secondary and the starters are projected to be redshirt senior Korel Smith and sophomore Ashton Mcneal, who both have small amounts of experience.