Willie Taggart takes over at FAU but inherits a team that has lost a lot of talent

The Florida Atlantic Owls, the reigning champions of Conference USA, may be in for a rebuilding year.

For example, only one FAU player made the 2020 Conference USA’s preseason all-league team — senior left guard Desmond Noel.

Further, in the past nine months, the Owls have lost their coach (Lane Kiffin, to Ole Miss); their first-team All-American tight end (Harrison Bryant, to the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the NFL Draft); and first-team All-Conference-USA quarterback Chris Robison (dismissed from the team in August).

But wait, there’s more.

Cornerback Meiko Dotson, who tied for the national lead with nine interceptions, transferred to Florida State; talented pass-catcher John Raine (38 catches, six TDs) transferred to Northwestern; and second-team all-league linebacker Akileis Leroy and safety Teja Young left the team.

That leaves just five returning starters on offense and three on defense.

New Owls coach Willie Taggart, fired in November by Florida State after a 9-12 record in two years, is hoping to find the formula he enjoyed at USF from 2013 to 2016. His Bulls teams improved each year: from 2-10 to 4-8 to 8-5 and finally 10-2.

The good news is that FAU’s past two recruiting classes have been ranked No. 1 in Conference USA.

And despite the personnel losses, talent remains at FAU, where the Owls went 11-3 last year. They won seven consecutive games to end their season, routing UAB 49-6 in the C-USA title game and SMU 52-28 in the Boca Raton Bowl. Two of the losses were understandable — against Ohio State and UCF — and only a 36-31 home loss to Marshall disappointed.

But Taggart will have to find a new quarterback, and that’s a major issue. At running back, Alabama transfer BJ Emmons missed nine games last year due to a broken foot, rushing for 237 yards and six TDs in five games. He’s back for another shot in 2020.

FAU also returns its leading rusher, Malcolm Davidson, who ran for 711 yards, nine TDs and a 7.0 average.

“We’re really loaded back there,” Taggart said of his running backs. “I’ve been impressed.”

The passing game will miss Bryant’s 1,004 yards and seven TDs. John Mitchell, a 6-4, 220-pound senior, is the leading returning receiver (38 catches, 488 yards, five TDs). Senior Willie Wright, Duke transfer Aaron Young and Clemson transfer T.J. Chase are also in the rotation.

Sophomore Terique Owens — son of Hall of Fame receiver Terrell Owens — is hoping to compete for targets. But receiver Rashaan Lewis — son of legendary linebacker Ray Lewis — has entered the transfer portal, looking for his third college in three years.

At tight end, Hurricanes transfer Michael Irvin II — yes, he’s also the son of another NFL Hall of Famer — could emerge.

Defensively, senior safety Zyon Gilbert has all-conference potential; senior defensive end Leighton McCarthy had 10 1/2 tackles for losses last year; and sophomore linebacker Eddie Williams made C-USA’s 2019 All-Freshman team.

FAU is solid on special teams. Junior Vladimir Rivas made 17-of-25 field goals last year, including a 48-yarder. Sophomore punter Matt Hayball made the league’s all-freshman team last year with a 43.5 average.

Overall, this Owls season is looking like what happened to the program in 2018, when it slipped to a 5-7 record after going 11-3 and winning the league in 2017.

But even if that does happen, the future appears bright. The Owls have secured 27 commitments for the Class of 2021, which is currently ranked No. 1 in the league.

If that stands, it would be FAU’s third consecutive year on top of the league’s recruiting rankings. Their No. 1 recruit for 2021 is Deion Sanders’ son, Shedeur Sanders, a four-star quarterback. If Sanders signs with the Owls, he could lift the program to new heights.

This story was originally published September 3, 2020 at 12:00 PM.