Offense
The quarterback position belongs to Caden Veltkamp. He threw for 3,641 yards, 24 touchdowns, and a nation leading 17 interceptions last season. The consistency on offense must improve. Look no further than the final two games of the season. Veltkamp threw for a program record 494 yards in a 48-45 loss against UConn. FAU followed that up with a three-point performance against ECU.
The running back room returns Kaden Shields-Dutton. With his return, and added transfers, there is hope that the running game will improve. The additions of Brady Tillman (D2 Edward Waters) and Leonard Farrow (D2 Fairmont State) are massive. Both have produced at the D2 level.
The wide receiver room returns experience in Easton Messer (104 receptions, 1,052 yards, and six touchdowns), Dominique Henry, and Branden Hoch. The additions of Kelby Valsin (Texas Tech), PJ Garcia II (Bowling Green), Jahmari Powell-Wanson (Maryland), Tucker Holloway (Virginia Tech), Antojuan Woody (JUCO), and multiple tight ends, are massive.
The offensive line room returns experience in Ja’Kavion Nonar, Vincent Fiacable, Mauricio Hinds, and Braden Cunningham. The additions of Ben Galloway (Georgia Tech), Aqil Meredith-Smith (Long Island), Kotrtez Winslow (Lamar), Aiden Jones (VMI), and Carson Osmus (Washington State) are massive.
Defense
The defensive line room must get better stopping the run. CJ Doggette Jr., Deshaun Batiste, Gavench Marcelin, and Wilky Denaud return. The additions of Blake Burris (SMU), Corey Clark (Mississippi State), LeBron Edmund (UT Martin), Jonathan Bax (TCU), Jay Crable (Ohio), and Kenyon Garner (D2 Livingstone) are massive.
The linebacker room returns experience in Leon Hart Jr., Zyere Horton, Khmari Johnson, and Hector Chavez. The additions of Joseph Sipp Jr. (Kansas) and Nate Fisher (San Diego) are massive for this unit. There is hope that Hart and Sipp can bolster the run defense.
The secondary must do better defending the pass. Damarius McGhee, Jayden Sweeney, Chris Tooley III, Derrick Rogers, and Domon Allen return. The additions of Amar Reynolds (Illinois), Wallace Foster IV (LSU), Tyson Rooks (Illinois), JK Johnson (Oklahoma State), Ahlston Ware (D2 Ferris State), and Bo Simpson-Nealy (Western Carolina) are massive.
Specialists
Both kicking and punting duties will belong to transfers but are major upgrades. Collin Rogers comes in from SMU, where he is the school’s all-time leading scorer, to kick. Reed Chandley comes in from Georgia State to punt. He was the best in the Sun Belt last season. Easton Messer averaged over 20 yards per punt return last season and is one of the best in the nation.
2026 Schedule
- 9/5 at Florida
- 9/12 Navy
- 9/19 FIU
- 9/26 at ULM
- 10/3 Texas Southern
- 10/17 at Army
- 10/24 Rice
- 10/29 at North Texas
- 11/5 UTSA
- 11/14 at Tulsa
- 11/21 South Florida
- 11/28 at East Carolina
Final Analysis
Zach Kittlet has an electric offense, but until FAU cuts down on turnovers and gets stops on defense, it will be difficult to reach a bowl. If the Owls do those things though, they could be playing for a lot more. Managing a tough early schedule will be key.
