The final practices of the week prior to scrimmage number 2 are underway at FAU fall camp, as the Owls took Schmidt practice field in shells and begun final preparations for Saturday.
The defense played a major role in the first scrimmage last week, and in attendance for Media availability on Thursday was the Coordinator of that defense Roc Bellantoni.
The story of off-season as previously mentioned has been depth, and Coach Bellantoni believes his unit is vastly improved because of the additions they’ve brought in, and the improvement of those who remained.
“We are light years ahead of where we were last year in regards to our scheme, We have bigger faster stronger players and we can do more now because our guys can handle more,” Bellantoni said,
Accordingly, in our next positional preview, we take a look at the Linebackers unit.
Linebackers
Returners:
Desmond Tisdol, WLB, 6’0 236 Lbs, Grad Student
Eddie Williams, WLB, 6’1 212 Lbs, Grad Student
Jarrett Jerrels, MLB, 6’2 227 Lbs, Senior
Jackson Ambush, MLB, 5’11 225 Lbs, Grad Student
Zyere Horton, MLB, 6’3 225 Lbs, Redshirt Sophomore
Makai Sawtelle, WLB, 6’2 228 Lbs. Redshirt Junior
Jadyn Church, MLB, 6’0 220 Lbs, Redshirt Freshman
Zachary Marino, WLB, 6’2 220Lbs, Redshirt Freshman
Transfers/Freshman: Tito Nunez, MLB, 6’1 220Lbs, Freshman, Homestead FL
Char’Quez Lee, WLB, 6’2 215 Lbs, Freshman, Miami FL
Key Returners:
Eddie Williams (WLB) – Williams (pictured top, Rick Henderson) is the OG of the Owls defense, heading into his 6th year in paradise and is set to play a feature role at the weakside LB position this year. Fully healthy this season after suffering a knee injury 2 years ago, Williams rotated in at LB in 4 games last year and worked back to full strength, recording 20 tackles, a TFL and a PBU. Prior to his knee injury in 2022, Williams was a top will linebacker for the Owls and during fall camp he has been making it clear that his pre-injury form is back and he is ready to make an impact.
During camp Williams has been a mainstay with the 1st unit. Williams has also been more of a vocal leader heading into his final year. That leadership, combined with his on the field ability will make him a diverse contributor for this Owls defense.
“We are just going to refer back to our training. We preach 1-0 everyday and that’s what we’re going to go out there and do,” Williams said.
Desmond Tisdol (WLB) – Tisdol established himself a leader of this defense in his first year with the Owls. In year one he was able to staple himself an elite weakside linebacker for the Owls with a strong ability to contribute in both the pass and run game.
Tisdol is a longtime Coach Roc recruit and found success his first year in Boca. Playing in all 12 games last season, Tisdol recorded 70 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks and 2 passes defended. With extremely solid footwork and good ball reaction, Tisdol has natural traits that are desired for an elite linebacker. This allowed for him to exchange between both the wlb and nickel positions, and made the defense extremely diverse. Tisdol took on the addition of nickel during the offseason and will see rotational reps throughout the season.
After deciding to stick with the Owls following an extremely productive 2023 season, expect Tisdol to have another strong year over the middle for the Owls and potentially build his pro resume heading into his grad year.
Quotable: “Playing in the run game (is what I enjoy more), even though I can pass cover I like to fit the run a lot more, but I don’t have a problem going out to cover,” Tisdol said.
“He asked me last year if I can play nickel and I told him I can, and it’s just about learning the defense and what nickel do, so instead of will I’m learning nickel now. Being able to go out there, cover and blitz off the edge, and the different things we do in that personnel i’m helping out,” Tisdol said of Des Tisdol of adding nickel to his game.
Jackson Ambush (MLB)- Ambush heads into his second year with the Owls as the de facto quarterback of the defense, anchoring the middle of the unit and in year 2 another big year for Ambush may be inbound. A high IQ linebacker, Ambush has top notch play awareness and solid physical abilities to match which makes him a force in both the run and pass game.
After transferring from Albany prior to last season, Ambush (pictured below, Rick Henderson) immediately burst on the scene, recording 89 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, a sack, and interception. Year 2 has the chance to see that improve, as on top of working on the little things in his game throughout the offseason, Ambush will now be assisted with the addition of helmet mics which will allow for a direct line of contact with DC Roc Bellantoni. This should allow for Ambush to help execute the play calling side of the middle linebacker position and focus on executing his assignment each play.
Expect Ambush to have another impactful season at MLB for the Owls, and like Tisdol with a big season could find himself gaining NFL draft looks come season’s end.
Quotable: “Being a vocal leader and helping lead these guys which will end up getting us a championship with this team,” Ambush said of his personal goal for the season.
“Our bodies feel a lot better this go around at camp, especially for me because last year I came in off surgery and that heat death in south Florida,” Ambush said on the difference between his first and second camp at FAU.
Jarrett Jerrels (MLB) – Another veteran for this Owls Linebacker unit, Jerrels has seen his role increased each year for the Owls and this past season was his most productive to date. Playing in all 12 games last year, Jerrels recorded 33 tackles, 2 TFLs, an interception and a PBU serving as the backup middle linebacker in this defense. Jerrels is an elite 2nd string MLB to have, as he possesses many of the traits you want in a starting MLB including being a vocal leader and solid contributor in both the pass and run game.
With solid speed also for a linebacker, Jerrels is able to pursue up field at an elite level while also being able to hold his own in coverage. Expect for Jerrels to see a consistent rotational role this season as a well above average backup middle linebacker.
Key Newcomer:
Char’Quez Lee (WLB)- One of the only freshmen in this unit, Lee has burst on the scene since arriving in paradise and has become a fast riser in the linebacker department. Coming from Miami Palmetto HS, Lee is fresh off 2 seasons in which he really dominated, combining for 140 tackles, 6 TFLs, a forced fumble and an interception in his Junior and Senior years.
At 6 ‘2 195 LBS Lee has the natural size to contribute at the Lb position for the Owls, and is working past the normal freshman issues such as playbook retention and technique, consitently working towards earning in game reps and making the travel squad.
Owl Bytes
Living in the now With the top 2 players at both Weak-side and Middle linebacker set to depart after this season, FAU DC Roc Bellantoni spoke on what the future holds in the LB room. In today’s day and age, Coach Roc is focusing on enjoying the moment and the talent they currently have.
“I can’t speculate on who will be here and who we will go get, I know we have some really good commitments right now that I’m really happy with, who are going to come in and challenge for jobs,” Bellantoni said. “We have a couple of young guys that are hopefully still going to be here next year, that can grow in the system and become guys like the ones that are walking out the door, but in today’s day and age I’m trying to enjoy today.”
Reading Keys in your Dreams-
This season the NCAA will have earpieces in the headset of the MLB for teams, and Jackson Ambush will be that delegate for the Owls defense and although he agrees it has made things easier, it has also resulted in him hearing Coach Roc all the time, even at points where he may not want to.
“I compare it to like having a crew chief in NASCAR, it’s simple and second nature, but sometimes when I go to sleep I can still hear his (Coach Bellantoni’s) voice,” Said Ambush jokingly.
Coaches Corner DC Roc Bellantoni headlined our time in video interviews.
Up Next The Owls have one final practice in Shells tomorrow prior to the second scrimmage of the year and will look to fine tune their technique before Saturday. With the last official practice on deck tomorrow, FAU Owls Nest will be profiling the QB position, a room which is still undecided although it seems that Cam Fancher has taken a lead for QB1.