Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Transfers ready to take on key duties
MADISON, Wis. — Florida Atlantic’s roster during preseason football camp was a Rolodex of rotating names and numbers, with transfers joining the Owls and veteran players departing. Many of the new players garnered national attention for landing at FAU after their past stops, and most of them were late arrivals into Boca Raton.
Defensive end Kain Daub (began at Florida State) arrived at FAU on Aug. 8. Defensive tackle Jeremiah Taleni (Pittsburgh) arrived Aug. 9. Receiver John Franklin III (Florida State, East Mississippi Community College and Auburn) got to Boca on Aug. 18.
Taleni has started both FAU games this season, but Daub and Franklin have seen limited snaps in losses to Navy and Wisconsin. FAU coach Lane Kiffin cautioned about expecting the new additions to contribute too much early in the season, but after two games, Daub and Franklin may be ready to play a larger role with the Owls.
“Yeah, I think so,” Kiffin said. “I said that before the opener, that I think that everybody’s going to watch especially those two guys thinking that they’re going to go light it up. That just doesn’t happen. It’s not basketball or baseball. It’s a different sport. It takes a while to learn systems.”
Daub played the last few series against Wisconsin on Saturday, but didn’t see the field in the season opener. The former fivestar recruit has not yet recorded a tackle as an Owl.
Franklin has been backing up Tavaris “Pico” Harrison and DeAndre McNeal as outside receivers through the first two
games. A converted quarterback, Franklin has two receptions for 7 yards.
Defensive end Tim Bonner is another high-profile transfer to FAU who has had a minimal impact. Bonner, originally a Louisville Cardinal before attending EMCC, is a passrushing specialist who hasn’t been able to play on defense against the runheavy offenses such as Navy and Wisconsin.
Bonner became a fan favorite for his role in the Netflix series “Last Chance U” this season and has covered kickoffs early on for the Owls. He had a bruising tackle on kickoff coverage against Wisconsin on Saturday.
“I think that’s another example,” Kiffin said. “It’s a lot easier to cover kickoffs than it is to learn the whole defense. He’s got some guys playing really good at his spot. Hunter Snyder’s playing as good as anybody. We haven’t really played a passing team yet, so that’s kind of his deal as more of a rush guy. I think you’ll see him more and more as we go.”
Howell adjusting
For FAU running back Gregory “Buddy” Howell Jr., playing his last season for the Owls also means adjusting to a new role.
Howell has been relegated to a backup role behind Devin “Motor” Singletary and has only four carries through FAU’s first two games against Navy and Wisconsin. Instead, Howell has starred on special teams, as part of the Owls’ kickoff and punt return units.
“At times, it gets tough, but you got to be a team player,” Howell said. “You got to be able to do whatever. You got to be willing to do whatever to your fullest for your team to try and help them win. Basically, just accepting your role and doing what you got to do.”
Howell entered the 2017 season as a threat to some of FAU’s career records. He is 10 rushing touchdowns away from tying Alfred Morris for the most in school history. He is fourth all-time in rushing yards and fifth all-time in rushing attempts.
Last season, Howell rushed for 828 yards and 13 touchdowns, which set a single-season record for most rushing scores. This year, the Coral Gables graduate has 31 yards on four carries.
“I’m going to compete regardless,” Howell said. “I’m not gonna sit there and let anybody beat up on me. Special teams, I’m going to go out there and compete. Punt return, kick return, whatever I’m on, I’m going to compete. That’s just in me.
“I’m always going to go out there and try to win my rep. Win whenever I try to get to the ball, whenever I’m in blocking or whatever. Just go out there and go 100.”
Kiffin said Howell was one of the Owls’ special teams players of the game and that he expected an expanded role on offense for him.
“I’d anticipate him getting the ball more,” Kiffin said. “I think it’s just been some circumstantial things of not being able to run the ball really well, pass-happy in the first game. And really, not a lot of plays because we don’t make first downs on third down.”