Al-Shaair’s return firms up LB spot
Smith’s emergence as sophomore adds to position’s power.
BOCA RATON — Even on the loudest nights at FAU Stadium when fans chanted about wanting to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide, it was hard to ignore the shouts of Owls junior linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.
The vocal leader of a defense that went from abysmal to dangerous in 2017, Al-Shaair led the Owls with 146 tackles — third-most in the country — and had 10 tackles for loss.
After only three seasons, Al-Shaair is the Owls’ alltime leading tackler (353) and, in the minutes after FAU’s 50-3 win over Akron in the Boca Raton Bowl, he announced he’d return for his senior season.
“If you start something, you’ve got to finish it,” Al-Shaair said after a 13-tackle night against the Zips. “That’s what my mom taught me, you never start anything without finishing it.”
Let’s look at FAU’s linebackers heading into next season:
MVP: The best way to explain Al-Shaair’s case as MVP is to look at Owls’ final loss, a 34-31 defeat at Buffalo on Sept. 23 when Al-Shaair was on the bench with an elbow injury. Coach Lane Kiffin used that loss, one he later called “embarrassing,” in the following months to explain how the Owls’ defense lived through Al-Shaair and his excellent play.
Biggest surprise: Rashad Smith was one of the few defensive freshmen to make much of an impact in 2016, but few expected the sophomore to tie for the team lead in sacks this season.
Flourishing in Chris Kiffin’s defense, Smith had six sacks and added 12 tackles for loss and five pass deflections. When Al-Shaair leaves after next year, the Owls will at least have one final season of Smith to help ease the loss.
Who’s returning? Al-Shaair, Smith, Hosea Barnwell V, Kris Harris, Khantrell Burden, Kain Daub, Akileis Leroy and Bradley Clement are among the notable names returning.
Who’s leaving? At this time, FAU does not have any linebackers who have exhausted all years of eligibility or have announced an intent to transfer.
Biggest offseason story line: Will FAU prepare in advance for Al-Shaair’s departure through recruiting and transfers? Smith has proven himself to be a capable starter and Barnwell impressed after arriving as a walk-on last spring.
But many of the other linebackers are either unproven at the position (Leroy gave kickoff coverage a boost as a true freshman) or are entering their final year (Daub, Harris). Will linebacker this year become what wide receiver was last year for FAU in recruiting?