Joseph, Schomp top Owls’ all-time special-teams aces

BOCA RATON — Few teams can be successful without strong special-teams play, whether it’s the punter pinning opposing offenses near their own end zone or a kicker making a lengthy field goal to win the game.

The 2018 season will be FAU’s 15th in Division I (officially the Football Bowl Subdivision, or FBS) so we are looking at the best players in Owls history at each position. Today, we conclude the series with a look at special teams:

FIRST TEAM

Kicker — Greg Joseph (2014-17): While Joseph (American Heritage) slumped at the end of his senior season, his powerful leg and scoring records make him a fine first-team choice. A walk-on in 2013 who officially joined the team the next season, Joseph is the program leader in total points scored (336), field goals (57), field goals attempted (82), extra points made (165), and extra points attempted (170). Joseph also ranks second in PAT kick percentage behind only Andy Rosas, who made all 13 of his extra points from 2001-03. His 54-yard field goal against Navy last season set a new program record. After going undrafted, Joseph signed with the Dolphins and is competing with seventh-round pick Jason Sanders for the starting role.

Punter — Dalton Schomp (2012-16): Schomp demonstrated a knack for booming punts, which forced opponents to start drives within their 20. A First-Team All-Conference USA selection in 2015 and a second-team honoree in 2014, Schomp benefited from the Owls using a two-punter system where Ryan Rickel — the team’s primary punter last season — would handle pooch punts. During a 52-3 blowout loss to Western Kentucky in Oct. 2016, Schomp set a program record by punting 10 times for 466 yards.

Returner — Kerrith Whyte (2015-): A Seminole Ridge alumnus, Whyte has already made an instant impact on special teams with two seasons of eligibility remaining. Whyte was named to the All-CUSA Freshmen Team in 2016 as a kick returner after setting a single-season program record by recording 1,002 yards on kickoff returns, but saved his biggest moment yet for his sophomore season. After going 200 games without a kickoff return for a touchdown, FAU saw Whyte etch his name into the record books with a 98-yard return in a 48-23 win over Louisiana Tech on Nov. 11.

SECOND TEAM

Kicker — Warley Leroy (2004-08): Though Leroy only made 68.4 percent of his field goals, the American Heritage graduate nailed 29 of 40 kicks in his final two seasons. Leroy hit five of his six extra points in the Owls’ 2007 New Orleans Bowl win over Memphis and is fourth all-time in scoring.

Punter — Mickey Groody (2007-11): Howard Schnellenberger’s final punter more than lived up to the pressure in his time with the Owls. An All Sun-Belt first-team selection in 2010, Groody leads FAU in total punts (217) and punt yards (9,127). After serving as an assistant at Vero Beach for six years, Groody was hired to coach John Carroll Catholic High School this spring.

Returner — Lucky Whitehead (2013-14): Whitehead is the first, and only, player to make two All-Owl teams, as the former Dallas Cowboy was also a third-team selection at wide receiver. While he only played two seasons in Boca Raton, Whitehead ranks fourth in program history in punt return yards (312), bringing one back for a touchdown in 2014, the same season he averaged 24.7 yards per kickoff return.

THIRD TEAM

Kicker — Mark Myers (2001-04): Myers, the Owls’ first kicker, is second to Joseph in most of the school’s kicking stats, Myers made 20-of-28 field goals in 2004, later getting tryouts with the Washington Redskins and New York Jets. Myers also played for the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2006, making five field goals in six tries.

Punter — Sean Kelly (2012-13): Kelly spent two seasons at FAU before transferring to Tallahassee Junior College and later winding up at Clemson. An All-CUSA second-team selection in 2013, Kelly still ranks third in average yards per punt (41.31) and total punt yards (3,034). Kelly’s 462 punt yards against Auburn in 2013 are second-most in program history.

Returner — Di’Ivory Edgecomb (2005-08): Only Alfred Morris and Devin Singletary have more all-purpose yards in program history than Edgecomb’s 3,498. Edgecomb is the program leader in kick return yards (1,916).