Despite being one of the least efficient offenses in the FBS, Florida Atlantic was still one of the stronger teams in the Conference USA. The reason for that is, quite simply, a dominant defense. The Owls finished with the 10th best scoring defense in college football and the 24th best total defense. That performance landed defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt a new gig as the defensive play-caller at SMU, but Taggart replaced him with another experienced coach in Mike Stoops.
The former Arizona head coach spent the last two seasons as an analyst at Alabama, but he’s considered one of the better defensive minds in college football. He should be able to find a lot of success inheriting a unit that was already one of the Group of Five’s best.
The team returns last year’s leading tackler with 72 in linebacker Chase Lasater, as well as cornerback Zyon Gilbert, who had 46 tackles, a pick and five pass deflections, and edge rusher Jaylon Joyner, who totaled 5.5 sacks last season.
The team will, however, look to a couple of young starters. True freshmen Courtney McBride (outside linebacker) and Jaden Wheeler (defensive line) will start against the Gators. Even some of the Owls veterans will be inexperienced. At the STAR linebacker/safety hybrid position, redshirt senior Korel Smith beat out 2020 starter Ahmad Ross, though both will likely see significant reps on Saturday.
In the secondary, senior Diashun Moss beat out Romain Mungin to start opposite Gilbert, while the team returns starters at safety in Teja Young and Jordan Helm. This may be a unit due for a slight step back, but it should remain formidable in 2021.
NEXT: Overall thoughts