⚡ CFB Dashboard

Florida Atlantic entered spring practice with its defensive base schemes already installed after expanding winter OTAs from six in 2025 to 10 in 2026, allowing the staff to shift more quickly toward finishing and evaluating playmakers.

FAU retained its entire full-time defensive staff and much of its support staff, providing continuity while it integrates a large group of new players.

Redshirt senior defensive lineman CJ Doggette Jr. returns as the physical leader of FAU's front, a priority unit for a schedule featuring three option teams in the first seven games plus run-oriented Florida and FIU offenses.

FAU's specialists combine returning continuity from Walker Adkinson and Alex Grace with veteran additions Collin Rogers and Reed Chandley, who had already worked together for six weeks before spring practice began.

Linebacker Joseph Sipp said early playbook work has let him play faster by mastering alignments and assignments before padded practice, while FAU intends to treat special teams aggressively as an extension of its offense.