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FAU Football Spring Preview: Defensive Tackles




Returning:
Trevon Coley (39 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks) - Sophomore
Brandin Bryant (35 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks) - RS Sophomore
Kayvon Sherrill (9 tackles, 1 TFL) - Senior
Rodney Lamar (2 tackles) - Senior
Isaac Edwards - RS Freshman
Shane Blair - Sophomore

Newcomers:
Lance Burlingame - Freshman
Derek Butcher - Sophomore

On the Way:
None.

-Stats are from last season.

Overview: Florida Atlantic returns two starters at defensive tackle in Trevon Coley and Brandin Bryant. Coley started every game last season as a true freshman, and finished eighth on the team with 39 tackles. The lineman became the first FAU player since 2004 to play on both sides of the ball, as he was often used on offense as an extra blocker in short-yardage situations. Bryant (pictured above) secured the other starting tackle position after the second game of the season. The former junior college transfer became a staple next to Coley and helped form the interior of the Owl’s defense. Jimmy Jean graduated in the offseason, leaving just two other tackles in the rotation with game experience. Senior Kayvon Sherrill saw some playing time along with walk-on Rodney Lamar. FAU will welcome two junior college signees this spring with Derek Butcher and Lance Burlingame. The two are expected to provide instant depth at the position and give the Owls more bodies in the rotation. Isaac Edwards redshirted last season, but is expected to compete for playing time this fall.

Player on the Spot: - Kayvon Sherrill - Sherrill signed with FAU out of junior college over offers from Indiana and Kansas State. He started one game last season and racked up a season-high two tackles against Alabama and Georgia. Sherrill is entering his senior season, and will be asked to provide leadership for a relatively young group.
 
Remember the Name: - Derek Butcher - Butcher comes to Boca Raton after a season at North Dakota State College of Science. He is regarded as a high-motor individual, and should mold quickly to the Owl’s defensive schemes.

Key Stat: - 202.08 - FAU finished dead last in the conference last season in run defense, giving up an average of 202.08 rushing yards per game. The Owl’s will need to improve that mark next year, and it will start with the interior of the line.

Forecast: Coley and Bryant will be participating in their first spring practices with FAU. While it’s nice that the team has a pair of able bodies at defensive tackle, depth was a major concern last season. Late in games the pass rush disappeared and opposing quarterbacks where often able to pick apart the defense. Establishing a set rotation will be one of the keys for the defense this spring. Expect Burlingame, Butcher, Edwards and Sherrill to all get repetitions with the first team defense. The more players that FAU can insert in the rotation, the better.

Up Next: Defensive Ends

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