BOCA RATON — Florida Atlantic may be emerging as a national program under head coach Lane Kiffin, but the program is still built from its heavy foundation in Palm Beach County.
Since the program was founded by Howard Schnellenberger in 1998 and began play in 2001 as a Division I-AA program, the Owls have tried to mostly focus on signing and developing local players. FAU’s first Conference USA championship last year – and first winning season since 2008 – featured 14 players from Palm Beach County and 49 from Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties.
FAU will begin training camp this Friday with 15 former Palm Beach County players on their active roster, including AP All-American running back Devin Singletary (American Heritage) and All-Conference USA safety Jalen Young (Seminole Ridge).