After a closed scrimmage on Saturday, the Florida Atlantic Owls took an off day on Sunday before returning back to the Schmidt Family Complex on Monday.
During a beautiful morning in Paradise, individual drills once again played out. We spent time during the 12 minute viewing period watching the defensive backs.
During media availability we had the opportunity to speak with defensive backs coach Antonio Fenelus, freshman DB Zion Paret, and redshirt sophomore Derrick Rogers.
The Freshmen
Damon Allen – 6’1, 185 Ibs
Josiah Farmer – 5’11, 195 Ibs
Zion Paret – 6’0, 180 lbs
The freshman class brings a lot of talent to the Owls with one standout putting himself in a starting role come kickoff against Maryland. On Monday, Coach Fenelus shared “What we’re trying to get these guys to understand is, no matter what your role is, we’re going to need everybody.”
For almost every freshman, the first year nearly guarantees a spot as a redshirt or on special teams. Zion Paret is not one of those freshmen.
Zion Paret
Early on in camp, Paret (top photo, Rick Henderson) stood out to nearly everyone watching him. Head Coach Zach Kittley shared on day 6 of Fall Camp, “Telling you right now, Zion Paret, true freshman, like, dudes gonna play. He’s a football player. Really, really, like, where he’s at for a young cat.” Kittley is not the only one impressed with the freshman. Defensive coordinator Brett Dewhurst spoke on Paret, “Zion, that kid’s gonna play a lot of snaps for us. He’s got big potential.”
The pressure is not getting to the “young cat” as Paret shared on Monday, “If I’m going to be there, I’m going to be there. Not feeling the pressure too much, because I’ve been in those situations, played big games before, so it’s not too much pressure.” Paret continued on, “I’ve done this before, and I know the moment is never too big. At the end of the day, you just gotta keep the main thing, the main thing. Still a football game, still football. And you can’t think too much.”
If the freshman were to earn the starting role, he would join the likes of Cre’von LeBlanc and Tavious Polo as a true-freshman to start at the CB position.
The DB Room for @FAUFootball looks promising this season. From upper classmen to freshman everyone will play a part. #FAU @CoachYoyo_ breaks it down in today's coaches corner 🦉🎙️ pic.twitter.com/1OLnSm6EV6
— FAU Owls Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) August 11, 2025
Returning Owls
Wendol Philord – Graduate – 5’9, 180 Ibs
Chris Tooley – Junior – 6’0, 160 Ibs
Lawrence Johnson – Sophomore – 6’1, 180 Ibs
Cameron Goggins – Sophomore – 6’2, 185 Ibs
Out of the 16 defensive backs on the roster, only four of them are an Owls returner with some type of playing time under their belt. With the position group having many transfers come in and some exciting freshmen join FAU, these four players may seem to be an afterthought.
But last season, two of these Owls contributed in major ways.
Key Returners
Wendol Philord
A major piece from the 2024 Florida Atlantic defense returned for one more year under a new regime. Philord recorded 42 tackles, six TFLs, and had two forced fumbles.
Philord saw first hand how important everyone’s “role” was last season. From spending time as a starter, filling in rotation, or having to be a team leader, the grad student knows what is expected in nearly every “role”.
On Monday, Philord exemplified the different position roles he has been in by working with the safeties on drills during individual workouts.
While competition is fierce for the cornerback positions this Fall, expect Philord to make many appearances this season for Florida Atlantic.
Lawrence Johnson
Another holdover from last season, Johnson was a freshman with an expectation of learning. During the 2024 season, Johnson had the opportunity to grow as he saw time in all 12 games.
In those games, the now sophomore had 18 total tackles and a pass deflection. Although his numbers do not jump off the charts, his experience from last year should be roughly the same in 2025. While we may not expect to see Johnson a lot this season, it should be another year in the right direction for him.
The Transfers
The Transfers
Derrick Rogers – Redshirt Sophomore – 6’1, 175 Ibs
Antonio Robinson – Redshirt Sophomore – 5’10, 170 Ibs
MJ Hinson – Redshirt Junior – 6’0, 185 Ibs
Loren Hall – Sophomore – 5’10, 180 Ibs
Terez Reid – Redshirt Senior – 5’10, 187 Ibs
Damarius McGhee – Redshirt Senior – 6’0, 175 Ibs
The transfers that came to Florida Atlantic were all expected to make an impact at some point this season, but with how many came, it clearly has been a competition to figure out who will play.
On Monday, Coach Fenelus made it clear that it is not as cut throat as we would think competition to be. “What I love is, they’re not looking at it like it’s ‘me versus you.’ It’s like they all want to see each other doing well. So even if it’s one guy going with the other group, they are still cheering each other on and helping each other out there.”
With that type of camaraderie in the room among everyone, the secondary looks to be a tight knit group that as long as they can keep the high spirits up, should have a good year.
Key Transfers
Derrick Rogers
Rogers made an appearance with the media on Monday. He spoke highly of a tight knit group in the cornerback room, but also spoke on what he has wanted to improve in camp. The former Boilermaker said, I’m really hoping to improve on just getting bigger and faster physically. Working on my mental more, keep being a leader, improve on, really everything all around.
Rogers leadership has impacted freshman Zion Paret as the young Owl shared, “Derek Rogers, that’s my boy there. He always tells me how to be aggressive, how to play certain routes.”
Last season, Rogers did not see action, but spent time his freshman year appearing in 12 games. With the positional battle still not complete, Rogers is hoping to take one of those starting roles. Overall for Rogers, expect him to rotate in this season as he will most likely be a second string.
DAY 🔟 #FAU Fall Camp Players Interviews with Defensive Backs @KantGuard2 and @Zion_Paret Let's GO Fellas 🦉 🎙️🦉 pic.twitter.com/vAaCgrSb4q
— FAU Owls Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) August 11, 2025
MJ Hinson
The Texan came to South Florida during the Summer after a great year at Texas Southern. In eight games played last season, Hinson recorded four interceptions. That was tied for the SWAC lead in picks last year.
Although his name has not been mentioned much during camp, the experience is set to play a role in leading those around him. Hinson should be a part of a secondary rotation as he will most likely see similar time to what he saw last year.
Terez Reid
When the defensive backs have been asked about in camp the top name has been Paret, but almost every time, the second name mentioned is Terez Reid. The redshirt senior has spent time in many roles, but has found his place at Florida Atlantic.
During his time at previous institutions, Reid earned the GVSU Scout team player of the year award, the GVSU Rookie of the year, and Second-Team All-GLIAC.
Last season, Reid recorded 14 tackles and three interceptions. Reid originally went to UTSA during the Winter portal period before coming to FAU in the Summer. Reid is definitely a top contender to be a starter week one against Maryland.
Overall Thoughts
The cornerback room has a great mix of young and old talent. With how young the defense truly is, having a secondary that has been around the college game should help keep the defensive glue together overall. While last season was an injury plagued year for the Owls, if the corners can stay healthy, they can wreak havoc against opposing offenses.
Up Next
FAU will roll on into day 11 as Head Coach Zach Kittley will make his third appearance of Fall Camp. It will be the first time hearing from Kittley since the scrimmage last Saturday. Our focus on Tuesday will be the quarterback room.