Florida Atlantic entered their final week without meaningful football on Tuesday after having a rest day on Monday.
With FAU’s campus buzzing with a new academic year, the practice fields of the Schmidt were alive with vocal coaching as the Owls entered into their first day of prep before facing the Maryland Terrapins.
The day was spent with our focus on the Defensive Tackles room as we spoke with HC Zach Kittley, DT Coach Devin Santana, DT Enyce Sledge, and DT CJ Doggette Jr.
Maryland Game Prep
This season is the first in which Coach Kittley will be heading into a game week with the title of head coach. He spoke on those jitters for a game prep on Tuesday, sharing, “I like to think I’m doing pretty good at it. I think we’ll find out on August 30 a little bit more, how nerved up I get before the game. But right now, it’s been smooth. I don’t procrastinate. I like to get in. I like to go. I work and I get it done, and then that gives me time to be efficient in other areas. I’ve got a great staff with me that I can delegate certain things to to really help me get through my day.”
CJ Doggette shared that his expectation for the DL this season is to “expect havoc.” Coach Kittley agreed with the statement sharing, “[The defensive line has] done a really, really good job all camp. I’m excited to see them do that against somebody else. I told them this morning, you know, I’m excited because we can now officially hit the quarterback, and there’s nothing like that. So I’m hoping that it gets those guys juiced up a little bit, that we could hit somebody wearing different colors and an opponent, and, more than anything, get after somebody’s quarterback. So I feel confident in that.”
The Defensive Tackles
The room is led by coach Devin Santana. Every season since 2019, Santana has coached for a different team at the college level. Most of his coaching career has been spent on working with the defensive line, including a stop last year with Miami in which he worked with the defensive tackles.
Now at FAU, Santana was highlighted as one of the top 30 coaches under 30 years old in college football. The Florida native spoke on that accomplishment sharing, “Definitely honored. I thought it was funny. I had no idea about it. Coach Kittley posted it in our group message. I’m sitting in our offices. You guys know about how our offices are all glass. And they’re all like, ‘yeah, good job’. And I got my phone down so I had no idea. I’m like, oh yeah. And then I looked up. I was like, Oh, that was pretty cool. But I think at the end of the day, like, I tell everybody, it’s really, it’s not about me, it’s about the kids that you coach, and it’s about this team.”
A very humble statement from Santana was a part of his presser from Tuesday.
Another group that should see an uptick this season for @FAUFootball is the defensive tackle room. Fresh off a 30-Under-30 nomination #FAU @CoachSantana_ leads the way in today's positional interviews alongside @dawggette and @The_RealAPE 🦉🦉🦉 pic.twitter.com/RAb9xjLcZ5
— FAU Owls Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) August 19, 2025
The Captain Duo
Bryce Langston – Redshirt Senior, 6’3, 300 lbs
There was a lot of chatter around the Florida native throughout the offseason as Langston has proven himself as a team leader. In that role, Langston was one of two Owls selected to go to Charlotte for the American Kickoff, was voted a team captain earlier this week, and was selected to Bruce Feldman’s ‘Freaks List’ at 35th overall.
Last season saw Langston appear in every game with the DT recording a total of 8 tackles on the season. That is expected to change this year as he is expected to be one of the starting tackles heading into week one, and his size and speed highlighted why today during individual drills. Coach Kittley shared earlier in Fall camp that Langston has “NFL traits”.
The captain will definitely be one in which opposing teams will have to focus on.
CJ Doggette – Redshirt Junior, 6’2, 277 lbs
Joining Florida Atlantic in January, Doggette (main picture, Rick Henderson) has had the opportunity to showcase his talent throughout the Spring, Summer, and now Fall. The opportunity has played out well for Doggette as he transferred in from Ohio last season. With the Bobcats, Doggette played a major role recording 32 tackles and earning three sacks.
Now with the Owls, the Ohioan shared his thoughts on the Brent Dewhurst led defensive scheme, “I feel like I can play more aggressive because we have a certain defense where you can’t really be wrong in our base down front. So it really helps me play as fast as possible. And that’s really what I set my game on, is being able to play fast and explosive. And I think that’s my favorite part about this defense.” For someone who is undersized compared to those in the DT room with him, the explosiveness and jump off the ball is exactly what the interior of the line could use.
After a blossoming year and solid offseason, the Phil Steele All-AAC Second Team member is expected to line-up next to Langston on the defensive front as the two should be a tandem “wreaking havoc” to opposing offenses.
The Two Deep
Enyce Sledge – Redshirt Junior – 6’3, 320 lbs
With Power Four experience, Sledge joined the Owls after spending his first two seasons at Auburn and his 2024 year at Illinois. But, the redshirt junior has a familiarity with a few of the Owls coaching staff members as he shared that coach Santana helped move him into his dorm during Sledge’s freshman year at Auburn.
Sledge has four games of experience at the college level under his belt as he made four appearances while at Illinois last season. After transferring to FAU, it was obvious there would be a positional battle for the top two guys on the interior of the d-line, but it never became hostile. Langston shared earlier in camp that “We all work hard. We push each other, and they push me as well. It’s just not me pushing them. We all push each other to accomplish a big goal for the season that we have.”
Size plays a role in what Sledge’s appearances may look like. Short yardage downs where the run most likely will be coming seem to fit Sledge well.
Naejaun Barber – Redshirt Senior, 6’3, 310 lbs
Barber joined the Owls after appearing in ten games with Coastal Carolina last season, with the Chanticleers the redshirt senior’s role was mostly rotational work as he earned 22 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and one fumble recovery.
Barber is a hard hitting tackle as alongside Sledge, should be used in short yardage situations when the starting duo needs a rest.
For the two deep overall, we will definitely see them make appearances in games, but keep in mind; if the Kittley offense works the way it is intended, defenses could be on the field a lot. Barber and Sledge as backups is great as they could possibly start at other American Conference institutions.
The Remaining Owls
Earl Miller Jr – Redshirt Senior, 6’4, 310 lbs
Playing in ten games for Bethune-Cookman last season, Miller earned 28 tackles in a rotational role for the Wildcats. Transferring into Florida Atlantic, Miller looks to be in line once again as a rotational depth piece for the Owls.
Kiemar Richardson – Graduate, 6’5, 280 lbs
Appearing in 11 games last season, Richardson had 11 tackles and 1.5 TFLs. This season looks to be the same role for the Graduate as he will most likely come in when needed and fill in the depth chart when called upon.
Adrian Hill – Redshirt Freshman, 6’0, 290 lbs
Hill joins FAU after a redshirt season with Georgia State. Originally from Tampa, the Florida native was highlighted on Tuesday by Doggette as one of the defensive linemen that have improved during the offseason.
Hill will most likely not see playing time this season, but with time could be an Owl that is called upon down the road.
Gabriel Birnbaum – Sophomore, 6’3, 290 lbs
Overall Group Thoughts
Coach Kittley said it best when he shared that the DL is one of the deepest units on the team. With four men that could start at this level it will be exciting to see how well the interior does, and how well the depth will do when needed.
Up Next
The Owls prep continues Wednesday, giving us the opportunity to highlight the defensive ends and tight ends. Our positional preview will focus on the FAU defensive ends and coach Brandon Lacy.