BOCA RATON, FL – Day three of FAU training camp is in the books! Today, Special Teams Coach Tyler Schovanec and Long Snapper Jackson Lee spoke with the media. Schovanec and Lee, both in their first season at FAU, each gave excellent insight into the special teams unit.
We asked Former Texas Tech Assistant Special Teams Coordinator and current FAU Special Teams Coordinator, Tyler Schovanec, about what he’s trying to do to get the Owls’ special teams unit to where his former team’s unit was last season. Under his coaching, the Red Raiders finished 2024 ranked top 10 nationally in individual field goal percentage and kickoff return defense, as well as top 30 in blocked kicks and overall special teams efficiency.
Coach Schovanec emphasized the importance of having veterans who have done it at a high level, which FAU has. He stated, “When you look at snapper, kicker, punter, we’ve got guys that have done it at a high level. And then when you look at our returners, those guys have done it too, so that’s a big part of it.”
Also mentioned in Schovanec’s press conference was P Logan Lupo, a redshirt senior who was recently named to the Ray Guy Award Watch List (best punter in the nation). Lupo was praised for his strict diet, with Coach Schovanec additionally mentioning that most of his special teams players, who may not necessarily be viewed as the strongest guys on the squad, are lifting a ton of weight.
Lupo made history in 2023 by becoming the first-ever American Conference Player of the Week in program history, doing so by making a pair of field goals and two extra points, while also averaging 51.8 yards on four punts in FAU’s 20-17 win over Tulsa.
In terms of veterans, Schovanec mentioned Jayshon Platt (redshirt junior), Xavier Terrell (redshirt sophomore), and Gemari Sands (redshirt sophomore) as players who have looked good in camp and are likely to get kickoff and punt return reps. He added, “We’ve got a lot of guys that we can use, so I feel that the competition at that position is going to help us push and see who can be that guy.”
FAU’s special teams group is off to a solid start, with veteran players leading the way and Coach Schovanec bringing a lot of energy and direction. There’s a lot of competition going on, especially in the return game, and guys like Logan Lupo are setting the bar high. If they keep building on this momentum, special teams could be one of the biggest strengths for the Owls this season.
FAU’s special teams group is off to a solid start, with veteran players leading the way and Coach Schovanec bringing a lot of energy and direction. There’s a lot of competition going on, especially in the return game, and guys like Logan Lupo are setting the bar high. If they keep building on this momentum, special teams could be one of the biggest strengths for the Owls this season.
FAU’s special teams group is off to a solid start, with veteran players leading the way and Coach Schovanec bringing a lot of energy and direction. There’s a lot of competition going on, especially in the return game, and guys like Logan Lupo are setting the bar high. If they keep building on this momentum, special teams could be one of the biggest strengths for the Owls this season.