On Monday, the University of Miami is set to play the University of Indiana at Hard Rock Stadium in the 2026 College Football National Championship.
Usually, this game wouldn’t have rooting interest for Owls fans, but for the first time, former FAU players will play in the national championship game.
While no FAU football alumni have ever won a national championship, former FAU head coach Howard Schnellenberger led Miami – funny enough – to a national championship in 1983 before joining the Owls in 1998.
Carter Davis, Place-kicker
Carter Davis, a Fort Lauderdale native and former starting kicker for the Owls from 2022-2024, had faced trials and tribulations in his career, all of which led him to the University of Miami after three years playing for FAU.
Davis was never the starting kicker for the Owls; he was the kickoff specialist. He didn’t kick many field goals until his junior season, when he went 28.6%, struggling immensely, as the average college kicker’s field goal percentage is around 75%. After an up-and-down three years, Davis decided to enter the transfer portal.
“ I battled for the field goal job, but not everything goes your way. I wanted to keep playing, so I went back to FAU, did a little bit of field goals, long field goals. After that season, that coaching staff was released, so I didn’t want to stay at FAU with a whole new coaching staff. I saw what was out there in the portal and wound up here.” Davis explained his thought process in joining the University of Miami in an interview with on3 sports.
Davis finally found glory, winning the starting spot at the University of Miami and becoming a starting kicker for the first time in his college football career. Quickly, he shined.
Davis hit a 47-yard field goal in Week One to lift the Miami Hurricanes over the University of Notre Dame on August 31, 2025. This win is the reason Miami made the College Football Playoff.
“I mean, I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy journey … but when I found out that I got it, I cried. I’ll be honest. But I was just so ecstatic about that. It meant the world,” said Davis postgame, on earning the starting job.
“In practice, he hits them at 55-plus; actually had two 63-yarders. We have a lot of confidence in him,” said the University of Miami coach Mario Cristobal in the postgame press conference, emphasizing their faith in Davis throughout the season.
Davis has kicked 74% this season and has not missed an extra point the entire playoffs; his leg will be put to the test once again on Monday.
Tony Johnson, Wide receiver
Tony Johnson, an Ocala native, has traveled a different path. Johnson was initially a walk-on at FAU, earning an academic scholarship rather than a football scholarship.
“My coach at Vanguard hooked me up with somebody at FAU. And I knew I just needed an opportunity. I know I’m a D1 player, so academics ended up paving the way for me, and then I turned into a scholarship player.” Johnson said, speaking on how he became an Owl.
“I started with number 47 at FAU. They threw me a jersey, and I was like, man, I’ve got to make the most of this. That’s something I carry with me to this day. Just keep working, you never know when that light’s going to come through,” Johnson further explained how his work ethic helped him become a starter.
Johnson played three years for the Owls; he was a starter for two and caught 60 passes for 669 yards and seven touchdowns.
Johnson then transferred to Cincinnati for the 2024 season, where he had a breakout year, totaling 48 catches, 449 yards, and six touchdowns. Miami scouted an extra pass-catcher, and Johnson transferred to the Hurricanes for his final college season.
Johnson has totaled seven catches and 162 receiving yards this season, as he will once again suit up in his final college game with a chance to become a national champion.
Davis and Johnson, teammates on the Owls in 2022 and 2023, head into the biggest game of their careers with a testament to their resilience and hard work, with a chance to make FAU football history.
The 2026 National Championship will take place Monday, Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m. It will stream on ABC and ESPN.
Mikai Datilus is the Sports Editor for the University Press. Email him at [email protected] or DM him on Instagram @mikaidat for more information on this and other stories.
