FAU's Vladi Rivas will have to beat out other players for the starting kicking job after an inconsistent 2018. [ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ/Special to The Post] ▲ Former Dwyer wide receiver Dante Cousart was FAU's starting punt returner last year before he suffered an injury. [ALLEN EYESTONE/palmbeachpost.com] ▲ Sebastian Riella was FAU's starting punter as a true freshman last year. [ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ/Special to The Post] ▲

BOCA RATON — Considering everything that went wrong last season, it was a positive sign to see Florida Atlantic kicker Vladi Rivas crack a smile this spring.

A groin injury and self-esteem issues kept Rivas, then a redshirt freshman, down late in the 2018 season. Rivas missed six field goals in the Owls' final six games, including two chip shots in three-point losses to North Texas and Charlotte. Fans attacked Rivas on social media as FAU dropped their last two games to finish 5-7 and out of bowl contention.

FAU head coach Lane Kiffin openly called his special teams unit, which needed to replace Cleveland Browns kicker Greg Joseph and longtime punter Ryan Rickel, a "disaster." True freshman Sebastian Riella had two punts blocked in the season's first two weeks. Two costly penalties on punt returns — a uniform violation and a leaping the shield call — doomed FAU late in a one-score loss to Louisiana Tech.

FAU's best special teams player from last year, kick returner Kerrith Whyte, is now with the Chicago Bears. Rivas will need to beat out at least one new kicker if he wants to start against Ohio State ... and yet, there he was grinning after a scrimmage.

Why?

"Special teams is definitely improving," Rivas said. "Punting was our issue and field goals were our issue too, but we're getting there."

Projected depth chart:

Kicker:

Vladi Rivas — R-So. (5-foot-10, 165 pounds): Rivas was 10-of-17 on field goals last year and made 39 of his 41 extra point tries. He'll also have the first crack at handling kickoffs.

OR

Logan McLeod — Fr. (5-foot-10, 155 pounds): McLeod made 14-of-19 field goals at Fort Myers' Bishop Verot High last year. He chose FAU over Navy because the Owls "saw a future" in him. McLeod said he feels comfortable hitting field goals as far as 55 yards.

OR

Aaron Shahriari — R-Fr. (6-foot-2, 200 pounds): Shahriari transferred to FAU from FCS Furman University in June and is expected to be eligible to play this season. He made 19-of-21 field goals and 52-of-54 extra kicks at Calvary Christian High School in Clearwater. Shahriari redshirted for the Paladins last year.



Punter:

Sebastian Riella — So. (5-foot-8, 200 pounds): Riella averaged 38.1 yards per punt and only dropped seven of his 38 punts inside the 20-yard line as a true freshman. Riella's numbers improved throughout the season after a rough start. Riella is also expected to serve as the Owls' holder on extra points and field goals.

"Just the transition (last year) was very rough for me," Riella said this spring. "I feel like I matured a lot throughout the season."

Chris Robison — R-So. (6-foot-1, 200 pounds): Yes, FAU's potential starting quarterback also served as the Owls' alternate punter last year. Robison averaged 54.7 yards on six punts when he wasn't throwing passes. FAU will likely add another walk-on punter before fall camp starts Friday.

Long snapper:

Jonathan Sullivan — Jr. (6-foot-1, 210 pounds): Sullivan joined the Owls in January as a walk-on transfer from Valencia Community College (Calif.). Sullivan began his career at the University of Oklahoma.

Kick returner:

BJ Emmons - Jr. (6-foot, 220 pounds): Emmons returned kickoffs at the end of spring camp. He had a 26-yard return for Alabama in 2016 but did not field kickoffs or punts at Hutchinson C.C. (Kan.) in 2017.



Malcolm Davidson — So. (5-foot-10, 205 pounds): Davidson's two kickoff returns last year went for 24 and 32 yards against Old Dominion.

Punt returner:

Dante Cousart — (5-foot-10, 170 pounds): Cousart took over FAU's starting punt returner role early last year before breaking his leg in October. The Dwyer High grad usually called for a fair catch and had seven yards on four punt returns. FAU may work other returners into the rotation but the job is Cousart's to lose.

The big question: Who will be kicking field goals? It's unfair to fully pin FAU's season-ending losses to North Texas and Charlotte on Rivas' missed field goals in both games, but FAU needs a reliable placekicker, whether it's Rivas or one of the newcomers.

Names to know: McLeod and Shahriari, if he's eligible. Look for Kiffin to put more of an emphasis on field goals in scrimmages, especially when the Owls are practicing at FAU Stadium rather than the Oxley Center fields. The standout there will only help their cause to start against the Buckeyes.

The pressure is on: Rivas. He said in spring camp he was fully healthy and earned Kiffin's praise for appearing more consistent. Rivas needs to take a step forward in his second year if he wants to serve as FAU's long-term kicker.

FAU position previews:

[Quarterbacks]

[Running backs]

[Wide receivers]

[Tight ends]

[Offensive line]

[Defensive line]

[Linebackers]

[Defensive backs]