FAU tight end Harrison Bryant (40) had 45 catches for 662 yards and four touchdowns last season [SHOLTEN SINGER/AP] ▲ FAU tight end Harrison Bryant (center) has emerged as one of the nation's top tight ends. [ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ/Special to The Post] ▲ FAU tight end John Raine, shown carrying the ball, caught his first career touchdown last season. [ALEXANDR RODRIGUEZ/Special to The Post] ▲

BOCA RATON — In a Florida Atlantic offense full of questions, Harrison Bryant has established himself as the answer — or, in running backs coach Kevin Smith's words, "The Franchise."

A two-time All-Conference USA selection, Bryant returns for his senior season as FAU's most proven offensive playmaker. Bryant has solidified himself as one of the country's top tight ends with 77 catches and nine touchdowns the past two seasons.

Bryant and John Raine, another senior tight end, were among FAU's best players in spring camp. Bryant earned spring offensive MVP after routinely dominating the Owls' defense across the 15-practice schedule. Raine claimed tight end MVP by thriving in every role from lining up tight to paving holes for his running backs with fierce open-field blocks.

After losing running backs Devin Singletary and Kerrith Whyte and leading receiver Jovon Durante to the NFL Draft, it's hard to fault FAU coach Lane Kiffin for celebrating one last ride with the senior duo.

"Harrison Bryant's gonna be a top NFL pick and John Raine's done a great job for us," Kiffin said at the "Winning in Paradise" tour this summer. "To have both those guys back, it's really probably the strength of our team."

Projected depth chart:

Harrison Bryant — Sr. (6-foot-5, 240 pounds): Bryant will most likely be preparing for his first NFL training camp at this time next year. He chose to return for his senior season and earn his degree rather than declare early for the NFL. He finished 10th in receptions (45) and eighth in receiving yards (662) among FBS tight ends last year and was FAU's only player named to C-USA's preseason team.

John Raine — Sr. (6-2, 235): Raine's place as the No. 2 tight end only means so much in a two-tight end offense. Raine also has the versatility to line up in the backfield or out wide. He is primed for a tremendous senior season after recording a career-high 10 catches for 99 yards and his first career touchdown last year.

Logan Peterson — R-So. (6-3, 230): Peterson made plays early in spring camp before he was hospitalized with a staph infection. The third-year tight end doesn't have a college catch yet but has shown a knack for big plays in practice the past two years.

OR

Rahmod Smith — Fr. (6-5, 202): The younger brother of Owls senior linebacker Rashad Smith, Rahmod could be FAU's tight end of the future. A strong fall camp might push Smith past Peterson on the depth chart and into a spot on the second-team offense.

The big question: Can opposing defenses stop Bryant and Raine? Bryant has turned himself into a weapon with an NFL future while Raine has improved as a receiver in his first three seasons and is a proven blocker, too. There are plenty of ways the two can beat teams and Kiffin has shown he's ready to build his offense around the duo.

Name to know: Raine. The lack of experienced wide receiver depth means FAU will lean heavily on two-tight end sets, giving Raine a chance to post career numbers. He showed glimpses of his potential late last season, recording five catches for 78 yards and his only touchdown in FAU's final three games.

The pressure is on: The entire unit, especially with the Owls' well-documented receiver issues. Last year's season-ending losses to North Texas and Charlotte showed how dominant Bryant and Raine (15 catches for 289 yards between them) are when given the opportunity. If the tight ends can't make an impact in the passing game, the Owls' offense won't be scaring anyone.

FAU position previews:

[Quarterbacks]

[Running backs]

[Wide receivers]

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