Well Positioned

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BOCA RATON – Having lost his starting spot to precocious freshman Zyon Gilbert, Andrew Soroh is trying to navigate a new path to playing time.

Beginning last week Soroh began working at linebacker while also preparing for his normal free safety role.

“I like the challenge,” said Soroh, a redshirt-junior considered one of the defensive leaders heading into fall camp.

Preparing another potential linebacker grew in importance with the arm injury suffered by starter Azeez Al-Shaair Week 3 against Bethune-Cookman that kept him out of the following week’s game – an FAU loss at Buffalo.

The Owls wanted to see what Soroh could do at middle linebacker.

“I feel like I grasp it really well,” Soroh said. “I came during the week watching extra film, still watching film to this day, learning it like the back up of my hand – like I know the free safety spot.”



Al-Shaair returned to action in Saturday’s victory over MTSU and is considered a full-go for this week, FAU coach Lane Kiffin said, but Soroh still spends time working there.

Listed at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds Soroh is a little lighter than Al-Shaair, who is considered undersized at the position.

Soroh’s, speed, however becomes an asset against pass-happy Confernce USA spread offenses that the Owls will face the remainder of the way.

Plus, Soroh has some familiarity with the linebacker position. As a redshirt freshman he played the middle as part of the Owls’ dime package.

Gilbert, referred to by Kiffin as a player who has a future playing on Sunday’s, led the Owls with 15 tackles against Buffalo. His 33 tackles on the season trail only Al-Shaair and strong safety Jalen Young among Owls.



The defensive rotation employed by the Owls is ensuring Soroh doesn’t rust on the sidelines. Soroh’s 15 tackles keep him among the Top 11 Owls.

Soroh remains the back-up free safety and should continue to see snaps there. The mere fact that the Owls considered asking Soroh to learn a new position is a testament to the idea that the Owls want to find ways to utilize his skill set.

“That’s how I look at it,” Soroh said. “They always say they want to get their best on the field so that’s how I just look at it. Anywhere they need me, that’s where I’ll play.”