Florida Atlantic's pipeline to the NFL is alive and well in 2026, and no story from the week of Aug. 16–22 illustrates that better than Evan Anderson's swift return to San Francisco.
The 49ers waived the FAU-product defensive lineman in July — a gut-punch moment for any player on the roster bubble — but the separation didn't last long. San Francisco brought Anderson back, re-signing him ahead of final cuts and the start of the regular season. The turnaround signals that the 49ers' coaching staff sees something worth keeping in the former Owl, even after an initial roster crunch forced the move.
Anderson's bounce-back also coincided with roster shuffling up front for San Francisco. The team waived/injured tight end Titus Leo in the same move that preceded Anderson's return, and wide receiver Kaelon Black was reinstated to practice — all signs of the controlled chaos that defines NFL rosters during the preseason stretch run. Anderson found the right moment to make his case, and the 49ers answered.
For FAU fans, Anderson's perseverance is the kind of second-chance story that resonates well beyond box scores. Getting waived during the summer is often a career death sentence for fringe players; getting called back by the same team is a genuine vote of confidence. Anderson enters the 2026 season with a real shot at contributing on a San Francisco defensive line that has historically demanded versatility and motor from its depth pieces.
The Broader FAU Picture
Anderson isn't the only Owl worth watching as the 2026 season approaches. Trey Hendrickson, one of the most accomplished FAU alumni in the league, heads into his first year in Baltimore after signing with the Ravens — a new chapter for a pass rusher who has consistently been one of the NFL's elite DE threats. In Houston, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair continues to anchor the Texans' defense, while Devin Singletary carries the rushing load for the New York Giants heading into year two in the Big Apple.
The FAU alumni corps also spans both coasts and multiple positions: Harrison Bryant (Seahawks, TE), James Pierre (Vikings, CB), Greg Joseph (Jets, K), Je'Quan Burton (Dolphins, WR), and Brandon Walton (Falcons, T) all bring Boca Raton roots into NFL locker rooms this season.
Anderson's story, though, is the headline entering the week — a reminder that in the NFL, surviving the cut is sometimes just the first audition.
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