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BOCA RATON – It only took one practice – one play, really – to see why Lane Kiffin and the Owls are so eager to get freshman quarterback Javion Posey on the field this season in some role.
Posey, a quarterback-turned-wide receiver, out-leaped LaDante Harris, a wide receiver-turned-cornerback, in the back of the end zone to cradle a Nick Tronti touchdown pass.
“He’s ridiculously athletic,” Tronti said. “It’s unreal. I’m so happy he’s going to be out there.”
Shortly after Posey led three third-team touchdown drives against third-team defenders in Saturday’s scrimmage, Lane Kiffin announced they were going to give the athletic true freshman a shot at wide receiver. While Kiffin still views Posey as the Owls’ quarterback of the future, he wants to take advantage of Posey’s athleticism immediately.
Posey caught a few other passes during practice, making the routine look routine – which is actually impressive considering Monday was his first practice at wide receiver.
Kiffin wouldn’t place a timeline on how quickly Posey could be game-ready at the position, but he’s hoping to have Posey for some plays in the Aug. 31 season-opener at Ohio St.
“It’s not just run and catch,” Kiffin said of learning the wide receiver position. “You’ve got to release, you’ve got to learn splits, you’ve got to understand the timing of things. That’s not a transition that takes one day. It’s going to take a little bit of time.”
Posey’s addition could provide a boost to a wide receiver unit that remains somewhat in disarray. No. 1 receiver John Mitchell didn’t participate in drills on Monday after suffering an apparent shoulder injury during Saturday’s scrimmage.
Pico Harrison, the Owls other starter at wideout, is still wearing the black, non-contact jersey during practices.
Second-string safety Teja Young couldn’t practice on Monday because of his own shoulder injury. And punter Sebastian Riella is expected to miss significant time because of a knee injury incurred while blocking for a fake field goal Saturday.
Australian redshirt freshman Matthew Hayball, is the replacement for Riella, the incumbent at the position.
“He still needs some work, just like any new player,” Kiffin said of Hayball.
Justin Agner, part of the Owls three-way quarterback battle, missed Saturday’s scrimmage because of an illness and was a spectator at Monday’s practice. Kiffin said neither Tronti or Chris Robison did enough on Saturday to claim the starting quarterback spot.
“Both guys made some plays, too, at times,” Kiffin said. “Chris lucked out because one of his series was the ones vs. the twos, so obviously that made it easier to move the ball.”
Robison found an uncovered Harrison Bryant on that series against the second teamers. The tight end stepped around Armani Adams and strolled into the end zone for a score.
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