BOCA RATON – The FAU quarterback battle grows more curious with each practice.
On soggy Thursday in which coach Lane Kiffin said for the first time that he would consider a two-quarterback system, third string quarterback Daniel Parr saw his first significant action with the second team during a practice in which both De’Andre Johnson and Jason Driskel also fully participated.
Dating back to spring camp Kiffin has said he intends to pick one quarterback and go with that guy. Thursday he admitted that a two-quarterback system could be beneficial.
“Ideally that’s not what we want, but if that’s the best thing for us to win, we’ll entertain anything,” Kiffin said. “We’ll look at every avenue. If we think at that point that helps us win then we’ll do it.”
Driskel and Parr have excelled throwing the ball at times far in camp, but De’Andre Johnson has the ability to turn bad plays into explosive ones with his feet.
“If you do have two guys who have different parts of their game it is very difficult for the defense to prepare for,” Kiffin said.
Driskel is the incumbent, having completed 61.2 percent of his passes while throwing for nine touchdowns last season. Johnson, a former Florida St. Seminole, transferred to FAU from East Mississippi CC in the spring. Parr started one game last season, but missed all of spring as he recovered from foot surgery.
Throughout camp Parr worked with the first or second units for a full practice only when Johnson or Driskel were unable to practice because of academic engagements or ailments.
When both Johnson and Driskel practiced, Parr would head to a separate field to work with the third or fourth string during most offense vs. defense drills.
On Thursday all three quarterbacks were on the same field, and while Kiffin had previously said that Parr was “in the mix” for the starting spot, this offered the first concrete example that Parr was truly in contention. Johnson and Driskel have been alternating days leading the first team and it was Johnson’s turn to run with the ones. He led the offense to a touchdown during the two-minute drill. Driskel and Parr took turns with the second team.
Parr completed the best pass of the day, a long strike to true freshman Denzel Houston on the first play of his two minute drill, but Parr ultimately couldn’t lead the offense to points.
“He’s earned it – made some great plays and made some more big throws today, the first play of the two-minute.” Kiffin said of Parr’s work with the second team.
Adding Parr to the quarterback battle makes it less likely that the decision as to who will start the Sept. 1 opener against Navy will be made quickly.
“That doesn’t bring you closer, definitely, because now you’ve got more reps divided and more factors that go into it,” Kiffin said.
Driskel practiced on consecutive days for the first time in a week. He stated that “little aches and pains that come along with camp” kept him out of Saturday’s scrimmage and Tuesday’s practice but would not specify the exact issue.
“They’re a little tender with me, I guess,” Driskel said.
He does not believe missing three days hurt him in the battle to be the starting quarterback.
“Ninety-nine percent of playing quarterback is mental and you can get mental reps watching, you can get mental reps in the film room,” Driskel said. “We’re here all day. We’ve got to figure out a way to get mentally better and I’m still able to do that.”
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