Chris Football?

BOCA RATON – FAU coach Lane Kiffin enjoyed his first up close and personal look at his newest quarterback.

Oklahoma transfer Chris Robison reminded Kiffin of a player college football fans will remember well.

“I thought he had a little bit of Johnny-ish to him as far as moving around – Manziel – just kind of make a lot of plays, great energy on his film,” Kiffin said. “You watch him sprinting down the field to celebrate touchdowns with his team. I thought he just had a knack for making a lot of plays. Really smooth. Not the biggest guy. Not the strongest guy. But there’s guys like this winning a lot of college football games out there.”

Also like Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman trophy winner who is currently without an NFL job, Robison has seen his share of off the field trouble too.

On of the top QB recruits in the 2017 class, Robison enrolled at Oklahoma in January and was suspended by the Sooners following their spring game after a reported arrest alleging public intoxication. Oklahoma ultimately dismissed Robison from the team earlier this month, reportedly for a second violation.



Kiffin said he didn’t have a prior recruiting relationship with Robison, but offensive coordinator Kendal Briles did.

“Kendal had had him in camp, was familiar with the family, familiar with the kid,” Kiffin said.

Robison will have to sit out this season in compliance with NCAA transfer rules but will still have four years of eligibility remaining.

He joined Tuesday’s practice already in progress after spending the morning signing required paperwork.

“He looked good,” Kiffin said. “Fast. Moved around some. He looked good for first day.”

FAU signed quarterback De’Andre Johnson in December and announced him as a member of its 2017 signing class.



Johnson is currently battling with Jason Driskel and Daniel Parr for starting quarterback spot. Kiffin said Johnson is still bothered by an undisclosed nagging injury and didn’t see much action during Tuesday’s practice.

“Every day it seems like he kind of goes in and out,” Kiffin said. “Some days he goes, some days he just goes a little bit.”

Robison’s biggest contribution in 2017 will likely come as the quarterback of the scout team.

“Most of the time he will be our quarterback down there getting our defense ready to play and giving our defense a lot of problems,” Kiffin said.