Owls’ Robison shows new signs of maturity
BOCA RATON — Like many people, Florida Atlantic coach Lane Kiffin is a fan of the Netflix television series “Last Chance U.”
The show features troubled football players who are given second chances at East Mississippi Community College. What Kiffin noticed first about many of them was arrogance because they felt they were playing down a level of competition. Those were also some of the early tendencies from current Owls quarterback Chris Robison, who has since shaken that mentality as he attempts to win the starting job.
“You see so many that maybe transfer ‘down,’ ” Kiffin said. “… Sometimes there is an arrogance factor. In watching that show, I’ve noticed that a lot. You kind of keep that in mind. I think [Robison] had some of that, like some of these kids do coming from a place with bigger facilities and better things supposedly and [think] ‘I’m better.”’
Robison transferred to FAU last summer after being kicked off the Oklahoma team for a second violation of team rules. A freshman, he is a former four-star recruit trying to resurrect his career in Boca Raton.
Kiffin said Robison has made great strides since his arrival. Last season, Robison drew raves for his work with the scout team only to disappoint the first day of spring practices when he was suspended for violating an unspecified team rule.
He was reinstated a day later and has continued to show signs of improved maturity.
“There’s a humbling process, and I think he’s gone through that,” Kiffin said. “Part of that was good, even when there’s the smallest issue. We suspended him for something I don’t think programs usually suspend for. We’ve seen a lot of maturity in him, and hopefully that’s part of our process here of coaching these kids and bringing people in.”
Kiffin arranged a meeting between Robison and former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf earlier this week. Leaf, whose off-thefield issues helped ruin a once-promising career, is now a motivational speaker. Before addressing the Owls, Leaf met Robison privately to discuss staying focused.
Not much has been heard from Robison because Kiffin doesn’t allow freshmen to speak with reporters. He will do most of his talking on the field if he beats out junior De’Andre Johnson and newcomer Rafe Peavey for the position. Peavey joined the team last week after coming over as a graduate transfer from SMU.
While Johnson was the starter for last Saturday’s scrimmage at FAU Stadium, Robison and Peavey received an equal number of reps with the first and second units.
The most intriguing aspects of Robison possibly winning the job: His first collegiate start would be against his former team. The Owls open the season Sept. 1 at Oklahoma.
Kiffin has done everything possible to downplay the matchup with the Sooners, especially Robison.
“We don’t even talk about Oklahoma,” Kiffin said. “I don’t know even if I’ve said Oklahoma once to this team maybe outside of the first day. That’s it. That’s not the focus. It’s not about that. It’s about the day and this season as a whole. That has been part of the challenge with [Robison].”