Kiffin yet to name QB for Oklahoma opener
BOCA RATON — At this point, Florida Atlantic coach Lane Kiffin is considering the simplest of ways to decide on a starting quarterback.
He recently jokingly referred to using a coin flip to pick between junior De’Andre Johnson, freshman Chris Robison and graduate student Rafe Peavey. No decision has been made despite the season opener at Oklahoma being just days away.
“Maybe we’ll do that,” Kiffin said of considering a coin toss.
It appears Kiffin will wait until the last possible minute to choose. He did the same last season before picking Daniel Parr over Johnson and Jason Driskel. Parr lasted three games before being replaced by Driskel for the remainder of the season.
“Nobody has just totally outplayed the other guys,” Kiffin said. “They’re all still making the same mistakes but at the same time no one has really canceled themselves out to make it an easy choice … it’s a good thing that we feel confident in all three of them.”
Kiffin also could be taking his time to keep Oklahoma guessing. Last week he said there was even a chance he could play multiple quarterbacks but backed down on those claims Wednesday. For three seasons under former coach Charlie Partridge, the Owls played two quarterbacks.
“That’s probably something to think about in the next two days,” Kiffin said. “Just trying to figure it out … I don’t really like [using two quarterbacks]. You usually like to have one guy.”
Teammates have been complimentary of the competitors. They have all received equal reps during the preseason.
“It doesn’t matter,” running back Devin “Motor” Singletary said. “Whoever we go with just has to be ready to roll. We’ve got their back. They got our back. That’s how it is.”
Johnson was considered the favorite once last season ended when Driskel decided to retire from football and focus on his medical career. Johnson was given opportunity a year ago before his season ended because of blood clots in his arm.
He was initially in competition with only Robison, who sat last year due to NCAA transfer rules. Neither was able to create any separation during the spring or preseason.
Neither has started a game at the Football Bowl Subdivision (Division I-A) level, but Johnson is the more experienced because he played one season at East Mississippi Community College.
Still, Kiffin said he isn’t coddling Robison because of his youth.
“I don’t think like that,” Kiffin said. “I’m not saying that’s not the right way. We play who we believe the best players are at that time, in that game, to win that game.”
Peavey is the wild card in the competition. He was a late addition to the roster after transferring from SMU in early August. A former four-star recruit, he initially signed with Arkansas out of high school.
Despite arriving just more than three weeks ago, he has impressed enough to remain in the race. His presence has made the competition even more intriguing.
“I think it says a lot [about Peavey],” Kiffin said. “That’s very difficult. He has exceeded our expectations. Coming in, you would have thought that you would probably bet that he wouldn’t still be in this race. He’s done a really good job.”