New offense offers freedom, options for FAU receivers

BOCA RATON — Hours before Florida Atlantic held its 10th spring practice of the year Tuesday morning, receiver Bobby Mitchell and quarterback De’Andre Johnson were engaged in a late-night film session.

The pair is still learning each other’s tendencies, so they flipped on footage from Saturday’s scrimmage and film from Baylor, where offensive coordinator Kendal Briles came from. They noted how a cornerback set up against Mitchell, and what release he managed. They discussed what coverage they saw, and what route followed.

“So he knows what I think when I line up presnap, and I learn what he’s going to do,” Mitchell said.

Chemistry between receivers and quarterbacks will be paramount this year for FAU, with more option routes included in Briles’ playbook. FAU coach Lane Kiffin said receivers have three or four options on one route, more freedom “than anything I’ve been around.” Instead of simply having option routes in the slot, the Owls will have them on the outside, too.

That opens the door to miscommunication. Misguided reads could lead to incompletions and interceptions. But the routes also allow athleticism to shine and creativity to flourish.

“It’s kind of like playing in the park,” Kiffin said. “You play in the park when you are little, you really don’t have rules of routes and depths and stuff. That’s sort of what the system is like. It’s kind of like ‘Get open.’”

Developing rapport with quarterbacks can be difficult this time of year, with FAU deciding between Johnson and incumbent Jason Driskel. Driskel, a redshirt junior, is entering his fourth season in the program and is already familiar with many of the receivers. Johnson just enrolled in January.

To compensate for lost time, Mitchell watches film with Johnson. Receiver Kalib Woods works out with him during breaks back in Jacksonville, where both are from. This spring, both receivers have been starting on the outside, with Woods on the right and Mitchell on the left.

FAU has ditched traditional receiver positions like X, Y and Z in favor of a simpler approach. Receivers play on the left or right, in the left slot or the right slot. The distinctions assist the offense when it goes fast. Players won’t have to cross the field to get lined up. It’s been easier to absorb the new playbook with the new terminology, Woods said.

Kiffin said it’s a concept he used as Alabama’s offensive coordinator in the past two seasons, allowing the Crimson Tide to push their tempo.

“When you play fast without thinking, you have a lot of freedom just to be a football player,” Woods said.

Woods is coming off his best season as an Owl, leading the team with 68 catches for 934 yards last year. He figures to be a key producer in FAU’s offense. Mitchell, though, has been a bit of a surprise.

Mitchell does not have a collegiate reception and has only appeared in three games. But his blazing speed has allowed him to crack the first-team offense alongside Woods and slot receivers Kamrin Solomon and Henry Bussey.

Woods called Mitchell the fastest player on the team.