QB BATTLE, SINGLETARY TOP STORYLINES
BOCA RATON — Florida Atlantic concluded its second spring camp under Lane Kiffin with more than just pride on the line: quarterback Chris Robison and the red team will be treated to a steak lunch, while De’Andre Johnson and the white team are set to eat hot dogs and beans after a 20-14 red victory.
Fighting for the chance at steak — the food Kiffin said is “what winners eat” — was a fitting end to a spring camp which saw plenty of competition at key positions and players who once might have enjoyed the taste of victory having to settle for sec- ond place.
What did we learn from the Owls’ 2018 spring camp? Let’s take a look at the offen- sive side of the ball: 1. Both quarterbacks did what they needed to do Any fans hoping Kiffin would name the starting quarterback after Saturday’s spring game likely left FAU Stadium disappointed after learning the battle will con- tinue into the fall. With that said, both quarterbacks did accomplish all of their goals. Johnson needed to show improved accuracy and arm strength. Saturday’s Johnson spring game said after that his arm strength is roughly 80 percent of where it needs to be and he expects to be fully camp healthy starts this when summer. training Robison had to show he could handle working with the first-team offense, tone down his gunslinger mentality, and stay out of trouble after being dismissed from Oklahoma for a public intox- ication arrest and violating team rules. Other than Robison being suspended for the first demic day reasons, of practice each for quar- acaterback provided reasons over the past five weeks as to why he should start at Oklahoma on Sept. 1. 2. Without Devin Singletary, the Owls offense suffered FAU’s offense looked lost at times in the final two weeks without its junior running back, the former American Heritage star who was named Conference USA MVP and an Associated Press All-American last season. He is recovering from a hamstring injury. 3. Jovon Durante could be a star at FAU If Durante’s spring camp is a sign of the future, star sophomore Willie Wright will have some competition as he tries to lead the team in catches, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns again. After sitting out last season following a transfer from West Virginia, Durante dominated the defense this spring and caught touchdowns in each of the Owls’ final three scrimmages. 4. FAU remains home of the productive walk-on FAU has gotten major contributions from walk-ons in the past, with the list notably including safety Kris Bartles (2004-07) and 2017 All-Conference USA first-team guard Roman Fernandez (Seminole Ridge). Former Dwyer star running back Gerald Hearns and wide receiver Dante Cousart seem primed to join the list after starring this spring. Hearns filled in well for Singletary and started with the first-team offense on Saturday, putting him in position to potentially fill Buddy Howell’s role as the power back.
Cousart took advantage of injured receivers to start with the first team at points this spring.
“It was a process, but you know, you gotta trust it,” Cousart said after catching three passes for 30 yards on Saturday. “You gotta always put in the work. The coaches gave me an opportunity and made the most out of it. … It’s pretty exciting. A lot of people wouldn’t think I could do it, but I always trusted myself.”
5. Key offensive Owls limited
Rising sophomore running back Tyrek Tisdale was limited all spring with an undisclosed injury and wide receiver Tavaris Harrison did not practice after the first week. Tisdale was viewed as the most likely candidate for the role Hearns currently has, while Harrison would have seen first-team action when other wide receivers were out.
Thou g h starting c enter Tarrick Thomas stayed healthy, the rising redshirt junior failed to make an impact and will likely begin training camp as the third center behind former Tulane starter Junior Diaz and JUCO transfer Zack Bennett (Arizona Western C.C.).