Parr pushing to make QB battle a 3-way race
If Saturday’s practice at Liberty City’s Hadley Park was any indication, Florida Atlantic’s Daniel Parr is making strides in turning a two-way quarterback competition into a three-way derby.
For the second time in three days, Parr took the majority of snaps with the second-team offense as Jason Driskel did not practice with the Owls. On Thursday, Driskel missed practice because of an exam. Saturday, he was dressed for practice but did not participate due to an undisclosed reason.
Driskel and De’Andre Johnson have been alternating days commanding the first-team offense as the assumed favorites to win the starting gig.
Parr led two touchdown drives with the secondteam unit Saturday afternoon. He hit slot receiver LaDante Harris for a long pass down the sideline before finding him for a short touchdown. Later, he threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to tight endHarrison Bryant.
He did not throw an interception, but could have had two of them to Korel Smith and Jalen Young. Officials ruled he was sacked in the backfield before getting rid of the ball.
“If I had to grade myself, I’d probably grade myself around aC,” Parr said. “I did some good things, did some bad things. There’s always room for improvement, so I’m just going to focus on getting better right now.”
Although FAU coach Lane Kiffinwas not at practice due to a death in the family, Parr got a chance to impress offensive coordinatorKendal Briles. Kiffin and Briles typically watch the practice field where the first- and second-teamers play. When Parr was with the third team, it was out of their sight. Saturday put him in Briles’ view.
Parr said he’s feeling “more decisive” in Briles’ offense as he becomes familiar with it. The feedback from Kiffin and Briles is similar, he said.
“Obviously, I’ve had conversations with both of them,” Parr said. “Main thing they’re just telling me is to really start mastering the offense more and being a little bit more decisive. As far as that, they’ve told me I’m doing prettywell.”
Parr enrolled at FAU in 2015 as one of the most heralded recruits in the school’s history. The Dwyer product spurned a late push by the MiamiHurricanes to stick with the Owls.
Last season, Parr lost the preseason battle with Driskel but still played in nine games, starting once against Rice. Parr, now a redshirt sophomore, threw for 106 yards and two interceptions last year. He completed 15-of-36 passes.
For now, Parr is not consumed by a potential threeway battle, instead choosing to focus on himself.
“Just making sure I go out every day and doing what I had to do to execute,” Parr said. “That’s all I’m focused on and as long as I do that, everything will take care of itself.”
Parr even got a series with the first-team offense on Saturday, the first time all camp he’s run with the ones. The drive stalled inside the 10-yard line before Parr was sacked on fourth down.
“He looks good,” Johnson said. “I feel like he played very well. He checked on his reads. He delivered the ball.”
Parr’s drive with the starters underscored a late push by the offense on Saturday. In the first 18 drives of the day, the offense produced two touchdowns and three turnovers. The defense scored twice (once on Ernest Bagner’s scoop and score, once on Savion Harris’ pick six).
But the next five drives all ended in either the end zone or the red zone. Parr and Steven Frank capped touchdowndrives with passes.“Our offense is based on a lot of rhythm,” Parr said. “Once we get going in a good tempo and rhythm, then we can really start driving and executing and moving the ball down the field.”
mdefranks@ sun-sentinel.com; On Twitter@MDeFranks.