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Decisions
6/22/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
June 22, 2016
BOCA RATON, Fla. - When Freedom Whitfield was asked what Florida Atlantic University had meant to him, the graduating linebacker said "FAU has taught me that it is not our abilities that show what we truly are - it is our choices."
With that statement Whitfield summed up the Florida Atlantic quarterback race.
In no other sport does a team receive the play from their coaches, have the ball set by the officials, analyze the opponent, put the play in motion - all within 40 seconds, and then do it all over again regardless of success or failure within a 40 second window.
From the most difficult of business to the most mundane, decisions are researched, analyzed, discussed and often pondered. On the football field, decisions are made before thousands of fans, set in motion and executed - all within 40 seconds.
Head Coach Charlie Partridge has time for this decision. He will make the starting quarterback decision by analyzing the body of their spring and fall practices. He will ponder the decision all summer and will start the person he feels can put the Owls in the best position for a positive outcome.
The duo of Jason Driskel, a 6-2, 210 pound redshirt sophomore from Oviedo, Fla., and Daniel Parr a 6-3, 190 pound redshirt freshman from nearby Jupiter, Fla., are proven winners and more importantly are competitive students of the game.
"They have truly, truly pushed each other. I love the competition," said Partridge. "There is no incumbent. There is competition every day, every drill. One day you think (Jason) Driskel's got it. The next day (Daniel) Parr takes it. They are both operating as starters."
Driskel holds the edge in game experience. He saw action in 10 games and drew two starts in 2015. He 
was 77-151-4 in passing on the year with 965 yards and three scores. But, it is Driskel who proved when thrown into action late in the first quarter versus Miami, before an FAU Stadium sold out crowd, that ability to prepare, to make decisions and to handle the unexpected can mean more than experience.
In Driskel's first collegiate action, the redshirt freshman marched the Owls down the field to pull FAU within four (14-10). Before Driskel's next touch of the ball, the Canes kicked a field goal and held a seven point lead. Driskel then led the Owls down field for the second time of his career and handed off to Jay Warren for the nine-yard score to even the contest at 17, with just minutes to go in the half.
It also is fun to watch the duo in practice. Both work with the first unit. One is under center and the other is just a few yards behind. Both drop back from the snap and go through the progression. One tosses the pass or hands the ball off and the other goes through the motion just a few feet behind, very often it is the same motion, the same read and the same decision. Two different people - one thought.
"Travis (Trickett - FAU's new offensive coordinator) will not allow them to stand back there," said Partridge when asked about the shadowing in practice. "They have to simulate the throw, so that Travis can coach both quarterbacks on every rep."
Through Spring Drills, the duo were neck and neck. Similar enough that they are interchangeable. But, unique enough to excel in different ways. Driskel is an intelligent quarterback that has learned through his experiences as well as the experiences of his brother, Jeff, who played at both Florida and Louisiana Tech and is now a member of the NFL.
Parr played for Dwyer High School, one of the best high school programs in the state and was
highly recruited by power five programs, but made the decision to attend FAU led by Charlie Partridge, who began recruiting Parr early in his high school career and never wavered in the recruitment process. Partridge kept the recruiting dialogue alive throughout his coaching stops bringing the two together once he assumed FAU's helm. Despite multiple options and late pressure as signing day drew near, Parr's commitment to building his hometown team never swayed. He enrolled in January 2015 as an early high school graduate for the opportunity to begin his college career.
The decision of which quarterback to start will be similar to the progressions the quarterbacks are asked to do on every play. FAU has two outstanding quarterbacks. Both have the ability to guide FAU's crisp offense. Both have the ability to taking advantage of the opportunities given by opposing defenses. Both will continue to compete well after that initial decision is made and no matter who starts that first snap the competition makes the Owls better in the process.
Newcomers
Steven Frank, 6-4, 225, Oswego, Ill.
Trent Wessel, 6-2, 190, Tampa, Fla.
Players Mentioned
QB
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QB
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QB
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RB
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QB
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LB
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