To find success and overcome past trouble, Robison needs to be make better decisions, similar to the Cleveland Browns' Mayfield

BOCA RATON — Florida Atlantic quarterback Chris Robison has a message for his critics: he slowly, but surely, gets their concerns.

A humbled Robison, who was suspended all of spring camp after a fellow student's offseason accusation of sexual battery — which was later recanted — and an admission of underage drinking and drug use, acknowledged Friday he needs to make better decisions. Robison said he understands why some are skeptical about his future with the Owls.

“I would say in the community, and to maybe some of the players and some of the coaches, I’m not the best guy off the field,” Robison told reporters Friday afternoon after FAU's first fall camp practice. “And I would say so myself. I look in the mirror like, I’ve got to get things straight."

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Robison, a Texas native, has a history of off-field incidents. He was arrested for public intoxication at the University of Oklahoma as a true freshman in April 2017. Robison transferred to FAU after the Sooners dismissed him four months later for violating team rules.

Robison was suspended for the start of FAU's 2018 spring camp for missing a tutoring session.

"Me being able to represent the school, the coaches, the team and the community is a real big part of my position and I need to definitely get better at that," Robison said.

If the "talented Texas quarterback with baggage" sounds familiar, think back to FAU head coach Lane Kiffin's initial impressions of Robison. Kiffin said he saw a "little bit of Johnny-ish to him" after Robison's first practice in August 2017.

The Johnny in question? Johnny Manziel, the former Heisman Trophy winner whose professional career was derailed by attitude and legal issues. But if Robison is going to model himself after a Texas quarterback, he should aim for former Sooners teammate and Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Mayfield had his own problems. He accepted a plea deal on misdemeanor charges of public intoxication, fleeing and disorderly conduct after he fled from police in February 2017. Mayfield's brash attitude rattled many throughout his final season in Norman, Okla., from planting a Sooners flag on the field at Ohio State to grabbing his crotch in a gesture aimed at the Kansas Jayhawks sideline.

Mayfield still doesn't shy away from the headlines. The 2017 Heisman winner criticized New York Giants fans for not appreciating wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and spoke out against teammate Duke Johnson for seeking a trade.

It could have been Robison starting for the Sooners this season and following in Mayfield's footsteps if he didn't run into problems in Norman. And at times last season, Robison certainly showed flashes of why he was expected to be Oklahoma's next star quarterback. Robison set an FAU single-game record by throwing for 471 yards in a September home win over Air Force.

Conference USA coaches thought highly enough of Robison, who finished the year with 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, to name him the league's co-freshman of the year.

But there's more to being a starting quarterback than just stats. Mayfield thrived at Oklahoma — and has put himself in position to become one of the NFL's top quarterbacks — because he successfully mixed his personality with his play style. He earned respect, even a begrudging sort from opponents, because he was too good to beat, too dangerous to contain.

Robison may not be a future No. 1 overall pick like Mayfield or his replacement, Kyler Murray. But an improved and focused Robison, one who can build off his freshman highlights, could be the key to FAU's return to a bowl game after last year's disappointing 5-7 finish.

"I was not locked in as I should have been whether that was throughout the whole week or even on game day," Robison said. "And I would say me being able to prepare the best way would be what I learned the best.”

Robison is still shaking off the rust as he battles Indiana transfer Nick Tronti and walk-on Justin Agner in the quarterback competition. Still, Robison's comments Friday were a positive step forward in showing he can handle the off-field component of being a Division I quarterback.

"Not a lot of people have this opportunity, and I’ve obviously already been given a second chance being from Oklahoma," Robison said, "and I can’t continue to do things, whatever that may be, that put me in the public eye in a bad light.

"So just being able to act like a pro every single day, whether that’s on or off the field, and representing the school and my teammates in the community as a better person.”

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