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FAU quarterback Jason Driskel says he's ending career
BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) Jason Driskel is ready for the real world.
The Florida Atlantic quarterback announced Thursday that he's ending his football career, even though he would have been eligible to return to the Owls next season. Driskel is about to graduate with a civil engineering degree.
''It was always a dream of mine to play quarterback at the FBS level and I'm proud of accomplishing that goal,'' Driskel wrote in a social media post . ''It has never been a dream of mine, however, to play football beyond college.''
Driskel helped lead the Owls to an 11-3 season in 2017, along with a Conference USA championship and a win in the Boca Raton Bowl. He completed 67 percent of his passes this past season for 2,247 yards and 15 touchdowns, while throwing only four interceptions.
Driskel was the offensive MVP of FAU's 50-3 win over Akron in the Boca Raton Bowl, throwing for 270 yards and two touchdowns and running for another two scores.
''I undoubtedly will miss my teammates and the game with all of its trials and tribulations, but I will not regret the decision to move into the next chapter of my life,'' Driskel wrote.
He thanked several coaches for their help at FAU, including current Owls head coach Lane Kiffin and former coaches Charlie Partridge and Brian Wright.
Driskel said Partridge honored his commitment to FAU ''when he didn't have to,'' and Wright ''saw in me what a lot of others did not.''
He also told FAU fans that even brighter days are ahead with Kiffin, who is entering his second season with the Owls.
''It was not always easy, I am sure, but you stuck with us through the hard times,'' Driskel told fans. ''You have now been rewarded with a great season and a great team that will continue to improve under Coach Kiffin.''
