Brian Kelly discusses why LSU didn't name a QB1 after spring practices
Brian Kelly has a big decision on his hands ahead of his first season as the LSU head coach.
He is currently dealing with a 4-man quarterback battle between Myles Brennan, Garrett Nussmeier, Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels and highly touted freshman Walker Howard.
No starter was named following spring practices. During an interview with WAFB9 this week, Kelly was asked if he didn’t name a starter in order to keep the other quarterbacks from transferring. He replied that there was a different reason for the decision (via 247Sports):
“Well, certainly that’s an unintended consequence,” he said. “I don’t think we went in there with that game plan. That ‘Let’s not – let’s get this thing muddied so nobody can transfer.’ Here is what happened: we needed to put a new offense in. That offense really needed to take precedence over fitting it towards any one particular quarterback. The reality is each one has a different skillset. So what will happen now when we go into camp is that the real work begins, because we are going to need to fit the offense to each one of their skill sets. So the separation will take place in preseason camp.”
So, who will end up winning the job? We might not know until Sunday, Sept. 4, when the Tigers kick off their 2022 campaign against Florida State in New Orleans.
I still believe it’s Brennan’s job to lose, but Nussmeier isn’t making it easier. Daniels is a better runner. They should work him into gadget plays. They need not mess this up.
Brennan winning the job and having a solid year would be a great come-back story.
2 years ago Brennan had the best first 3 games in LSU history. We do know he can do it. Nussmeier may beat him out but I don’t see Daniels doing it
He threw for the most yards in those first three games, and we lost two of them to unranked opponents. His 60% completion rate was below average and his two picks against MSU were quite costly. He’s got to play better to keep his job. I definitely hope he does.
The defense lost those games. 117 points scored in those 3 games, that’s about 40 points per game. That’s enough to win, if the defense does its job.
But, to be honest, I think I’d almost prefer Nussmeier. Either Brennan or Nussmeier would be good. Keep Daniels out of it, use him as emergency backup. Howard will red shirt.
Daniels should have chosen Mizzou. He won’t start at LSU. Too much talent in the QB room.
Don’t know why they keep referring to it as a 4-man race. Everyone knows Howard is going to red shirt.