This is it. This is the last weekend of 2022 without college football, and the last weekend of 2022 that I’m willing to participate in Saturday activities that don’t include TV’s. On that note, time is winding down for the LSU Tigers to choose a starting quarterback. With Florida State only two weeks away, the potential starter will need to get as many reps as possible for preparation and chemistry, and also for Brian Kelly and Mike Denbrock to sufficiently tailor the offense around his skillset. After a full scrimmage Wednesday, there have been some intriguing developments at other positions that will help solidify the depth chart.

• Myles Brennan has removed himself from the quarterback race and apparently quit football. Brennan had the physical tools but did not have the luck to go with it. I appreciate his decision to stay at LSU over the years in the age of the transfer portal.
• Noah Cain has surprisingly emerged as the starter at running back. It was even more surprising that Armoni Goodwin received 2nd team reps ahead of projected starter, John Emery. This could be a motivational tactic for Emery, or it could be that the other backs are outperforming him. No worries here; they’re all good, just different.
• McNeese transfer, Colby Richardson, has worked his way up to 1st team reps at cornerback. Jarrick Bernard-Converse is entrenched at one corner, but the competition will continue with Richardson, Mekhi Garner, and Sevyn Banks for the other spot.

Today’s scrimmage should offer more light to the likely outcome of these position battles. Kelly mentioned shifting some offensive linemen around today, so that will give guys like Cam Wire and freshman guard Emory Jones an opportunity to prove they’re worthy of a starting spot. I’ll be looking out for developments in the secondary, running back rotation, and of course, the quarterbacks.

Quarterbacks

The departure of Myles Brennan confirmed what most already knew; the battle for QB1 is between Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier. Daniels enters his senior year at a new program after starting three years for Arizona State. The 6’3″, 200 lb senior is thought of in some circles as a runner and inaccurate. Daniels can run, but he can also make plays from the pocket. The accuracy issues people saw in the spring is more of a product of a lack of reps to build timing and chemistry with the receivers than an indictment of his ability. Several LSU receivers spent time working out with Daniels in his home state of California this summer, and the familiarity can only help him. The attention Daniels’ running ability commands makes it tough for opposing defenses to double anybody from LSU’s talented receiving group. Garrett Nussmeier is trying to prove he’s a mature, cerebral quarterback, and not just a “gunslinger”. Nussmeier displayed accuracy, timing, decision making, and ball placement that went beyond what I saw from the other quarterbacks in the spring. However, that was the spring. Nussmeier has to continue to improve and has to be overwhelmingly better operating the offense to overcome Daniels’ running ability. Don’t discount the fact that Nussmeier came to LSU with the insanely talented sophomore class of receivers currently on the roster. The time spent and relationships built plays a role in the leadership ability of the quarterback and cannot be ignored. Walker Howard is a true freshman and the son of former LSU quarterback, Jamie Howard. Howard is probably the most talented pure passer on the roster, but he is prepared to redshirt and is not likely to get meaningful snaps this year.

As it stands today, all indications point to Jayden Daniels being named the starter. I’m confident in both quarterbacks’ ability to lead the team. Either way, this is not the time to get too caught up in the depth chart. Many position battles will continue to go on into the season, including quarterback. Some players will play better in games than they do at practice. The good thing is competition will keep players hungry and only make them better. Until next time, Geaux Tigers!!