4-star QB Colin Hurley commits to LSU, reclassifies to 2024 cycle

Growing up, Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Christian Academy four-star quarterback Colin Hurley watched LSU succeed on the field and send talented players to the NFL. It made him want to be a Tiger one day.

Over the past few months, LSU head coach Brian Kelly and his staff hoped for the same thing. They also offered Hurley the opportunity to reclassify from the 2025 to the 2024 cycle. The 6-foot-0.5, 212-pound signal-caller believed in Kelly’s plan and committed to the Tigers on Friday.

“LSU was definitely at the top of my list,” Hurley told On3. “I really felt like that place could be my home. I dropped the top 12 and those schools were competing with LSU, but LSU really grew on me. They made it home for me, they went all in on me. They told me that I’m gonna be the only ’24 quarterback they’re taking. I feel like we established a relationship, so we can both trust each other on the field, off the field, with the offense. I feel like this is the best place for me to go to.”

Hurley’s Sept. 10 visit to Baton Rouge was a deal-maker for him and his family. In addition to watching LSU’s win over Southern, he toured sports facilities and academic buildings.

The Florida native is returning to the Tigers this weekend for their game against Alabama. It will give him an opportunity to reunite with LSU’s coaching staff, who played an instrumental role in Hurley’s pledge to the purple-and-gold.

“I’ve been talking to at least one LSU staff member every week,” Hurley said. “They never lost touch with me. They’ve really grown on me. They’ve made me the most comfortable. I feel like Baton Rouge can be my home. LSU football is always something that I’ve dreamed of. I can’t wait to be playing on Saturdays there in Death Valley.”

Kelly and Co. gave Hurley confidence in reclassifying

Hurley first got thoughts of reclassifying when his top schools brought it up to him in the spring. He believes it will be beneficial for his development on the field.

“I feel like me going to the ’24 class will be a huge opportunity for me to go ahead and excel,” Hurley said. “I’ll get to college early and get that developmental stage and get used to the ropes that are in college football. I feel like this is the best opportunity for me and everyone around me is saying the same thing as well.”

The four-star made his final decision to reclassify after choosing LSU. Right now, Hurley is planning to enroll early and get a head start on the Tigers’ playbook.

Throughout his recruitment, Kelly got close with multiple LSU staffers including Kelly, offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan and recruiting specialist Jordan Arcement.

“Those guys have really made it feel like home there at LSU,” Hurley said. “I’m really grateful for them giving me this opportunity to go play SEC football and go compete in the SEC, so this means a lot to me.”

Hurley developed a very strong bond with Kelly, who is in his first season coaching the Tigers. The four-star has already won two state championships and a Florida Player of the Year award. Now, he believes he will “win some more” with the former Notre Dame coach.

“Coach Kelly’s an amazing coach,” Hurley said. “He’s an amazing person. He checks on me all the time, checks on my dad, my mom. That’s a coach I really want to play for and I’m going to play for. He definitely has success with winning and he also has a lot of success with quarterback play and quarterback development. As a high school quarterback, that’s what I want to see. He’s definitely an offensive lineman coach, so that’s another bonus right there as well.”

Hurley is excited to wear the purple-and-gold at Tiger Stadium

Following his commitment, Hurley wants to help LSU’s 2023 and 2024 recruiting classes get even better. The Tigers’ 2024 group currently includes six prospects, including Hurley, Bellaire (Texas) Shadow Creek four-star safety Maurice Williams and Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes four-star athlete Joseph Stone.

“I’m gonna recruit as much as I can for the ’23 (and) ’24 class(es), even ’25s as well,” Hurley said. “I’m gonna go out there and do my best to bring the best athletes around the country to Baton Rouge.”

Even though he is committed, Hurley has the same goals. In fact, he plans to work “twice as hard.”

Hurley is well-aware of former LSU greats, including Leonard Fournette, Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson and Tyrann Mathieu among many others. The four-star quarterback hopes that he finds similar success in Baton Rouge.

“LSU has always been a dream school of mine, so this really impacts me and my family,” Hurley said.