Ed Orgeron assesses play of Max Johnson entering final week of season

Entering the season, LSU’s quarterback pecking order was well established with senior Myles Brennan, sophomore Max Johnson and freshman Garrett Nussmeier ready to play for head coach Ed Orgeron. However, injuries and a disappointing start leave Brennan in the transfer portal, Johnson fighting for his spot and Nussmeier debating the merits of a redshirt.

The son of former NFL quarterback Brad Johnson, Max Johnson arrived at LSU with great excitement from the fans. Through his first 17 appearances, coaches are left wanting more. Head coach Ed Orgeron, who is seeing out his final season, provided an honest review of Max Johnsons play this season during his Monday press conference.

“I think he played really well,” Orgeron said. “We all want our quarterback to be perfect – we all want Joe Burrow back there – and he wants to be perfect too. But nobody plays a perfect game. There’s still some things to grow. He’s still holding the ball way too long but sometimes he’s holding the ball because it’s not open. You can’t blame him. And then a couple of times they went zero blitz on us – we didn’t pick the guy up – he gets sacked.”

He continued: “it’s a combination of getting better on offense – a combination of calling better plays – a combination of him getting rid of the ball quicker.”

Johnson’s tenure at starting quarterback – which expands across two seasons – is marred by LSU’s overall disappointment. Despite crossing the 300-yard mark in five of his 13 starts, the 10-11 record over the past two seasons overshadows any on-field achievements.

He has 3,577 career passing yards with 32 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also has three rushing touchdowns.

Quarterback controversy

Max Johnson’s backup Garrett Nussmeier is the son of Dallas Cowboys quarterback coach Doug Nussmeier. The family created a quarterback controversial several weeks ago by discussing the value of Nussmeier’s redshirt with Ed Orgeron.

The decision on whether or not to redshirt Nussmeier or give him snaps remains a prominent topic for LSU. However, it appears that LSU has maybe come to a final decision.

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron has maintained that the decision is completely Nussmeier’s. Prior to last Saturday’s game against UL Monroe, Orgeron told reporters the latest regarding Nussmeier’s redshirt intentions.

“As it seems right now Garrett is not going to play,” Orgeron said prior to Saturday’s game against Louisiana-Monroe. “So Max (Johnson) is our starter and Garrett is going to take the redshirt year. If something comes up, Matt O’Dowd is going to have to go in.”