Max Johnson won't let new QB1 role change him at LSU

Reports emerged last week that LSU quarterback Myles Brennan underwent surgery for a broken left arm. Max Johnson was promptly named LSU’s new starting quarterback by head coach Ed Orgeron. Johnson has embraced his new role as the leader of the offense.

Unfortunate Brennan injury opens door for Johnson

Brennan was expected to begin the year as LSU’s starting quarterback. The news was unfortunate for Brennan, who was just returning from a torn abdomen when he hurt his arm. He threw for 1,112 yards and 11 touchdowns in three games last season.

When Brennan went down, it opened the door for Johnson to step up as the next quarterback for LSU. Johnson felt terrible for Brennan, but says that he is excited for him to re-join the team later in the season.

“We all felt bad for Myles and it stunk for the whole team,” Johnson said, according to Rivals’ Julie Boudwin. “He’s a leader on our team. I was looking forward to competing with him.”

When Brennan was the presumptive starter for LSU, Johnson was excited about the opportunity to push him and compete for the starting quarterback job. That hasn’t changed now that Brennan’s no longer available.

“I’m going to compete every day,” Johnson said. “I wish we could have competed. Unfortunate it’s not that way. We’re looking forward to having him help us in the QB room.”

Max Johnson on where he was in QB battle: I'm going to compete every day. I wish we could have competed. Unfortunately it's not that way. We're looking forward to having him (Myles) help us in the QB room. #LSU

— Scott Rabalais (@RabalaisAdv) August 7, 2021

Johnson went 2-0 as LSU’s starting quarterback in 2020

Johnson appeared in six games last season and won each of his two starts late in the year. In doing so, he helped LSU avoid finishing below .500 for the first time since 1999. Johnson, the son of former NFL quarterback Brad Johnson, completed 58.7 percent of his passes while throwing for 1,069 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception.

Now, Johnson must prove that he is a capable leader of LSU’s offense to open the season. Johnson is not going to let his new role change how he goes about his business, though.

“I’m not going to change at all,” he said. “This is who I am. I love football, I love competing every day. We’re all trying to pursue our goals to be the best we can be.”

In offseason work, Johnson emphasized growing more familiar within LSU’s offense.

“I’m just trying to learn the offense and be the best I can be every day,” Johnson said.

Another key part of a quarterback’s job is familiarizing himself with the players around him. Whether that is with receivers, running backs, or lineman, being comfortable within the rest of the offense is a key factor for a young starting quarterback in Johnson.

“Really just more experience in practices and more experience on the field,” Johnson said, per 247Sports’ Matthew Brune. “Getting comfortable with the offensive lineman and learning from coach Peetz.”

#LSU QB Max Johnson on where he focused on this offseason: "Really just more experience in practices and more experience on the field. Getting comfortable with the offensive lineman and learning from coach Peetz."

— Matthew Brune (@MatthewBrune_) August 7, 2021

Image courtesy of: Gus Stark/Collegiate Images via Getty Images.