Walker Howard explains approach to LSU quarterback competition

LSU had a busy offseason in the transfer portal after first-year head coach Brian Kelly looked to rebuild the roster. Among the many additions, the Tigers added freshman quarterback Walker Howard to the roster to compete in a quarterback room filled with experience players.

After competing with Myles Brennan, Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier for the starting quarterback job at LSU throughout the spring, Walker Howard explained to the media how he soaked up the knowledge in the room.

“Yeah, there’s a good amount of quarterbacks in there,” said Howard. “But I use it, I take advantage of every single minute, just because. I try to take as many mental reps as I can, just because Jayden’s played for three years, Myles has been here for a while – Myles has a lot of experience – Nuss has a lot of experience last year too.

“I came in here with no experience and those three guys all had experience. It’s all about how I use it and I took advantage of it, or I try to. It’s tough sometimes but I’m trying to take advantage of it.”

Howard ranked No. 48 overall in the 2022 On3 Consensus rankings. He also came to LSU as the No. 6 quarterback and No. 5 ranked player in the state of Louisiana. Before taking the LSU job, Kelly had also recruited him to Notre Dame.

Jayden Daniels on quarterback competition

Jayden Daniels, now competing for the starting quarterback job at LSU, ranked as the 60th overall transfer prospect in the On3 Transfer Rankings before making a move from Arizona State. He has been adamant that even with a position battle ahead of him, he made the right choice.

During his first player availability, Daniels discussed that competition between players for the position in 2022.

“Coach Kelly was very transparent,” said Daniels. “It’s kind of like going back to when I was being recruited out of high school. Arizona State, coach Herman (Edwards) and them had two other freshman quarterbacks coming in the same class as me. At the end of the day, they said, ‘you have an opportunity to come in and play if you do the things, the best player is going to play.’ So at the end of the day coach Kelly said the same thing.

“The best player is going to play, it’s not anything where we’re on the phone and he’s guaranteeing me, talking about you’re going to start or anything. It’s been very transparent. Walker, Myles came back, Nussmeier is a good player. At the end of the day, I didn’t want anything handed to me and I felt like it was the best spot for me.”