Western Kentucky coach Tyson Helton names TJ Finley starting QB vs. Alabama

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers head coach Tyson Helton has named quarterback TJ Finley as the team’s starter for their Week 1 game against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

TJ Finley is a quarterback who SEC fans are sure to be familiar with. He started his career by making stops at LSU and Auburn. Now, he’s in his first season with Western Kentucky.

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“TJ will run out there first,” Tyson Helton said. “But I’ve told both quarterbacks that they both need to be ready to play. We’ll see how the game goes. I feel like at Camp either one of those men were deserving of being the starter. You can flip a coin to be quite honest. Somebody has to run out there first.”

In between his time at Auburn and Western Kentucky, Finley spent one season at Texas State. While there, he excelled, completing 67.4 percent of his passes for 3,439 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also rushed for five touchdowns.

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TJ Finley did find himself in a quarterback battle at Western Kentucky with Caden Veltkamp. A redshirt sophomore, Veltkamp played in three games for the Hilltoppers, including the bowl game. He would go on to be named the offensive MVP of that game.

“So, TJ will run out there first but you can expect to see Caden [Veltkamp] in there. Wouldn’t be shocked if he gets in there and we’re gonna continue to evaluate both quarterbacks throughout the early part of the season. Just because I think both quarterbacks can win for us,” Helton said.

“I don’t want any one particular guy looking over his shoulder or feeling pressure. I know what that feels like but I know competition brings out the best in everybody. So, we’ll continue to do that piece of it.”

For his part, TJ Finley began his career as a three-star recruit in the Class of 2020, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He joined LSU as the 32nd-ranked quarterback in his class before bouncing to Auburn and later Texas State.

As Western Kentucky prepares for Alabama, Finley brings some very real SEC experience that should help him handle the moment as well as the pressure of a quarterback battle. Still, from what it sounds like, the Hilltoppers are confident they have multiple options at quarterback.