Brian Kelly addresses potential of adding portal quarterback
The prospect of adding a quarterback has been one of the more heavily debated topics amongst LSU fans with the transfer portal officially opening on Monday morning.
Garrett Nussmeier stayed to back up Jayden Daniels in 2023 and now is presumably in line to take over the starting job in 2024 with his incredible arm talent and dynamic potential. Still, there’s a question as to the depth in the room. Behind Nussmeier sits 2023 signee Rickie Collins, then LSU is set to add 2024 commit Collin Hurley to the room as well.
Is that enough for Kelly and the Tigers going into next year? If not, what quarterbacks in the portal are OK with stepping into a situation where the starting job favors Nussmeier?
Weighing these questions, Kelly discussed how he’s handling the quarterback position, but also talked about being transparent with everyone in the quarterback room about what their plans are this offseason.
“This is a world we live in that has to be handled with transparency,” Kelly said. “If not, you’re going to find yourself without the right personnel. If we were to ever do anything in the transfer portal relative to a quarterback, we’re talking to everybody in that room. We’re talking to recruits, we’re talking to everybody. It’s about transparency. It’s about honesty. It’s about saying ‘If we’re doing that, this is why we’re doing that.’ and then making a decision and doing it. The most important thing here is what’s in the best interest of LSU’s program, not just what’s in the best interest of the singular person, so everything we do in the portal is going to be to that end.”
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After the season Jayden Daniels had at quarterback, the hope for LSU is to continue to field an elite offense with elite playmakers under Kelly moving forward. Nussmeier has certainly shown flashes of potential, but he’s yet to have gone through a full season as the starter. Collins is someone the staff is high on, but he’ll also need to be ready to step in in certain situations next year if LSU does not take a portal quarterback.
The Tigers’ staff is intent on being patient and selective in the portal, so there’s no word yet on the big picture plans, but it sounds like Kelly is open to the idea and could be looking to see if they can get another quarterback to add to the room before the spring.
Another factor is the recruitment of 2025 quarterback Bryce Underwood. The No. 1 player in the 2025 class, Underwood is someone who has expectations to step on campus and immediately compete for the starting job, but it’s unclear what that room will look like if he does in fact come to Baton Rouge in 2025. With so many variables, Kelly continues to be calculated as he hopes to do what’s best for the team’s present and its future.
