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LSU QB Colin Hurley returns to practice | "He looks great physically."

Untitled design (1)by:Julie Boudwin•04/16/25
Colin Hurley LSU
Colin Hurley LSU

LSU backup quarterback Colin Hurley returned to the practice field this week, nearly three months after a scary car crash just steps from campus.

Hurley, who just completed his true freshman season with the Tigers, was spotted in full gear—helmet and shoulder pads—during practice Tuesday, a promising sign for the former four-star recruit. Jacques Doucet of WAFB-TV shared video of Hurley throwing and moving with ease from Tuesday’s spring practice.

Hurley’s Dodge Charger veered off the road and struck a tree near LSU’s South Quad Drive and Highland Road in January. According to WBRZ, first responders arrived to find Hurley unresponsive but breathing. Firefighters had to extricate the young quarterback from the wreckage. He was in and out of consciousness at the scene and rushed to Our Lady of the Lake Health for treatment.

The family released a statement in the days that followed to thanked the first responders, doctors, nurses, and Tiger fans for their “care and compassion,” adding that Hurley was stable and expected to make a full recovery.

Hurley’s journey to LSU had already been unique before the crash. Originally a member of the 2025 recruiting class, Hurley reclassified and enrolled early as part of the 2024 class. That decision made him one of the youngest players on the Tigers’ roster this past season.

“I can’t wait to go in there, do the best I can do and put forward the effort and time toward my team,” Hurley said before enrolling.

LSU head coach Brian Kelly was clearly encouraged by what he saw from Hurley during Tuesday’s practice session.

“It was great to see Colin out there today (Tuesday),” Kelly told local media members. “He was involved in some of the 1-on-1s. He looks great physically. He’s got an unbelievably strong arm. It was just great to have him back out there and just to have him here on campus. It’s a blessing to get that young man back here and be in the kind of physical condition that he is, it’s exciting.”

With Garrett Nussmeier set to lead LSU’s offense in 2025, the backup QBs consist of transfer Michael Van Buren, Ju’Juan Johnson, who moved from defense to offense, and Hurley.

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