LSU quarterbacks not backing down from competition in spring practice

Next week, LSU will begin tailoring reps to the players that deserve those extra opportunities. The LSU quarterbacks are expected to be no different as the early goings of spring practice are in the rearview mirror.

“We wanted to try to make sure that we were fairly equal across the board,” head coach Brian Kelly said over the weekend. “We’ll start to now tier that work going into the second week and begin looking at rotations and things of that nature.”

Four quarterbacks are vying for the starting job with Myles Brennan, Jayden Daniels, Walker Howard and Garrett Nussmeier are taking reps in spring ball. Under the direction of offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, once again, LSU’s offense is looking to move back to the modern era of college football. Get playmakers in space, Brennan said.

“It’s gonna be awesome. We’re going to spread the ball around,” the veteran signal caller said. “I know we’ve said that in previous years, but getting the ball in our playmakers (hands) and make them runners. That’s the term they keep using, just make them runners. Let them get the ball and go make plays.”

Brennan isn’t down on himself, thinking back to his impressive stretch in 2020 before his injury at Missouri. That’s in the past and he’s got his eyes set on making the most of his return to LSU.

“It’s been an interesting road, to say the least. I feel like my whole journey has been,” Brennan said. “You know, from having the 2020 season and getting hurt against Missouri to getting back healthy again, to having this injury, to missing last year, to going into the portal, to coming back. It’s been a whirlwind, but it’s all part of it. I understand that. It’s not going to stop me, and nothing has since. And nothing will moving forward.”

Positive attitude surrounding LSU quarterbacks, entire team

As Brennan brings positivity to his own situation, LSU’s new coaching staff is rubbing off on the LSU quarterbacks. There’s a push to be positive and make a push forward, rather than look in the past.

“I love the way things are going for us. It’s a positive mindset for us every single day,” Nussmeier explained. “Coach Kelly talks about being in the now and not worrying about what happened or the day before, it’s all about what’s next, what’s right now. I think we’re all getting better at that. Next rep, next play, switching our mindsets over to that.”

For Brennan, who is yet again learning a new offensive scheme in Baton Rouge, Kelly was a changeup from the previous staff. An offensive minded coach, Kelly is there to coach up the LSU quarterbacks.

“He wanted to be in a system where the head coach was involved with the quarterbacks,” Kelly said. “The system is certainly quarterback-friendly, the head coach is involved in it. I think that had a lot to do with it. He’s a Tiger. He loves LSU. And you can see he’s in so much better shape. He’s physically in a good spot, mentally he’s in a good spot and he’s a veteran. And that such a great commodity to have in college football today.”

Nussmeier learned a lot from 2021 experience

Nussmeier is in a way trying to get rid of the “stupid gunslinger” label he might’ve gotten. While he’s managed games his whole career, he wants to do more of that in college.

“I think I learned a lot from last year, especially being a true freshman getting to play in some real SEC time,” Nussmeier said. “I think for me personally, the biggest thing was just kind of being more of a manager of an offense. Yea, I can take some shots and make some different throws with my arm. I can’t do that every play. Just manage the offense, move the sticks. That’s your job.

“It’s a new offense, obviously. A lot different than what we were doing before so of course mistakes are going to happen, but the goal is, when you make a mistake, you try to forget about it and not make that same mistake again.”

LSU quarterbacks can’t take a moment and let up with the talent that’s assembled in the room. All were highly touted high schools prospects and are vying for that starting job.

“I think it’s been awesome having a room this stacked,” Nussmeier said. “You don’t have room to slack off, you don’t have a rep to miss. It brings the best out of everybody. That’s what competition does nowadays. You don’t run from it, you attack it and let it make yourself better.”

“I’m not new to competition, and it’s probably my sixth quarterback competition since I’ve been here,” Brennan added. “It’s part of the game. It’s nothing to shy away from. I don’t shy away from it.”

No one’s backing down.