LSU quarterbacks urged to 'earn it' by Brian Kelly when it comes to competition

This spring, LSU quarterbacks are engaging in a wide open competition. It begins with the “first in to last in” taking snaps beginning Thursday on LSU’s practice fields. As the staff watches practice unfold, things could change as the new era looks for the right signal caller.

“We’ve got a challenge on our hands,” offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock said earlier this spring. “We’ve got to be way more productive offensively to win the type of games that we want to win. I’m excited to get that process on the field started. Once it gets to on the field work and being with these guys every day, I can’t wait for that.”

It’ll be Myles Brennan’s turn to once again take the first snaps for the Tigers though. He’s lost many snaps to injury the past two seasons and now instead of being the perceived leader, he’s in an open competition with a new coaching staff.

Arizona State transfer quarterback Jayden Daniels, who has 29 career games under his belt, could provide the fiercest competition. Redshirt freshman Garrett Nussmeier, who played in four games last year, and early enrollee Walker Howard, will also be in on the action as LSU quarterbacks.

Head coach Brian Kelly and his staff will change the order of the reps as quarterbacks separate or cement themselves, adding more motivation to produce. Spring practice is for laying the foundation for the season, which is one of change for LSU.

That’s why Kelly urged LSU quarterbacks to take command of the opportunity. Brennan returned for his final season with hopes of being the starter, but Kelly brought in stiff competition for the former four-star prospect.

“I think we started with just wanted to add more competition. Look, nobody has the starting position,” Kelly told reporters on Wednesday. “‘Go earn it. You’ve worked hard, he’s changed his body, he’s healthy. Remember when you threw four touchdown passes against Missouri. You’re an outstanding quarterback. Why can’t it be you?’ The same thing for Nuss, the same thing for Jayden.”

Daniels brings dual-threat ability to LSU quarterbacks

The buzz will be around Daniels, who came to Arizona State as the nation’s No. 3 quarterback in 2019, will be loud after arriving this month. At ASU, Daniels completed 62.4% of his passes for 6,025 yards and 32 touchdowns over three years.

Kelly said the former four-star prospect brings much more than the scheme in Tempe allowed him to showcase.

“I think he brings more than extending plays, actually,” Kelly said. “He was in an offensive structure and system which was really built towards ball control this past year, playing to a very good defense. We think that there’s a lot that’s not been tapped into with his ability to be a dual-threat quarterback. He’s got arm talent, he’s got a high IQ and he can run the football. He’s a talented runner of the football. He wasn’t asked to do that. He was more of an extender of plays.

“We think there’s much more to it than what he’s brought over the last couple years.”

As the LSU quarterbacks get comfortable in Denbrock’s system, the staff can divide up its reps based on performance. That’ll come as the competition rolls on and from there, someone will emerge as the first starter of the Kelly era.

“You’ve got to get enough work before you can start parceling them out … I think it’s just the inner confidence they all have in themselves that they can be the starter.”