LSU football could be in a no-win situation with key recruit

LSU football is one of several programs pursuing 2021 five-star quarterback Caleb Williams.

LSU football recently made five-star quarterback Caleb Williams’ top five.

That’s obviously good news for the Tigers — Williams is rated (247Sports composite rankings) as the No. 1 dual threat quarterback in the country and the No. 5 overall 2021 recruit in the nation.

But LSU could actually be in a very tough situation with Williams.

Williams isn’t the only 2021 quarterback the Tigers are hoping to land. LSU is also pursuing four-star quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (who happens to have a connection to new Tigers passing game coordinator Scott Linehan).

LSU has told Nussmeier they plan on signing two quarterbacks in 2021.

Nussmeier is expected to announce his commitment near the end of April (though that could change, based on the effects of the novel coronavirus).

If Nussmeier commits to LSU, it could potentially lead Williams to commit elsewhere. It’s not that I think Williams is afraid of competition, but if he is down to LSU and Oklahoma when it’s time to commit, it’s possible that the presence of Nussmeier could break the tie.

So what does LSU do in this situation?

They don’t have a choice but to accept a commitment from Nussmeier. If the Tigers don’t take his commitment in April (or whenever it happens) and then they miss on Williams, it would leave them without either of their top two quarterback targets.

I think LSU has to bring Nussmeier in the boat (assuming he commits to LSU, which I think he will) and continue to aggressively pursue Williams.

There’s one thing that can actually work in the Tigers’ favor, though. It seems likely that the NCAA will soon pass a rule allowing a one-time transfer with immediate eligibility. If/when that rule gets passed, it could mean recruits are more likely to sign with a program that has a cluttered depth chart.

In other words, if you don’t win the job, you try your luck somewhere else.