How LSU Football avoided a pitfall that other programs haven’t been able to avoid
By Zach Ragan
LSU football received some extremely positive news on Thursday.
The Tigers learned that quarterback Myles Brennan will return to Baton Rouge in 2022 for his final season of eligibility.
There’s no place like home. Let’s ride tiger nation! 🦾 pic.twitter.com/uxNtwDP7iU
— Myles Brennan (@MylesBrennan) December 16, 2021
Brennan, who entered the transfer portal in early November, was expected to compete with Max Johnson for the Tigers’ starting quarterback in 2021.
But just before the start of fall camp, Brennan suffered a broken arm that sidelined him for the first few months of the season.
With Johnson and Garrett Nussmeier on the roster, plus 2022 five-star quarterback Walker Howard on the way, Brennan decided to enter the portal.
Johnson also entered the portal earlier this month, leaving LSU with just one scholarship quarterback in Nussmeier for their bowl game matchup against Kansas State later this month. The hope was to redshirt Nussmeier this season, and playing in the bowl game could jeopardize that.
Brennan, who won’t play in the bowl game, is returning to LSU after a conversation with Brian Kelly where he was asked by the new Tigers head coach to come back in 2022.
New #LSU coach Brian Kelly called Myles Brennan on Monday and asked him to remain in Baton Rouge. After two days of thought, the QB agreed.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 16, 2021
Brennan's decision to return centered largely around Kelly's history of developing QBs & operating successful offenses.
LSU football avoided a major pitfall that other programs haven’t been able to avoid
The Tigers will have three scholarship quarterbacks in 2022 who are capable of starting in the SEC and leading LSU to a successful season.
That’s something that not many programs can say these days.
We’re living in an age where quarterbacks hit the transfer portal the moment there’s adversity. If they don’t have a clear path to starting, they go somewhere that needs a quarterback. The days of quarterbacks competing and waiting their turn — even if they’re veterans — appear to be mostly over.
Except at LSU apparently.
The Tigers are going to be in good shape next season if something happens to their starting quarterback — whoever that starting quarterback ends up being.
Having Brennan, Nussmeier, and Howard on the roster could be the difference in winning the SEC West or not winning the SEC West.
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I think this speaks to the kind of culture that Kelly is already building in Baton Rouge. If players were getting a bad vibe from him, there’s no way Brennan would return.
It’s certainly a good sign for the future of LSU Football.