In the past four years, LSU football fans had two quarterbacks to argue over and criticize. 
With the departure of controversial signal-callers Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee to graduation, that pressure now rests squarely on junior quarterback Zach Mettenberger. 
Mettenberger has been waiting to become the starter since his arrival in Baton Rouge last spring from Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kan. With a full year to learn the playbook and establish his role as a leader, he said stepping into the spotlight has been a smooth transition.
“I’m trying to take the offense by the reins, and I’ve got to be a leader on and off the field,” Mettenberger said. “It’s always easier to be a vocal leader when you’re finally the starting quarterback.”
Some of his teammates said they could immediately see a change in his demeanor early in spring football practice. He’s cut his hair and shaved his beard, reflecting the business-like attitude he’s now bringing to the field.
“He’s definitely changed,” said sophomore receiver Odell Beckham Jr. “He used to be really goofy and playful, and now he’s starting to take this more serious, like this is a job.” 
Mettenberger’s carefree nature has gotten him into some trouble in the past. The unfortunate circumstances that placed him at LSU are no secret. 
It’s well known that he was kicked off the Georgia squad in April 2010 after being arrested for underage consumption of alcohol and sexual battery after an incident at a Remerton, Ga., bar. 
But after enrolling at Butler, he completed 58.9 percent of his passes for 2,678 yards, 32 touchdowns and four interceptions to lead the Grizzlies to the Junior College National Championship game and become the No. 1 JUCO quarterback of the 2011 class. 
Mettenberger said he realizes his potential and has shifted his focus in order to embrace this second chance.
“It’s just realizing who I am, who I represent,” Mettenberger said. “I represent my name, my family and LSU. I just have to think of that more than I used to.” 
Mettenberger knows he’s talented and knows that this exuberant confidence, combined with his previous indiscretions, is sometimes construed as arrogance.
“I do feel like I’m a very confident person,” Mettenberger said. “You have to be confident in yourself to play the game of football. You look at the Tyrann Mathieus all the way back to Deion Sanders, there’s a fine line between cocky and confidence, and you’ve got to flirt with that line sometimes to be a good football player.” 
Last season, Mettenberger took a bootleg on a run intended for then-freshman running back Terrence Magee 25 yards to the one-yard line in the waning minutes of a 52-3 victory against Ole Miss. Some viewed it as bucking LSU coach Les Miles’ play call. 
Mettenberger said he was actually protecting his teammate while respecting the play call, pulling down the ball where he would have thrown in a regular situation. The play demonstrated his knowledge of the scenario, his ability to think on the run and his defining assuredness in his skills, he said.
“I feel like I have a very good football mind,” Mettenberger said. “I may not be able to do arithmetic or stuff like that, but I can go out there and digest the X’s and O’s of the offense and defense really easily.” 
After the initial practices of the spring, junior linebacker Kevin Minter said he can tell Mettenberger has been breaking down tape in the film room. 
“He’s making reads I’ve never seen him make before,” Minter said. “He’s improved all around, and I’m really excited about how this season’s going to end up.”
Mettenberger said he knows he has the tools. Now, it seems he knows what it takes to step up as the singular head of an offense that has previously been divided in its leadership. 
“I know he’s ready to step up in his role,” Beckham said. “He’s got an arm. He can throw the ball around, and I think we’re going to have a good year.” 
 
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Contact Alex Cassara at [email protected].