Editor’s Note: This is the first in an eight-part series previewing each position heading into 2012.
The loss of two veteran quarterbacks would be met by most teams with dread and uncertainty. But for LSU, the performance of junior starting quarterback Zach Mettenberger thus far in practice has fans and coaches feeling enthusiastic and confident.
“We are excited about what [Mettenberger] is doing and the leadership by taking over this team since last year,” said offensive coordinator Greg Studrawa. “He has looked forward to this opportunity and done many things during the offseason to make this team better.”
Mettenberger’s emergence as starter marks the end of a four-year, controversy-laden saga involving former LSU quarterbacks Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson. Mettenberger said he used the situation as a guide for handling adversity, but he believes becoming the clear-cut starter can help the Tigers this season.
“[My teammates] don’t have to worry about who is going to be in the next series,” Mettenberger said. “Just having one definitive starter is going to be really big for this team.”
The recent addition of junior Penn State transfer Rob Bolden means that Mettenberger is no longer the Tigers’ lone veteran at the quarterback position.
The dual-threat Bolden brings not only talent and athleticism to the position, but also experience. While playing for the Nittany Lions, Bolden started in 16 games, becoming the first true freshman starting quarterback at the school in 100 years.
Despite his early achievements and potential, Bolden’s career at Penn State was not perfect. Although he had a strong start his freshman year, a concussion kept him from playing the second half of the season. He struggled to come back in 2011, completing only 39.3 percent of his passes and a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 2 to 7. He lost his starting position and eventually fell to the third spot on the depth chart.
Bolden remained optimistic in Media Day interviews. While he acknowledged he has plenty to learn about LSU’s offense, he said he’s confident he will adapt quickly and become a significant contributor to the team’s success.
“The faster that I pick these things up and display what I have learned, the faster I’ll be on the field,” Bolden said. “I want to be competitive, and I want to play. Every day I am going to work to get better and hopefully end up with the starting job someday.”
Perhaps the player most affected by Bolden’s transfer is quarterback redshirt freshman Stephen Rivers, who, prior to Bolden’s arrival, was the clear favorite to take the second spot on the depth chart. But rather than viewing Bolden as a threat, the 6-foot-8-inch Rivers is looking forward to working with and competing against his new teammate.
“The more competition you have the better,” Rivers said. “I’m using [Bolden] as somebody I can learn from and also somebody I can compete with.”
Rounding out the roster for the Tigers are redshirt freshman Jerrard Randall and Idaho State transfer Brad Kragthorpe, son of LSU quarterbacks coach Steve Kragthorpe.
