Quarterback Ryan Perrilloux has changed his tone since he first came to Baton Rouge. “From my own perspective I think that I’m progressing at a nice pace, and I feel like if [offensive coordinator] Jimbo [Fisher] and them call my number, I’ll be ready,” Perrilloux said. These words are a far cry from what the 19 year old uttered when he first committed to LSU. “LSU is the perfect school for me. I can come in and play next year. JaMarcus [Russell] struggled last year, and Matt Flynn is definitely not a better quarterback than me. It’s just a perfect opportunity,” Perrilloux told USA Today in February 2005. USA Today later changed Perrilloux’s quote with a less brash statement, but the damage had already been done. Perrilloux first let the world know of his talents on the recruiting service Scout.com. “I do it all,” Perrilloux said on the Web site. “I can run and throw. I have a lot of time to throw, and I have a real strong arm. I’m also real fast and the type of QB everyone wants.” At the annual LSU media day, Perrilloux was more subtle. “I can run, but Matt can run,” Perrilloux said. “I can throw, but Matt and Jamarcus can throw.” The 6-foot-2-inch Perrilloux sat quietly in his chair as reporter after reporter bombarded him. He simply responded with “yes sir” and “no sir” to every question regarding his decision to sign with LSU over 2006 National Champion, the University of Texas. As things died down and the television cameras headed toward other players, Perrilloux began to open up. “I thought I was gonna come in and be the big shot on campus,” Perrilloux said. Not only was Perrilloux not a big shot for LSU, he did not take one snap and was redshirted. “At the quarterback position it’s a whole lot harder on you mentally than physically from high school to college,” said junior wide receiver Early Doucet. “You have to learn more. You have to absorb more information in such a short period of time and be able to process that information.” Perrilloux’s athleticism allowed him to run circles around high school defenders, but he now strives to be a pocket passer. “I want to be a pocket guy,” Perrilloux said. “But my running is instinctive. It’s just a talent that I have. From what coach Jimbo and them say and what coach Miles say, I’m doing pretty good.” Doucet, who played quarterback in high school, said the transition from being a star in high school to a freshman in college can be a shock. “As a freshman you go from playing high school ball where you’re bigger, stronger and faster than everybody else, then you get to college where the talent level is equal if not greater,” Doucet said. “It takes a strong mind to get adjusted to not being the best person on the field at all times. It takes a while to get used to that.” Fisher said Perrilloux not only can be a pocket passer but really has been his whole career. “He’s always been a pocket passer,” Fisher said. “He’s always done a good job in the pocket. It’s just that when things broke down he just had the ability in high school to scramble and make plays.” Fisher said Perrilloux has continued and will continue to grow into the Tigers quarterback of the future. “He’s shown tremendous improvement – maturity, knowledge of what’s going on,” Fisher said. “He’s a very intelligent guy. I’m very pleased with his progress, and if we had to play with him and we could structure our gameplan and I think we could be successful. Ryan has a very strong arm and what’s good about him is he grasps so much more every day. He’s eliminating the mistakes he did last year. It’s just fun to watch him develop.” Perrilloux is not receiving the majority of the snaps in fall practice, but he does get repetitions in behind Flynn and Russell. “We’re trying to get them all reps,” Fisher said. “We could be splitting JaMarcus and Matt in the first group, then we get Ryan probably 35 or 40 percent. We’ve been keeping him coming because I think he’s earned that right because of where his development is. The other two have been great with him because it allows them to get a break, give him a little practice.” Doucet said Perrilloux’s growth is noticeable. “I think he’s coming along real well,” Doucet said. “[Perrilloux’s] learning as much as he can. He makes mistakes and that comes with the territory. You make your mistakes and learn from them. He’s grown tremendously, and I think with more time and practice time put in and watching film and studying film he’s gonna be a great player at LSU.” Perrilloux said the competition is great and necessary for any quarterback to succeed. “I think I make them work hard, and they also make me work hard,” Perrilloux said. “Whenever it’s my turn to be the man, I would want somebody behind me to make me work hard.” Perrilloux said he wants his shot with the Tigers eventually. “I do want to start for LSU someday,” Perrilloux said. “In the future, our team is gonna be so good.” When asked what it will be like the first time he starts for LSU, Perrilloux responded eagerly. “I just want to play hard,” Perrilloux said. “The first thing that’s gonna go through my mind is – it’s about time.”