Today Les Miles is answering what is probably the most anticipated question of the preseason — who will be the Tigers’ starting quarterback?
Whether Miles is deciding today or just announcing it, three quarterbacks are anxious to see what their hard work this preseason has earned them. JaMarcus Russell has the most experience at starting and the most snaps during fall camp, Ryan Perrilloux was the nation’s No. 1 recruited quarterback, but Matt Flynn still continues to compete for the position he has known and played all his life.
“I think they are very similar in a lot of ways,” said Jimbo Fisher, offensive coordinator. “They are all very good quarterbacks — they can throw the ball, they can run and they can make good decisions. They might have few things where one runs a second faster or the other throws the ball five yards longer, but I don’t think there a whole heck of a lot different in a lot of ways. We got a great group and whoever starts at that position should be very good.”
Flynn competed for the starting quarterback position with Russel last seasonl. Before the start of the 2005 season, Flynn has found himself with more competition from highly-recruited Ryan Perrilloux.
“Growing up, my quarterback coach was my father. I call him every day and talk to him about it all. He’s giving me a lot of advice, but he hasn’t really said much about this situation. I have to prepare myself to be ready for whatever the coach calls,” Flynn said. “I’m ready to go. I just do whatever I can at practice everyday to get better.”
As a redshirt freshman, Flynn participated in all 12 games last season at place holder, but only played at quarterback in three games. He has yet to start for the Tigers, which is a big transition from his days at Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler, Texas, where he was ranked No. 20 nationwide his senior year after competing 124 of 206 passes for 1,679 yards and 9 touchdowns.
“When you come in, you kind of see all these guys who are tremendous athletes,” Flynn said. “In high school you don’t see that many good athletes. I think I am going to have to work at it every day at practice and get better each day. I can’t make the same mistakes twice that I made the day before.”
Flynn is not the only player who has had to wait.
Senior receiver Bennie Brazell is listed as a wide receiver, but spends most of his time on special teams. As a senior, five underclassmen receivers have played more than Brazell at receiver.
Brazell’s high school career was similar to his college experience in track, which was his strongest sport. In high school, Brazell won several state awards including First-Team 5A All-State in Texas.
“It’s worked out just like I thought it would,” Brazell said. “I knew something was going to have to give. So far, track is really the thing that has broke out mostly. My role [in football] is to help out with whatever I can do. I’m an older guy now so when the younger guys need help I just help them. I don’t get down on things like that. You can’t change things. You just have to worry about getting better.”
A veteran to backup roles and moving around the offensive line is senior Rudy Niswanger. As an underclassman, Niswanger saw limited time on the line filling in for an injured Ben Wilkerson as a redshirt freshman and an injured Nate Livings in his sophomore season. After bouncing back and forth on the line, Niswanger found a permanent position late last season at center that was promising enough for Niswanger to put off medical school to finish his football career on the offensive line. Niswanger is listed as a center, but after playing all five positions on the line, he has accepted any role the coaches offer.
“You have to come into the situation as open-minded as possible,” Niswanger said. “Particularly on the offensive line, you can’t come in and say ‘I’m a left tackle — that’s all I am.’ Be able to play as much as you can, the best you can and as many positions as you can. If you can do that, the more valuable you are to your team. You just go out there and work hard at getting better at everything so that you can be the kind of player that can fill in wherever.”
Four position battles settled
Four more starters were announced on Monday. Redshirt freshman Brett Helms beat sophomore Will Arnold at the left guard position. At the right-side cornerback, sophomore Chevis Jackson will start over senior Mario Stevenson. Sophomore Patrick Fisher and junior Chris Jackson are LSU’s punter and place-kicker, respectively.
Contact Tabby Soignier at [email protected]