One of the primary concerns for the 2018 signing class was LSU coach Ed Orgeron and his staff to sign a quarterback, but unfortunately, the Tigers didn’t get one. Now, the focus will shift to the three returning quarterbacks, and possibly a walk-on.
With Danny Etling gone, LSU needs to find his replacement.
In the 2017 season, Etling completed 60 percent of his passes for 2,234 yards, with 14 touchdowns and two interceptions. Etling also rushed for 275 yards along with two rushing touchdowns.
Etling finished his career with 4,586 passing yards, good for seventh all-time in LSU history. While he was often criticized for his reluctance to make throws in tight windows, Etling did a good job of not making unforced errors, showed great toughness after taking some hard shots, and as Orgeron once put it so eloquently: “He’s a winner.”
There are currently four quarterbacks on LSU’s roster; sophomore Myles Brennan, sophomore Lowell Narcisse, junior Justin McMillan, and incoming freshman walk-on Jordan Loving. Of those listed, Brennan has the most playing time.
Brennan did not necessarily play a significant amount in the 2017 season as he only attempted 24 passes, but his name was brought up throughout the season as possibly taking over the starting quarterback position.
Throughout the first four to five games, Orgeron gave Brennan spot drives to give him experience, and thus fans and pundits alike started the conversation about whether or not Brennan should start over Etling. Those rumblings never came to fruition, and once SEC play began, Etling was the unquestioned starter.
Now that Etling is gone, many consider Brennan to be the front runner for the starting gig. Brennan was one of the top pocket passer quarterbacks in the class of 2017, and while his playing time was limited, his arm talent was evident in the throws he did make.
With that being said, he did throw two interceptions in just 24 attempts, but that is to be expected from a inexperienced freshmen.
Amid questions and rumors regarding his status with the LSU program, Narcisse is still currently on the Tigers roster, and with the recent comments made by new offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger, it seems possible that LSU could return to a two-quarterback system, similar to the Jordan Jefferson/Jarrett Lee combination in 2011.
If Ensminger were to implement this system, Narcisse would certainly be in high consideration for the other quarterback opposite Brennan, as each quarterback in the two-quarterback system typically have different skill sets.
Narcisse is a dual-threat style quarterback, and was one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the class of 2017. If Ensminger decides not to use that system, expect Narcisse to still be a possible starting candidate for the starting role. However, if it becomes evident that Brennan will be the starter, Narcisse may decide to pack his bags and transfer to another program.
In not so different of a situation, McMillan will certainly have a shot at being one of the quarterbacks in a two-quarterback system. According to McMillan, however—who was considered by most recruiting outlets a dual-threat QB coming out of highschool—he is not a dual-threat QB, but rather a pocket passer.
McMillan posted a tweet stating, “Anybody that knows me knows I’m not a dual-threat lol. I throw the ball.”
So, McMillan clearly does not see himself as a dual-threat quarterback, which could actually hurt his chances of gaining playing time in the 2018 season. If McMillan does not get sufficient playing time in 2018, he will likely transfer to another program.
There is one player that did not make too many headlines in the Tigers’ class of 2018.
Loving is a pocket-passer prospect who went to Riverside Academy in Louisiana, and while he was not highly recruited, played very well in his years as the starting QB at Riverside.
“He’s got some mobility skills,” football scout and analyst Mike Detillier said in an interview for After Further Review, a radio show on 104.5 ESPN. “He’s got a rocket for an arm. He’s very accurate with his throws. Fundamentally, a very sound quarterback.”
Loving may not challenge for the starting role in his first year, but it’s certainly not out of the question that he could have a chance if either McMillan or Narcisse transfer.
As has been typical of the Tigers in recent memory, quarterback play will remain an uncertainty unless Brennan, Narcisse, McMillan, or even Loving can break the trend of LSU being known as a team that has it all, except for a quarterback.