Now in his third year with the team and his third spring practice, LSU junior quarterback Brandon Harris will enter the 2016 season as the incumbent starter, something that hasn’t happened before.
When the Tigers went through a three-game skid in 2015, Harris took it as a learning experience, and he discussed his growth as a player and a quarterback when he spoke to the local media for the first time since Oct. 17 on Tuesday.
“We started off hot, and then, obviously, we took that skid,” Harris said. “Hopefully, that won’t ever happen again. In case it does happen, I know how to handle it, and I know how to approach our guys.”
The gunslinger also steps into this spring more comfortable and confident with the Tigers’ playbook. The Bossier City native has also been able to grow as leader of this LSU team.
“This is [my] third spring,” Harris said. “I’m just trying to continue to hone and improve on my leadership. It’s amazing that you get to take the first-[team] snaps. Guys get to hear that same voice from last season.”
The last time the 6-foot-3 signal caller started a game, he led the Tigers to 638 yards of total offense in a 56-27 blowout victory against Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl. The offensive output the Tigers put up was a program bowl record and sixth most in school history.
Harris attributed the offensive explosion to offensive coordinator Cam Cameron stepping down from the press box to the field to call plays.
Having Cameron on the sideline made a more relaxing game environment for Harris, he said.
“It was a lot comfort,” Harris said. “From communication, to getting to hear his voice, I think you’ll see this upcoming season with him on the sideline, our offense will soar. Just because his voice and him being able to communicate with the quarterbacks, it’s very important.”
The move to the sidelines would have happened sooner for the offensive play caller, but Cameron’s health issues prevented him from making the transition.
The addition of new wide receivers coach Dameyune Craig has helped the chemistry among Harris and his receivers. Craig, a former quarterback at and co-offensive coordinator at Auburn, recruited Harris and has been able to give his pass catchers a different perspective.
Harris had his own injury issues last season. He suffered a hernia injury in a 30-16 loss against Alabama on Nov. 7, according to The Advocate. But Harris said he feels 100 percent now and has been able to participate fully in spring practice.
LSU coach Les Miles has reiterated that quarterback play is going to be a big focus this spring. Something that could help is a strong quarterback competition in the offseason, and Miles said redshirt junior quarterback Danny Etling “has been coming like heck.”
Etling, a transfer from Purdue, will finally be eligible to play this season after sitting out this past year because of NCAA rules. The Terre Haute, Indiana native is from the same hometown and went to the same high school as Cameron, and the two are very familiar with each other.
After spending two seasons with the Boilermakers in the Big Ten, he said he had to adjust to speed of the LSU defense.
Etling spent most his time last season emulating opposing teams quarterbacks on the Tigers’ scout team, but the signal caller is excited to have a chance to play this season.
“It’s finally nice after a year off to get back in the swing of things,” Etling said. “Whatever I can do to help that position play well is what I’m going to do. I’m excited to be here and ready to get better.”
Sitting out a year has given Etling time to study the playbook more, which is something he said he’s comfortable with, and he is now working on improving his footwork.
Harris and Etling brushed off any competition between the two, with both of them praising each other’s work ethic and skill.
But, if there’s one thing they’re both focused on, it’s winning, with Harris noting how hungry he is.
“When we went through our skid last year that was our humble pie,” Harris said. “We’re looking forward to this upcoming season, just showing how we’ve built and the growth me made this offseason.”