LSU’s quarterback room is getting a bit smaller.
Sophomore quarterback TJ Finley has entered the NCAA transfer portal, according to Garland Gillen of Fox Sports in New Orleans.
The move seemed inevitable, considering that the 6-foot-6, 250-pounder was one of four quarterbacks in a close competition that continues on throughout the offseason.
There’s still no clear starter for LSU at the position, though sophomore signal-caller Max Johnson was taking first-team snaps after finishing the season 2-0 with impressive wins over Florida and Ole Miss.
In 2020, his lone season with the Tigers, Finley completed 57% of his passes for 941 yards with five touchdowns and five interceptions.
Finley has shown flashes of potential greatness in the past, but he finished out the spring game with the worst stat line of the four. He was 10-of-19 passing for 84 yards with two interceptions.
His decision-making has been questionable, and that’s an area he’s definitely going to have to improve in moving forward.
Still, this is a young player still getting his feet under him after playing his first season amidst the adversity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Orgeron spoke to the tightness at the position earlier this spring.
“I hope they’re not uneasy. I hope they’re just very competitive and I’m guessing it causes some nervousness,” Orgeron said. “They know everything’s on the line every practice, everybody’s watching. But I think that’s the only fair way to do it. Now, there will come a time in camp where it’s going to get a little tight and somebody’s probably gonna be unhappy. That’s just the way it is. That’s the quarterback position.”
Finley will be eligible immediately to compete for playing time wherever he chooses to continue his career.