Tag: colin hurley

Where does LSU’s quarterback room rank nationally entering 2024?

LSU is losing a Heisman-winner at quarterback, but Garrett Nussmeier seems ready to take the mantle.

LSU enters the 2024 season — the third under coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] — with quite a few questions.

However, one of the most pressing has to do with the game’s most important position. Heisman-winning quarterback [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] is out, and [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] is set to take over the starting job after seeing sporadic action in his first three seasons.

In addition to Nussmeier, the Tigers have Vanderbilt transfer [autotag]AJ Swann[/autotag], redshirt freshman former four-star recruit [autotag]Rickie Collins[/autotag] and [autotag]Colin Hurley[/autotag], a true freshman early enrollee who reclassified from 2025 to 2024.

While that group isn’t the most experienced in the country, it does feature quite a bit of talent. In his rankings of college football quarterback rooms in 2024, On3’s Jesse Simonton slotted the Tigers eighth.

LSU lost Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, but the Tigers have kept Garrett Nussmeier around for a reason and the country will see why this fall. Just in case, Brian Kelly added some interesting insurance to the QB room as well, grabbing Vandy transfer AJ Swann (27 touchdowns, nine picks in his career).

Replacing a player of Daniels’ caliber won’t be easy, but it’s hard to see quarterback as a major concern despite the fact that it will likely be rolling with a signal-caller who has made just one career start, which came in the ReliaQuest Bowl at the end of the 2023 season.

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Who was the most important player in LSU’s 2024 signing class?

The Tigers addressed the secondary on early signing day after struggles in 2023.

The 2024 early signing period is in the books, and while LSU may not be completely done adding players, all 28 committed players have signed their national letters of intent.

It’s not an elite class, but it’s certainly a very solid one that ranks either just inside or outside of the top 10, depending on the recruiting service. It addressed several key areas of need, including the secondary, which struggled quite a bit in 2023.

The headliner in that group was four-star safety [autotag]Dashawn McBryde[/autotag], who ESPN listed as the most important addition in the 2024 signing class. McBryde is the No. 2-ranked player in LSU’s class behind tight end [autotag]Trey’Dez Green[/autotag].

The Tigers have been looking for help in the secondary the past two seasons, and while they have added some playmakers in the portal, including Texas A&M safety Jardin Gilbert, McBryde is still a valuable addition. LSU ranked 104 among all FBS teams in passing yards allowed per game this past season, giving up 245.4 yards through the air. McBryde will give the coaches long-term help in fixing that problem, whether it’s this coming season or the next.

The Tigers’ class was also headlined by four-star quarterback [autotag]Colin Hurley[/autotag] and four-star offensive tackle [autotag]Weston Davis[/autotag].

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LSU officially announces three transfers additions

LSU officially announced the addition of three transfers to the team for the 2024 season on Friday.

LSU Football just officially announced the addition of three transfers to the team for the 2024 season. The Tigers announced the addition of [autotag]Jardin Gilbert[/autotag], a safety from Texas A&M, [autotag]AJ Swann[/autotag], a quarterback from Vanderbilt and [autotag]Zavion Thomas[/autotag], a wide receiver from Mississippi State.

Gilbert played in 25 games over three years for the Aggies as he made 79 tackles, two tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks and two interceptions. Gilbert is from White Castle, Louisiana, so he is returning to the boot to play his final year of college football.

Swann played in 15 games for the Vanderbilt Commodores and threw for 2,731 yards. 22 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Swann will bring a lot of experience to a talented quarterback room. He will join [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag], [autotag]Rickie Collins[/autotag] and [autotag]Colin Hurley[/autotag] in pursuit of the starting quarterback job.

Thomas is another Louisiana man who had left the state to play at another SEC school but he is now returning home. In 22 games, Thomas caught 42 passes for 507 yards and one touchdown. He made plays on special teams as well as he returned 10 kickoffs for 297 yards and a touchdown and 29 punts for 365 yards and a touchdown.

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Where LSU’s 2024 recruiting class ranks as the early signing day dust settles

The Tigers currently sit just outside the top 10, but that could still change in the coming days and weeks.

Early signing day has surpassed the regular date in February in prominence over the last few years.

The vast majority of players sign early — as was the case for LSU this season — and the 2024 iteration was filled with quite a bit of drama around the country.

Luckily for the Tigers, not much of that pertained to them. They ultimately signed all 27 players who entered the day committed to them as coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] has mostly put a bow on this cycle.

The class currently ranks just outside the top 10, though the situation is still fluid. A few targets remain unsigned including four-star offensive lineman [autotag]Coen Echols[/autotag], who commits Friday, and five-star defensive lineman [autotag]Dominick McKinley[/autotag], who is currently committed to Texas A&M but will sign in February.

Still, the Tigers inked a solid class headlined by top-100 prospects in tight end [autotag]Tre’Dez Green[/autotag] and safety [autotag]Dashawn McBryde[/autotag], as well as blue-chip quarterback [autotag]Colin Hurley[/autotag]. Here’s where it stands in the national rankings after early signing day, per the 247Sports Composite.

LSU QB commit shows out during U.S. Army Bowl

Here is a reminder that the Tigers are adding a quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class from high school, as well.

With all the talk about LSU’s quarterback room with the addition of [autotag]AJ Swann[/autotag] from the transfer portal, here is a reminder that the Tigers are adding a quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class from high school as well.

[autotag]Colin Hurley[/autotag] is a 6-foot, 213-pound, four-star quarterback from Jacksonville, Florida, where he plays for Trinity Christian Academy. Hurley led the Conquerors to a 9-4 record and a loss to Clearwater Central Catholic in the third round of the playoffs.

Hurley played as a quarterback on the Black team in the U.S. Army bowl last night and he had an incredible game. I do not have any official stats, but the videos below are proof of the multiple touchdown passes he threw against the Gold team.

Hurley was previously a member of the 2025 recruiting class until he re-classified to 2024 and committed to LSU. He is expected to sign with the Tigers on early signing day and be on campus next month.

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BREAKING: LSU lands a quarterback in the transfer portal

Garrett Nussmeier will have some new competition in the quarterback room in 2024.

[autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] will have some new competition in the quarterback room in 2024.

With [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] leaving Baton Rouge for the NFL, there is an opening at the quarterback spot for LSU. Nusmeier is presumed to be the next man in line for the spot but things may have just changed.

LSU landed former Vanderbilt quarterback [autotag]AJ Swann[/autotag] from the transfer portal on Monday. Swann is a sophomore from White, Georgia, where he played for Cherokee High School. Swann has appeared in 15 games over the past two seasons. He made 12 starts for the Commodores and threw for 2,731 yards, 22 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.

His career completion percentage is 56% but take those numbers with a grain of salt given his team and the caliber of competition.

Going from the worst team in the SEC year-after-year to one of the best teams in the SEC could elevate his game, but he will have to beat out Nussmeier, [autotag]Rickie Collins[/autotag] and incoming four-star 2024 recruit [autotag]Colin Hurley[/autotag] for the starting job.

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LSU QB coach Joe Sloan named to 247Sports All-Assistant Team

Jayden Daniels took a massive leap in his second season under Joe Sloan’s tutelage.

This fall, LSU turned in an offensive season so prolific that it rivaled the 2019 unit led by [autotag]Joe Burrow[/autotag]. For that, offensive coordinator [autotag]Mike Denbrock[/autotag] was named a finalist for the Broyles Award.

But he’s not the only offensive assistant for the Tigers that’s drawing some postseason recognition. After his work with [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] — who transferred in from Arizona State and won the Heisman Trophy in 2023 — the last two seasons, quarterbacks coach [autotag]Joe Sloan[/autotag] was named to the 247Sports All-Assistant Team.

Sloan has deep ties to the state having spent the nine seasons on staff at Louisiana Tech in various roles before joining LSU, most recently as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Here’s what 247Sports said about Sloan.

You know you’re having a good year when your quarterback wins the Heisman Trophy. Sloan took a great quarterback and developed Jayden Daniels into an elite player over the last two seasons.

The results this fall were jaw-dropping. The second-year transfer from Arizona State transfer threw 40 touchdowns against only four interceptions, and he rushed for 1,134 yards, the best mark by a quarterback. His efforts combined for 4,946 yards and 50 touchdowns — and he led the nation with an FBS-record 11.7 yards per pass attempt.

LSU had the nation’s fourth-best passing offense at 334.3 yards per game and no team averaged more yards through the air than the Tigers (11 yards per attempt) thanks to the efforts of Daniels.

After a solid first season in Baton Rouge, Daniels took a massive leap in Year 2 under Sloan’s tutelage. With Daniels heading to the NFL, potentially as a top-10 draft pick, Sloan’s stock is likely only to rise.

The Tigers don’t necessarily have a clear starter in 2024. [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] is the most game-tested passer on the roster, but he’s yet to start a game. [autotag]Rickie Collins[/autotag] only saw minimal action this fall in a redshirt year as a true freshman, and incoming quarterback [autotag]Colin Hurley[/autotag] likely won’t be ready to start in the SEC after reclassifying from the 2025 class.

LSU is likely to add a transfer quarterback and is currently pursuing several targets. Regardless of how the depth chart ultimately breaks down, it’s hard not to trust the coach leading the quarterback room at the moment if you’re an LSU fan.

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LSU visits NC State transfer quarterback MJ Morris

Quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan reportedly made the trip to Raleigh on Wednesday night to meet with the transfer target.

While LSU seems to be confident in backup quarterback [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] taking over the starting role for [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] in 2024, the Tigers are looking at an inexperienced depth chart at the position next season.

Coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] has not ruled out the team adding a transfer quarterback this offseason, and it seems the primary target is former NC State player [autotag]MJ Morris[/autotag].

The Tigers had reportedly already been in contact with Morris, and on Wednesday night, quarterbacks coach [autotag]Joe Sloan[/autotag] made the trip up to Raleigh to visit Morris at his apartment, according to a report from On3’s Pete Nakos.

Morris has appeared in nine games in two seasons for the Wolfpack, throwing for 1,367 yards, 14 touchdowns and six interceptions. He started at NC State this season, but after playing in four games, he opted to sit the rest of the year and preserve his redshirt season.

He will have three remaining years of eligibility.

As things currently stand, LSU’s quarterback room in 2024 comprises of Nussmeier — who has appeared in 17 games while attempting 174 passes in three seasons but has never made a start — as well as redshirt freshman [autotag]Rickie Collins[/autotag] and 2024 commit [autotag]Colin Hurley[/autotag], who is likely heading for a redshirt season as a true freshman after reclassifying from 2025.

While Nussmeier is likely to get his chance to lead this team after staying at LSU through Daniels’ tenure, it’s not surprising that LSU is looking to add another player with experience at the position.

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Brian Kelly not ruling out adding a transfer portal quarterback at LSU this offseason

While Garrett Nussmeier is likely to return, LSU could seek out a more experienced option in the transfer portal.

With star [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] set to move on following the 2023 season, LSU has a quarterback situation to figure out in 2024.

It will likely return [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag], who has some experience and will be a redshirt junior, as well as redshirt freshman [autotag]Rickie Collins[/autotag] and incoming true freshman [autotag]Colin Hurley[/autotag].

While that group has talent, it does lack experience. There’s been some speculation LSU could look at adding a transfer quarterback, and it has reportedly been in contact with at least one in former NC State signal-caller [autotag]MJ Morris[/autotag].

When addressing the media on Tuesday, coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] didn’t rule out the possibility.

“This is a world that we live in that has to be handled with transparency,” Kelly said. “If not, you’re going to find yourself without the right personnel. So if we were to ever do anything in the transfer portal relative to a quarterback, we’re talking to everybody in that room. We’re talking to recruits, we’re talking to everybody. It is about transparency, it’s about honesty and it’s about saying if we’re doing that, here’s why we’re doing it. And then making a decision and doing it.

“The most important thing here is what’s in the best interest of LSU’s football program. Not what’s in the best interest of a singular person. So everything we do in the portal is going to be to that end… This is not personal.”

Nussmeier could have certainly transferred last offseason with the opportunity to start, so his decision to stay at LSU is likely playing a factor in that decision. Still, the Tigers would enter 2024 with quite a few questions at the game’s most important position if they don’t seek out an experienced portal option.

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Should LSU add a transfer quarterback in 2024?

Should LSU look at adding another QB in the transfer portal?

It’s that time of year again.

Soon, the transfer season will be in full-swing as the college football regular season winds down and the postseason begins.

As usual, the portal is set to be overflowing with quarterbacks. The nature of the position means you only have room to play one, making opportunities scarce for some quarterbacks.

LSU’s had success with transfer QBs in recent years. Between [autotag]Joe Burrow[/autotag] and [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag], LSU’s found two all-time great QBs through transfers.

Throw [autotag]Zach Mettenberger[/autotag] and [autotag]Danny Etling[/autotag] in there, and LSU’s four most productive QBs in the last 15 years were all transfers.

It’s been a while since LSU’s found sustained success with a QB recruited from high school, but there’s plenty of optimism surrounding [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] next year.

That begs the question: Should LSU look in the portal?

Nussmeier’s shown flashes, but a first-year starter is a first-year starter. You don’t know what you have until you see it.

LSU was set to enter 2022 with a couple of talented options at the QB spot, and that didn’t stop this staff from recruiting Daniels.

This situation is different, obviously. [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag], [autotag]Mike Denbrock[/autotag] and [autotag]Joe Sloan[/autotag] have worked with Nussmeier for two years now. They know a lot more about him than they did about the available options when they first got here.

The assumption is that Nussmeier will coast to QB1 next year. He’s waited three years for this, electing not to transfer when he surely had options out there.

That could make it difficult to land a proven QB when there are schools out there that can promise a starting job. LSU would likely struggle to land a big name, such as Grayson McCall or DJ Uiagalelei.

But LSU could use another veteran signal-caller on this roster. After Nussmeier, it’s [autotag]Rickie Collins[/autotag] with 2024 commit [autotag]Colin Hurley[/autotag] set to arrive too.

Hurley, who already reclassified a sign a year earlier, won’t be ready to play QB in the SEC next year, and LSU has no idea what it has in Collins yet.

If the Tigers can find a veteran with some experience, but with two to three years of eligibility remaining, Kelly and staff should pursue.

That allows LSU to land a guy that doesn’t need to start right away in 2024 but can push Nussmeier or be an option in 2025.

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