If LSU's QB Race Is Too Close to Call, That's Good for Brandon Harris
It seems like spring practices just started, but at LSU, it's already in the home stretch.
The Tigers will play their annual spring game this Saturday at 2 p.m. ET at Tiger Stadium, and one of the dominant questions this spring in Baton Rouge is still very much unresolved.
Who's going to play quarterback?
True sophomore Anthony Jennings and true freshman early enrollee Brandon Harris each took snaps with the No. 1 offense during Saturday's scrimmage that saw the Tigers as a team throw for 295 yards, according to stats released by LSU.
Following the scrimmage, head coach Les Miles was complimentary of his two young quarterbacks.
“Both quarterbacks threw the ball better and made improvement,” Miles said in a release from LSU. “I think it continues to be a very competitive situation. I think both quarterbacks show skill and there are opportunities to change things and improve. I think that is what both quarterbacks are working to do.”
Smoke screen, or is the battle really this close?
With Miles playing things close to the vest—or hat, it's hard to tell. But if it is close between the two dual-threat quarterbacks with one week to go before the spring game, that's good news for Harris.
Jennings doesn't have significant experience as a starter, but he has a full year in the system after enrolling early last year. He should have a decent grasp of what offensive coordinator Cam Cameron wants to do with his offense.
Harris shouldn't.
His first practice as a college quarterback should be spent trying to keep from becoming dizzy with a new playbook and a faster game around him.
If the competition is as close as it appears, Harris has picked up on the college game in a hurry, Jennings is struggling to take the next step or Cameron is still tweaking how his scheme will work with a dual-threat quarterback. Whatever the reason is, it's good for Harris.
It shouldn't come as a surprise that Harris is contending for the job.
One look at his high school tape from Parkway High School in Bossier City, La. will show you what he's capable of. He has a big arm, tremendous legs and keeps his eyes downfield even when things break down behind the line of scrimmage.
He has everything it takes to be a starter in the SEC—he just has to adjust.
The LSU quarterback mystery has been kept under wraps for the majority of spring practice. If Harris is as close after the spring game as he appears to be heading into the spring game, don't be surprised if he's the one taking the snaps for the Tigers in the season opener on Aug. 30 vs. Wisconsin in Houston.
* Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer for Bleacher Report. All recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports.
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