LSU Football: Meet the Sleeper Pick to Replace Zach Mettenberger at QB

LSU spring practice headlines will be dominated by the quarterback battle. Anthony Jennings, Hayden Rettig and Brandon Harris will fight to be the replacement for Zach Mettenberger.

Jennings will be the front-runner after earning a start last season. Rettig will be his backup this spring with a year of Cam Cameron's system under his belt. Harris, an eager early enrollee, will be the most talked about player this spring.   

One of those three will likely be the starting quarterback next fall. Jennings is the odds-on favorite to win the job. Though do not discount Harris just because he is a freshman.

But Harris is not the only new quarterback named Brandon coming to Baton Rouge.

Transfer walk-on Brandon Bergeron is the darkhorse candidate to win the job. Bergeron is the only LSU quarterback other than Jennings to take a college snap last season. 

Bergeron played at Highland Community College last season, completing 71 percent of his passes for 2,978 yards and 22 touchdowns. He was a prep standout at St. Thomas Moore in Lafayette, La. the year before. 

Bergeron chose to walk on at LSU. He has an arduous road ahead if he wants to win the starting job, much less move up the depth chart.

The 6'2'' signal-caller has adequate arm strength and is accurate on intermediate throws. The best aspect of his game is pocket presence. Despite not being dangerous with his legs, he can evade rushers and is not afraid to take a hit. His ability to climb the pocket is reminiscent of Andrew Luck and Drew Brees.

Bergeron's arm strength does limit some of his throws. He does not have the elite zip to fit tough passes in tight windows. His accuracy masked some of his deficiencies, but that could change when the speed of play increases.

It is hard to see Bergeron, who will be a sophomore this season, moving up the depth chart anytime soon. He will, at best, start spring as the fourth-stringer.

Bergeron first needs to worry about beating the other quarterbacks on the roster who have been in Baton Rouge. 

Brad Kragthorpe, son of LSU football administrator Steve Kragthorpe, and Jake Clise return, but they look to be clipboard-holders for the rest of their careers. 

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sport

Senior Rob Bolden has starting experience. Bolden, a Penn State transfer, has yet to see the field since joining the Tigers in 2012. The former Nittany Lion does have some admirable skills, but he does not seem to be a threat for the starter's role.

LSU will have seven quarterbacks on its roster this spring. It could easily have eight if Stephen Rivers did not transfer. Bergeron is right in the middle of the pack.

Jennings, Rettig and Harris will lead the way, but there are no certainties. Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron is looking for anybody who can play the game's most important position.

Bergeron will probably not win the job. But he is certainly a sleeper who will get the chance to show off his skills this spring. 

Follow me on Twitter @CarterthePower.