College Football: What Impact Will Zach Mettenberger Have for LSU in 2011?

The year was 2009, and Zach Mettenberger was one of the elite quarterback prospects in the country. He had it all, and was headed to Athens, Georgia to be a Bulldog.

No guarantees were made, but Mettenberger was told he would get a chance to battle another incoming signal caller, stud Aaron Murray, for the starting job after a redshirt year.

Mettenberger quickly ran into off-field and alcohol-related issues, but was forgiven by Bulldog coaches. Shortly after the spring game going into his redshirt freshman year, Mettenberger had another incident, and Mark Richt dismissed him from the team last April.

He wound up at renowned JC program Butler CC in Kansas, and put his mind to maturing on and off the field. After tossing for nearly 2700 yards with a TD-Int ratio of 32-4, Mettenbrger had many top programs knocking on his door yet again.

After consideration for schools like Texas A&M and Ole Miss, Mettenberger chose to attend LSU. Now he is poised to finally make his mark on the SEC that was supposed to be made at Georgia.

The 6'5", 245-pound gunslinger was such a hot priority for the Tigers, that LSU head coach, Les Miles, personally took it upon himself to recruit him.

Now Tigers' fans, who are among the most passionate and extreme in all of college sports, eagerly await Mettenberger's arrival to the squad. Incumbent Jordan Jefferson has had an up-and-down career at the helm in Baton Rouge, and Miles hired former Louisville head coach, Steve Kragthorpe, as the new offensive chief for the Tigers.

Jefferson, who seemed to play okay down the stretch last season, has not been consistent. I think he lacks the skills to be a consistent efficient passer.

Mettenberger, who is blessed with a cannon for an arm and solid accuracy, may fit better with Kragthorpe. This is why I feel he will make an immediate and big impact for the Tigers in 2011.

We all know this is not a ho-hum season for the Bayou Boys.

While they are an elite program that competes at a high level year in and year out, Miles and Co. are thinking BCS Title this year and will most likely open the season as a Top Five team in many preseason polls.

Loaded with talent at many key positions, plus a top 10 recruiting class coming on to the roster, solid and consistent quarterback play may be what stands between LSU and the crystal football in January 2012.

Mettenberger is a pure pocket passer with the size and height to easily see over the rush. He has a solid presence in the pocket, but his biggest asset is his arm. He pushes the ball downfield with ease and attacks all levels of a defense. He's solid with his accuracy and, while you won't confuse him for Cam Newton, Mettenberger has deceptive running ability.

I view him as a superior player, talent and prospect over Jefferson, which is why I will be surprised if he doesn't win the starting job by opening day. Mettenberger was the top JC QB prospect in the country during the 2011 recruiting cycle. He is not coming to Baton Rouge just to eat gumbo and hold a clipboard.

The year is 2011, and Zach Mettenberger is the top JC quarterback prospect in the country.

He has it all and is headed to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to be a Tiger. No guarantees have been made, but Mettenberger has been told he will get a chance to battle Jordan Jefferson for the starting job.

I think he will win the job and make a big impact in 2011 for LSU.