Brandon Harris turned some heads earlier this winter when he announced he intended to stay at LSU for his senior season. Now, just weeks later, he announced via Twitter he intends to transfer out of the program and has been given full release from Coach Ed Orgeron.
Statement regarding my future. pic.twitter.com/xNa3MkPXcw
— Brandon Harris (@B6Harris) February 13, 2017
Harris endured a fairly tumultuous career in his three seasons in Baton Rouge. He was thrown into the fire on the plains against Auburn for his first ever start, where he absolutely imploded and scarcely saw a snap again that season. 2015 looked like a year of rebirth, as he fought back to earn the starting position and played unevenly, especially struggling down the stretch, while dealing with a groin injury. Though his play was inconsistent, there were signs of a young QB turning the corner that gave many LSU fans hope he would take the next step in 2016. After struggling in one and a half games, he ceded the starting role to Danny Etling and never earned it back.
Throughout this all, Harris has been an upstanding representative of LSU, never complaining and remaining supportive of his teammates. When Harris noted he intended to stay at LSU this season, it seemed as if a fresh start under new OC Matt Canada may be just what the doctor ordered. Instead, just two weeks removed from National Signing Day, Harris is announcing his departure.
Things never really clicked for Harris at LSU. I’d say equal blame is shared between parties here. LSU threw Harris into the fire before he was ready and didn’t do a great job of developing him or playing to his strengths under Cam Cameron. Harris never seemed to clear the mental hurdles needed to be a starting QB in the SEC. His decision making remained poor and he seemed to cave under mounting pressure. He never seemed to fully progress before eventually losing the job to a lesser talented but better decision maker.
A fresh start may be best in order for Harris, who has been given a full release by Ed Orgeron. The full release tells me a couple of things. Firstly, the new coach felt he needed to do right by a player he didn’t recruit and has been nothing but a quality representative of LSU. Secondly, he likely doesn’t feel threatened by the potential of Harris winding up at a conference or even division rival.
Where Harris winds up should be interesting. Auburn was his runner up during the recruiting process, but with Sean White returning and Jarrett Stidham arriving on campus, that doesn’t seem like a likely landing spot. Texas A&M needs a new QB, but I’m not sure if that’s a fit. They did do a solid job with also limited thrower in Trevor Knight.
Regardless, we wish Brandon the best of luck. It’s unfortunate things didn’t work out the way we all hoped at LSU, but I hope wherever he lands unlocks his immense potential and salvages his once promising football career.