LSU Spring Football 2019: Quarterbacks

LSU brought in Joe Burrow to provide an answer to the same old quarterback question that we’ve all become used to in recent years. And now we head into his senior year with him established at the job and looking to see if, with his help, the offense can take the step forward everyone wants to see.

What’s Good?

Burrow only arrived to Baton Rouge last June, but in less than a calendar year he has certainly endeared himself to both his fellow Tigers and fans. He may never be an all-conference type of playmaker, but he’s proven that he can at least provide a baseline of quarterbacking competency as a game-manager type.

He has all the “coach’s kid” cliches. Smart, heady player who generally makes good decisions and isn’t careless with the football. On top of that, he plays with an edge and showed that he was willing to fight through mistakes, and take a beating, in the marathon Texas A&M game and the Fiesta Bowl. He may not have an NFL type of arm, but he proved he can make most of throws required — and really improved over the course of the 2018 season — and can also add value as a runner to boot.

And, for the moment, his heir apparent remains on hand in sophomore Myles Brennan. The plan, at least for now, is for Burrow to transition to Brennan and then to whomever is the next guy, be it 2019 recruit Peter Parrish, or a prospect from the 2020 (or beyond).

Of course, whether things go according to plan or not, is something we’re yet to find out until the day comes.

The Bad

Burrow, on his own, wasn’t enough to really lift the LSU offense last season; and while the overall talent surrounding him is on the upswing the question as to just what his, and this offense’s ceiling, is.

And likewise, there’s still questions as to just what Brennan can do. He certainly has the arm, and two years in, has started to add some weight to his slight frame. But is he seriously a future starter, or will LSU be looking for another graduate transfer in a year to try and avoid starting a young player before they are ready.

What is the goal for this unit this spring?

If Burrow stagnates and doesn’t improve at all this offseason, we know that he, at minimum, has a relatively high floor as a quarterback. But what is his ceiling? Or Brennan’s? LSU can’t really answer either question in spring practice, but they can begin that process.