TJ Finley: A Look at His LSU Career
Background and Early Life
TJ Finley is a highly touted quarterback who began his college career at Louisiana State University (LSU) in 2020. Before his time at LSU, Finley was a star quarterback at Ponchatoula High School in Louisiana, where he showcased his dual-threat ability. He was regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in his class, and his size (6’6″, 242 lbs) and arm strength were key attributes that caught the attention of LSU’s coaching staff.
Freshman Year at LSU (2020)
Finley’s time at LSU began in a season full of turmoil. LSU was coming off a National Championship win in 2019 but faced significant turnover in both players and coaches. The team struggled through a 5-5 season, and early on, Finley was thrust into the spotlight when starting quarterback Myles Brennan was injured. Finley played in four games during his freshman year, including a memorable start against South Carolina.
- Performance Against South Carolina: In his first start, Finley threw for 265 yards and two touchdowns, leading LSU to a 52-24 victory. He showed promise with his arm strength and composure, though there were still signs of inexperience.
- Struggles: Despite his promising start, Finley’s performances over the remainder of the season were inconsistent. He was benched in favor of fellow freshman Max Johnson after a few difficult games, and this marked the end of his time as LSU’s starting quarterback.
Transfer to Auburn
After the 2020 season, Finley decided to transfer from LSU, citing a desire for more playing time and a fresh start. In 2021, he transferred to Auburn University to continue his college football career. At Auburn, Finley faced competition for the starting quarterback role, and his time at LSU was ultimately short-lived.
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