Brandon Harris transferring: Former LSU starting QB says he’s free to go anywhere

On Monday afternoon, LSU quarterback Brandon Harris announced that he would be transferring from the school after three seasons. Harris, a junior who said he’s on track to graduate this May, played in 23 games during his Tiger career, with most of them coming during his freshman and sophomore seasons. Harris announced the news via his Twitter account:

“After consulting with Coach O and family, I’ve decide[d] the best decision for me and my future is to transfer away from LSU. Coach O has given me a FULL release, and I look forward to finishing school and graduating and finding the best place to further my education & playing career next season.”

The news is a little bit of a surprise, given the quarterback said after the Tigers’ Citrus Bowl victory over Louisville that he planned to stay with the team in 2017. But even And The Valley Shook was doubtful he could actually beat out Danny Etling, the Tigers’ quarterback last season from Week 2 on.

I’d be very surprised if he were able to overtake Etling. Harris has, by far, the stronger arm of the two, and better foot speed, but he never showed Etling’s ability to get through progressions, or poise in the pocket. Etling was even a smarter scrambler, and better at evading pass-rushers through open doors in the pocket. Still, if there’s one thing LSU can always use more of, its experienced quarterbacks, and here’s definitely wishing Harris best of luck in the coming competition and any future projects. He handled the entire situation this fall with complete class, and I would expect that to continue.

Last season went less than ideally for Harris. The Tigers opened the season with him as their starter, but a lackluster performance in the loss to Wisconsin, and a poor start in the following game against Jacksonville State prompted then-head coach Les Miles to put Etling, a Purdue transfer, in the game. Etling’s performance won him the job for the rest of the season, and Harris didn’t play another down all season. Etling still has one season of eligibility left, too. Quarterbacks Lindsey Scott Jr. and Justin McMillan are already in the mix for the future, as well.

Harris fitting at LSU looked like it could be a little more of a possibility with the hiring of offensive coordinator Matt Canada, who has coached the likes of Pitt’s Nathan Peterman, and NC State and now backup New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett. But the position got a little crowded with Ed Orgeron’s 2017 recruiting class, which featured four-star quarterback and early enrollee Lowell Narcisse, as well as the nation’s No. 6 pro-style quarterback, Myles Brennan.

Harris says Coach O has given him a full release, so we’ll have to see just where the former four-star quarterback ends up. Harris threw for 2,610 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 2014 and 2015. If he does in fact graduate in May, he’ll be considered a graduate transfer and will be eligible next season wherever he ends up.