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LSU football is set at quarterback with fifth-year Garrett Nussmeier returning in 2025. If all goes to plan, Nussmeier will be among the sport's top passers and compete for the Heisman trophy and No. 1 overall pick.
After Nussmeier, LSU's quarterback room gets interesting. Michael Van Buren transferred to LSU after starting at Mississippi State in 2024. Along with the arrival of Van Buren, LSU moved Swiss Army Knife Ju'Juan Johnson to quarterback. Johnson was an uber-productive quarterback in high school before moving to defensive back when he arrived at LSU. Last fall, Johnson spent time with the running backs. Now, he's back at quarterback.
With Nussmeier and Van Buren, Johnson's chances at winning a starting job in 2025 or 2026 are slim. But LSU has other, and more immediate, plans for the athletic quarterback.
Nussmeier isn't a big runner -- that's something that hurt LSU's red-zone offense in 2024. Could Johnson be part of the solution?
LSU is preparing to showcase a revamped run game in 2025 after the Tigers were inconsistent last fall. Brian Kelly tabbed former Florida State OC Alex Atkins to serve as the run game coordinator. In Tallahassee, Atkins was the architect of explosive rushing attacks with quarterback Jordan Travis. Perhaps he can do the same with Johnson at LSU.
In spring practice, LSU explored different packages to get Johnson in the game. Johnson can give the LSU offense an element of option football, serving as a change of pace, helping in red zone and goal line packages.
LSU offensive coordinator Joe Sloan had high praise for Johnson when he met with the media.
"Ju'Juan wanted to come back to quarterback, and I couldn't be more excited to have him. He's obviously a different style of quarterback than maybe the other two guys," Sloan said.
Sloan said Johnson throws a good ball and is "electric" with the ball in his hand.
"Made a couple of big plays when we've been in live tackle situations, so I think he's been exciting," Sloan said.
As a running back, Johnson saw just 20 offensive snaps in 2024. He carried it seven times for 14 yards while catching five passes for 22 yards and a touchdown. Johnson signed with LSU in 2024 as a four-star recruit out of Lafayette Christian Academy.
When LSU returns for fall camp, we'll get a clear picture of how LSU plans to use Johnson in 2025, but if the Tigers' rushing attack needs a jolt, expect Johnson to get involved in some creative ways.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Could LSU QB Ju'Juan Johnson be secret to unlocking LSU's run game?
Continue reading...
After Nussmeier, LSU's quarterback room gets interesting. Michael Van Buren transferred to LSU after starting at Mississippi State in 2024. Along with the arrival of Van Buren, LSU moved Swiss Army Knife Ju'Juan Johnson to quarterback. Johnson was an uber-productive quarterback in high school before moving to defensive back when he arrived at LSU. Last fall, Johnson spent time with the running backs. Now, he's back at quarterback.
With Nussmeier and Van Buren, Johnson's chances at winning a starting job in 2025 or 2026 are slim. But LSU has other, and more immediate, plans for the athletic quarterback.
Nussmeier isn't a big runner -- that's something that hurt LSU's red-zone offense in 2024. Could Johnson be part of the solution?
LSU is preparing to showcase a revamped run game in 2025 after the Tigers were inconsistent last fall. Brian Kelly tabbed former Florida State OC Alex Atkins to serve as the run game coordinator. In Tallahassee, Atkins was the architect of explosive rushing attacks with quarterback Jordan Travis. Perhaps he can do the same with Johnson at LSU.
In spring practice, LSU explored different packages to get Johnson in the game. Johnson can give the LSU offense an element of option football, serving as a change of pace, helping in red zone and goal line packages.
LSU offensive coordinator Joe Sloan had high praise for Johnson when he met with the media.
"Ju'Juan wanted to come back to quarterback, and I couldn't be more excited to have him. He's obviously a different style of quarterback than maybe the other two guys," Sloan said.
Sloan said Johnson throws a good ball and is "electric" with the ball in his hand.
"Made a couple of big plays when we've been in live tackle situations, so I think he's been exciting," Sloan said.
As a running back, Johnson saw just 20 offensive snaps in 2024. He carried it seven times for 14 yards while catching five passes for 22 yards and a touchdown. Johnson signed with LSU in 2024 as a four-star recruit out of Lafayette Christian Academy.
When LSU returns for fall camp, we'll get a clear picture of how LSU plans to use Johnson in 2025, but if the Tigers' rushing attack needs a jolt, expect Johnson to get involved in some creative ways.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Could LSU QB Ju'Juan Johnson be secret to unlocking LSU's run game?
Continue reading...
