As if the 2021 season wasn’t weird enough for the LSU Tigers, when they take on the Kansas State Wildcats in the Texas Bowl on Tuesday evening, they’ll be doing so with a roster and coaching staff depleted by COVID-19 positive cases.
The Tigers will have just 39 available scholarship players available for the game, according to The Athletic. And that list of eligible players does not include anyone on the roster who is considered a quarterback. Because Max Johnson transferred to Texas A&M, Myles Brennan isn’t eligible to play, and freshman Garrett Nussmeier would have to burn his redshirt if he played, the team is left to get very creative.
Turns out, they’ve decided to have a wide receiver play quarterback tonight. Namely, Jontre Kirklin, who senior who actually has a lot of history playing the position.
#LSU is set to start WR Jontre Kirklin at QB.
It will be his first time playing QB since he left Lutcher High as a state champion in the 2017 signing class.
— Shea Dixon (@Sheadixon) January 5, 2022
Jontre actually played quarterback for Lutcher High in Louisiana, leading them to a state title and racking up over 7,500 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards in his career. So, this isn’t exactly like plugging a centerfielder in as a pitcher. Still, Kirklin also hasn’t played quarterback in a long time, so while he got a lot of reps in practice leading up the bowl game, he’s likely to be a little bit rusty.
Kirklin playing quarterback is just one of a handful of wild aspects to this game for LSU. They also won’t have most of their actual coaching staff doing the coaching during the game.
In addition to LSU being down to 38 scholarship players tonite vs K-State, most of the Tigers position coaches are analysts: OL (Joe Henry); RBs (Mario Acitelli); WRs (Carter Sheridan); LBs (Jake Olsen); CBs (Dwayne Thomas); STC (Chris Forestier) and TE coach Derek Shay is a GA.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 4, 2022
It’s going to be a wild experience for LSU in the Texas Bowl, as well as for those watching at home, and the reaction on social media reflects that.
In addition to LSU starting a receiver at quarterback, the Tigers' starting kicker is out, the team is down to 39 scholarship players and seven of the on-field coaches are either analysts or graduate assistants.
drink up https://t.co/rycGV4hWZn
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) January 5, 2022
It’s about to get crazy at the Texas Bowl. https://t.co/sNfexQYLIT
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) January 5, 2022
LSU has finally got their QB set for tonight. LETS TEXAS BOWL Y’ALL!! https://t.co/ooG9ft8edg pic.twitter.com/kkl5gMEgPY
— 🇸🇲 Sickos Committee 🇸🇲 (@SickosCommittee) January 5, 2022
I hope this guy breaks records tonight https://t.co/wKtnSPkknQ
— Barstool Texas A&M (@BarstoolTexasAM) January 5, 2022
