In what may be the most delayed second chance in Southeastern Conference football history, Jarrett Lee is back as Louisiana State’s starting quarterback.
Lee redshirted in 2007, when the Tigers won their second national title in five years, and took the brunt of the blame for the program’s slide in 2008. He started eight games in ’08 and had 14 touchdown passes, but his seven interceptions returned for touchdowns set an NCAA single-season record.
There has been one start since, when Jordan Jefferson was injured and couldn’t play against Louisiana Tech two years ago, but Jefferson’s indefinite suspension following a second-degree battery charge has given Lee a reprieve. The 6-foot-2, 207-pounder played in 12 games last season as Jefferson’s backup, averaging 48 passing yards a game.
“I expect a lot from Jarrett Lee,” coach Les Miles said Wednesday. “I think his play in every game last year and certainly his play in some of the key games in last year’s success were due to his drives. I think he’s looking forward to seeing full games, start to finish, and I expect him to operate the offense better than he ever has.”
LSU fans certainly hope so with Oregon up first and trips to Mississippi State and West Virginia later this month.