Former LSU QB TJ Finley named starter at Western Kentucky

Former LSU QB TJ Finley was named the starter at Western Kentucky ahead of the Hilltoppers Week 1 match with Alabama.

For Finley, WKU is career stop No. 4. After beginning his career at LSU, he spent two seasons at Auburn. He found success with Texas State in 2023, but the Bobcats opted for JMU transfer Jordan Mcleod. That left Finley looking for a new home.

WKU has been kind to transfer QBs in recent years. Most notably, Bailey Zappe put up historic numbers in 2021.

Week one will be Finley’s third career game against Alabama. Finley previously saw the Tide in his time with LSU and Auburn.

A former three-star recruit from Louisiana, Finley looked like LSU’s future for a brief moment in 2020, but LSU’s QB room got crowded.

Finley’s 2023 was a career year. He threw for 3,439 yards and 24 touchdowns while posting a 152.4 passer rating. All three marks were career highs.

Entering his fifth year of college football, Finley will look to finish on a high note. Liberty is the favorite in Conference USA, but WKU poses the biggest threat to the Flames.

If things go right, Finley has the talent to lead WKU to a conference title and continue the trend of offensive success under Ty Helton.

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