LSU Lands Dual-Threat QB Brandon Harris

After scoring another top-ranked recruiting class this year, the Alabama Crimson Tide may be poised for several more championship runs in the SEC, but other conference heavy-hitters – such as the LSU Tigers – are also stocking up in the recruiting arms race.

According to ESPN.com, Brandon Harris – the No. 48 overall recruit and No. 2 rated dual-threat quarterback in the ESPN 300 – committed to LSU on Thursday. The school beat out his other final choices, which included Ohio State, Baylor and rival SEC school Auburn.

While most expected the Louisiana-native to pick the in-state school, Harris becomes the first quarterback from the Bayou state to commit to LSU since Jordan Jefferson in 2008. Harris said he plans to enroll for the spring semester and compete for the starting job in 2014 against current LSU throwers Rob Bolden (junior), Stephen Rivers (sophomore), Anthony Jennings (freshman) and Hayden Rettig (freshman).

Harris’ strong arm and ability to improvise in scrambling situations should compliment the rest of the Tigers’ talented offensive cast. As a junior at Parkway High School in Bossier City, LA last season, he threw for 2,673 yards and rushed for an additional 677.

The signing is even a bigger get for the LSU program considering its aerial attack with Zach Mettenberger left a lot to be desired last season, as the team ranked 94th in the nation in passing offense with just 200.5 yards per game. Mettenberger also struggled at times with accuracy, throwing seven interceptions to just 12 touchdowns in an offense built mostly around the run.

With eight other ESPN 300 players coming into LSU’s recruiting class, Harris should be surrounded by plenty of talent around his age, along with veteran upperclassmen as LSU looks to reclaim its spot atop the SEC. Of course, he won’t be able to help the Tigers this year as he finishes high school, but there’s no doubt that the future looks bright for LSU football.

Many experts are projecting LSU to finish 4th in what appears to be another stacked year in the SEC. Bovada.lv currently has the Tigers listed at 18/1 to win the 2014 BCS National Championship, behind Alabama (3/1), Texas A&M (9/1) and Georgia (14/1), but considering how well LSU plays those teams year in and year out, we should definitely insert the Tigers into the contender category for now.