LSU still in the market for graduate transfer after Tre Watson turns eyes toward Texas

LSU is still looking to fill its final scholarship football spot for the upcoming season.

Former transfer target Cal grad transfer Tre Watson is no longer considering the Tigers. After considering LSU, Texas Tech and Texas, Watson narrowed his focus to the Lone Star state schools before choosing to relocate to Austin.

The Longhorns had the advantage for several reasons. No Texas running back currently on the roster asserted themselves during spring drills. Watson also was chummy watching the UT spring game with offensive lineman Calvin Anderson, who just arrived with the Longhorns as a grad transfer from Rice. Also, the running back has a close relationship with Texas RB coach, Stan Drayton.

LSU may shift their attention to other available grad transfers at positions on need.

If the Tigers are still looking to upgrade the quarterback spot with some experience, here are a few names to watch.

Former Iowa State QB Jacob Park has 2,972 career passing yards with 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He started only four contests in 2017 and served a marijuana suspension which eventually led to the 6-foot-4, 210 pounder seeking greener pastures.

Another once highly recruited quarterback, Tucker Israel, found himself in a crowded derby at Clemson before graduating and hoping to find new landing spot.

Size is a drawback for Israel (5-11, 165) but he has displayed a strong passing arm since high school. He broke Tim Tebow’s Florida state prep records, throwing 56 touchdown passes his senior season and racking up 15,034 career passing yards. Tucker finished his prep career with 162 TD passes.

Never able to get into the flow at Clemson, Tucker did not play in 2017 due to illness.

J.J. Consentino (6-4, 238) is a former Florida State quarterback who has no career starts for the Seminoles. The Pittsburgh native only attempted 31 passes, completing 15 with two going for scores.

Jeff George, Jr. tried to follow in the footsteps of his legendary father as a college quarterback but the younger George has spent his college career at Illinois with less success by comparison. Last season, he accounted for 1,273 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Jeff Jr. started nine games the past two years and has two season of eligibility remaining.

Since LSU had targeted the running back Watson, the coaching staff may just stay with that position to find a reinforcement.

Jeremy Smith (6-2, 224) had made just three career starts at Louisville and accounted for 660 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Cardinals. What makes him an intriguing option is his local ties. The Hammond High product may like a fresh start back in southeast Louisiana. LSU and Alabama seem to be two schools he is considering as a grad transfer.

A power back option is Terence Williams from Baylor. He hails from Ennis, Texas and has 1,859 career rushing yards for the Bears with 15 touchdowns. Williams (6-1, 220) made five starts in 2017 and six in ’16 when he earned Big 12 Honorable mention after rushing for 1,048 yards (5.7 yard average) and 11 touchdowns.

We’ll keep you up-to-date on the progress of LSU’s search for another veteran helping hand.