Zach Mettenberger: Time for LSU Quarterback to Live Up to Expectations

With his senior year quickly approaching, Zach Mettenberger will be playing under a microscope. The LSU quarterback was underwhelming last year recording only 2,609 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. Next season looks to be a great opportunity to play the way many LSU fans expected him to.

When a new offensive coordinator or quarterbacks coach comes to a team, it takes time to adjust to the changes. Cam Cameron took over both positions at LSU this offseason and he will look to take the Tiger offense to a new level. Even with this change, it seems that the chemistry hasn’t taken long to develop with the players. Mettenberger has expressed his pleasure with the coach and how he wants to learn as much as possible in his last remaining months.

With the receiving corps that he has at his disposal, Mettenberger and his big arm should take advantage of a more pro-style offense. Another offseason of training should help with his timing and relationship with the receivers.

LSU lost eight defensive starters and possibly running back Jeremy Hill for the season, so someone on the team will have to step up. Alfred Blue will be returning from injury this season, so defenses will still have to respect the run, but Mettenberger must work on his footwork and speed. He recognizes this and will work to make some changes. I don’t expect there to be too much of an improvement in this respect, but if he can learn to scramble even a little better, it would go miles towards his overall improvement.

Mettenberger has been through a lot in his college career. Multiple teams, legal issues and struggles on the field have prevented him from fulfilling his potential. Character is built through struggles, and Mettenberger should rely on the maturity that he has gained through his college years to navigate him through next season. LSU needs a leader and Mettenberger has an opportunity to fill that role both on and off the field.

If he can improve his technique and footwork this offseason, Mettenberger could become a great player for LSU. Leadership qualities combined with his natural ability can take the quarterback to the next level. Having been left off the Davey O’Brien Award watch list, Mettenberger will be out to prove the critics wrong. Talk is cheap, and we won’t know if the improvements that he talks about will come to fruition or not, but it certainly seems like he has an excellent opportunity to shine for LSU in the upcoming season.

Let’s hope so. Ending the past two seasons with a loss has not sit well with LSU fans, and they will have high expectations for the quarterback and team this season.

James Roeling is a soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesRoeling, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google