BATON ROUGE — On Tuesday, LSU projected starting quarterback Myles Brennan did his first interview with reporters since he signed at LSU on Feb. 1, 2017.
A sophomore from St. Stanislaus High in Long Beach, Mississippi, he played in six games last season, completing 14 of 24 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions. But freshman football players are usually not interviewed at LSU since the days of former coach Nick Saban. Brennan was then not brought out to interviews last week when junior Justin McMillan and redshirt freshman Lowell Narcisse, who are competing with Brennan for the starting job, were interviewed.
After several requests since he became a sophomore and since spring football practice started last month, Brennan came out for interviews at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday.
QUESTION: “Finally, we get to talk to Myles Brennan. How’s this last year been for you?”
BRENNAN: “It’s been good. I feel like I’ve learned a lot. The coaching staff has done a great job of putting the information in our hands. It’s just upon us to go out and learn it. I feel like I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable, playing a few games in Tiger Stadium on this level. I can take a deep breath and relax. I’m just getting better every day and excited for this year.”
QUESTION: “Coach (Ed) Orgeron said there were some struggles last summer. And early on this spring, there were struggles. What happened in those two situations where you got better, improved?”
BRENNAN: “Yeah, I feel like it’s trying to learn a new offense. When I first got here, that’s the first time obviously I’d been around a college offense — Coach Canada’s offense (former offensive coordinator Matt Canada). Once I got the hang of it, I was all right. And in the spring, we had to install a new offense (under offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger). It just takes a lot of studying, a lot of preparation. But I feel like I’ve been doing well.”
QUESTION: “How difficult is this offense to learn?”
BRENNAN: “It’s not much different. As a quarterback, you have to know everything. You have to know the routes. You have to know the protections. You have to know where the blitz is coming from and the coverages. You have to put the old offense away and jump into this new one.”
QUESTION: “You beat two guys out in August for the No. 2 job. So, how does that set you up for this job?”
BRENNAN: “I really don’t look at it that way. I look at it as this is a new spring, a new season, and we’re trying to push each other to get better. And I’m going to let that take care of itself.”
QUESTION: “What’s the biggest lesson you learned from last season?”
BRENNAN: “Definitely, the speed of the game changes a lot. In high school, you could fit a throw in a window, and now maybe you can’t fit that window. I feel like just take what the defense gives you and just go play by play.”
QUESTION: “How important was it to play last season even though it wasn’t a lot?”
BRENNAN: “I think it was very important just to go in there and get those butterflies out the way. It’s a completely different stage in high school. But at the end of the day, it’s just a game. It’s the same field, and I’m just doing what I’ve done my whole life.”
QUESTION: “What was that first game like?”
BRENNAN: “It was really cool. (Brennan completed one pass in one attempt for 12 yards in a 27-0 win over BYU.) It was in the Superdome. It kind of gave me the jitters after the game to feel like I just played my first college football game. But it’s just a game. It can’t look bigger than what the picture is.”
QUESTION: “What happened in the Troy game?” (Brennan threw a critical interception that helped Troy upset LSU, 24-21.)
BRENNAN: “That’s just learning where your eyes supposed to be on what coverages. I learn every day and I’m moving forward, and I learn from my mistakes.”
QUESTION: “How did you handle the shuffle between you and (starting quarterback) Danny Etling?”
BRENNAN: “It was a lot, but at the end of the day I was just doing what the coaches asked me to do. On the headset, they’d say, ‘Go get warm.’ That’s my job.”
QUESTION: “How has the transition been from Coach Canada to Coach Ensminger?”
BRENNAN: “Coach Canada was a really good coach. Now, that he’s moved on, I love Coach Ensminger. He’s a very positive guy. He doesn’t like to harp on the negative things, but we have to talk about it because that’s how we learn. But he’s always upbeat and it brings a lot of energy to the table, and he’s a very good coach. And he’s played the position, which helps out a lot.”
QUESTION: “What do you need to improve on the most going into this season?”
BRENNAN: “There’s a lot to learn — a lot to improve on. I feel like the biggest thing is not forcing throws. That’s the biggest thing. If they’re going to give you the intermediate, take it. You don’t need to hit a home run shot every play, and like I said, erase the bad plays and move forward and live for the next down.”
QUESTION: “How did you deal with the pressure of playing at LSU last year? Who did you count on?”
BRENNAN: “Definitely my family, for sure. They’re the ones who are always going to be there for you — good, bad or indifferent. So obviously, as we all know, everybody knows LSU fans are crazy. You kind of have to block that out, but mentally you have to be very strong and my family was there for me every game.”
QUESTION: “The backup quarterback is always the most popular guy, though. Did you feel that last year? Was it awkward almost with Danny (Etling) sometimes?”
BRENNAN: “You know, not really. He and I were roommates every game. So, we definitely got a lot closer. And then one thing I admire from him is he was always trying to help me out. He never got salty that I was behind him or thought I was coming after his job or anything like that. He was always there helping me, helping me learn. That was very cool.”
QUESTION: “What did you learn from him?”
BRENNAN: “He was smart with the ball. He only had — I don’t know — what was it, two interceptions? Something like that (in 242 attempts). And he took what the defense gave him. That was the biggest thing, especially at this level, being a quarterback is just taking what they give you and being smart with the ball.”
QUESTION: “How much did it help working with him before games?”
BRENNAN: “I felt like it helped a lot, especially knowing what his pregame rituals were. Going over the game plan and studying and knowing what things you need to study. I think that helped a lot.”
LSU looks like it will finish the season strong at 9-3 with wins at Tennessee Saturday and at home against Texas A&M next week, but it needs to get 2018 QB Myles Brennan ready. Caitlin Jacob
QUESTION: “How have you done in these scrimmages?”
BRENNAN: “I feel like I’ve done well. I feel I have a lot to improve on, a lot to learn and a lot to get better at. So I just take it a day at a time, a scrimmage at a time, and try to pick something out every day and get better on and just move forward.”
QUESTION: “Lowell’s got legs. Justin has sort of the veteran leadership. What’s the asset that you think you bring?”
BRENNAN: “I feel like I just do what the coaches ask. Obviously, Lowell and Justin both are faster than I am, but if the coaches ask me to run, I’m going to run. If they ask me to throw, I’m going to throw. Whatever they ask me to do, I can do.”
QUESTION: “Where are you at weight wise, and where do you want to get?”
BRENNAN: “Right now, I’m at 195, 196, and my goal weight is 210, 215. So, it’s tough right now in the spring because we’re constantly going to put the weight on. But definitely in this off-season, I’ll get it up there.”
QUESTION: “You’re having to eat a lot?”
BRENNAN: “I feel like my body is so young, it hasn’t matured yet. But I am capable of doing it, so I will do it. It’s just part of it.”
QUESTION: “Will you eat at Brennan’s a lot?” (Brennan is related to the Brennan family dynasty of restaurants in New Orleans.)
BRENNAN: “I do. Yeah. Good food. Obviously that helps. Where I need to work is keeping it on.”
QUESTION: “Seriously, you have eaten there often?”
BRENNAN: “Yeah. I do.”
QUESTION: “What’s your favorite dish at Brennan’s?”
BRENNAN: “Probably the Filet (of Beef) Stanley.”
QUESTION: “How much did you weigh when you got here?”
BRENNAN: “I was 175 last summer.”
QUESTION: “Did they put you on a program?”
BRENNAN: “I’m on an insane meal plan. I come here early in the mornings and get two or three breakfast sandwiches and drink a shake, and then I’m eating probably 6 or 7 meals a day with a midnight snack. It is rough. I’m having to force food in my body that it obviously doesn’t want to take in because I’m not used to it. I basically get to the point where I’m about to throw up. I mean it’s tough, but it’s going to pay off.”
QUESTION: “What’s the midnight snack?”
BRENNAN: “It really differs. I have the luxury of not being picky of what I eat just because I need to eat whenever I can, whether it’s Raising Cane’s or a pizza. *I try to stay healthy, but at this point, there’s no point in trying to stay healthy, I just need to gain the weight.”
