LSU Secures Commitment From Former Vanderbilt QB AJ Swann

The Tigers add a body in the quarterback room after Swann revealed his pledge to LSU, needed depth.

The LSU football staff continues doing work behind the scenes after reeling in a commitment from former Vanderbilt quarterback AJ Swann, he revealed on Monday.

Swann is fresh off of back-to-back visits last week after taking a trip up to South Carolina to visit with the Gamecocks followed by an official to LSU with Brian Kelly's Tigers. 

The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder arrived in Baton Rouge on Friday for a multi-day stay alongside LSU quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan. A player this program has had their eye on since he officially entered, the Tigers had been working behind the scenes to get him in town.

Now, after a successful visit down South, Swann is a Tiger. 

The former Vanderbilt signal-caller provides the Bayou Bengals with a player who's competed in the SEC and understands the situation he's coming into.

Redshirt sophomore Garrett Nussmeier, who's waited his turn, will certainly have a leg up on the competition this spring, but adding a player of Swann's caliber will give this quarterback room an extra boost. 

In his two seasons as a Commodore, Swann made 15 appearances and 12 starts. He started in all six games he played in during the 2023 season, tallying 1,457 passing yards and 12 touchdowns with only seven interceptions.

Entering the 2023 season, Swann was tabbed as Vanderbilt's starting signal-caller before an injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season.

Now, after making the decision to depart Nashville, he's made his decision. 

There were two options for Kelly and Co. this offseason when it came to the quarterback room. LSU Country dove into the importance of adding a seasoned signal-caller.

The Two Options:

Option A: Hit the Transfer Portal with Force

Nussmeier has done his time in Baton Rouge. In an era where it's so easy to jump ship and head to another program after losing the starting job, Nussmeier did the opposite.

A Louisiana native, the Tigers' 2023 backup waited his turn and has the chance to carry the torch now that Jayden Daniels has declared for the 2024 NFL Draft.

With Daniels gone, the Tigers are one injury away from bringing in a freshman. With Rickie Collins, a redshirt freshman, and Colin Hurley, who will be a true freshman, backing up Nussmeier, it was imperative to add another body. 

For Nussmeier, nothing in college football is guaranteed. Kelly went out and added Daniels to a talented room two years ago and it ultimately became one of the savviest moves in LSU history.

Now, we Kelly has done the same once again and added competition to the quarterback room ahead of next season with Swann's commitment. 

But what if LSU didn't add Swann?

Option B: Fall Back on the Youngsters

If the Tigers opted to sit back and roll with Nussmeier, Collins and Hurley, the talent is there, but inexperience certainly remained a concern.

Nussmeier has played meaningful snaps in just a handful of games, and has proven he has the arm talent to compete in the SEC, but after the redshirt junior, the depth chart begins to look grim.

Collins, who is wrapping up his true freshman campaign, has worked tirelessly alongside quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan ever since his arrival.

He has an opportunity to take significant snaps down the line, but remains a player who will thrive in the development system of this coaching staff,

When it comes to Hurley, he'll arrive on campus at 16 years old. Originally in the 2025 class, he elected to reclassify into the 2024 cycle in order to hit Baton Rouge a year early.

Now, as he prepares to make that jump, he'll arrive on campus at a young age. He's proven he can play, but will likely need time to allow his body to transform.

The Verdict: LSU Adds Quarterback With SEC Experience 

Swann fits what the Tigers wanted to do all along. He's a player who knows nothing is guaranteed and is willing to come in and compete for his reps alongside Nussmeier.

After two seasons with Vanderbilt, he's accustomed to the SEC regimen and will add a much-needed depth piece to the quarterback room this offseason.

The Tigers have their guy as Swann reveals his decision to become a member of the No. 1 offense in America.