LSU football: Brian Kelly all but confirms questions at QB

LSU football coach Brian Kelly is keeping the Tigers’ quarterback situation close to the vest.

After Brian Kelly spoke at SEC Media Days on Monday, the LSU football coach removed all doubt that questions remain surrounding the Tigers’ starting quarterback job.

Not only did Kelly not bring a quarterback with him to Atlanta, but he did not tip his hand either way as to where he might be leaning. LSU has four quality quarterbacks on its roster in Myles Brennan, Jayden Daniels, Walker Howard and Garrett Nussmeier, but none have asserted themselves as the sure-fire, Week 1 starter just yet. Kelly only recruited Howard of the quartet.

Kelly outlined how spring practice went and what a quarterback has to do in his LSU system.

"“The spring really was for us to lay down our offense,” said Kelly at SEC Media Days on Monday. “We weren’t really going to gear it toward any particular skillset. There’s great depth there. No. 1: They’ve got to take care of the football. No. 2: They have to get the ball to playmakers. I have playmakers on offense that are already in place. No. 3: They’ve got to make plays.”"

Kelly does see all four quarterbacks capable of taking care of the football, getting the ball to playmakers and making big-time plays themselves.

"“The ultimate decision-making on who that quarterback is, he’ll have to hit those three notes,” continued Kelly. “I think all of these guys can do that. We’ll have to put them in that position so we can evaluate that.”"

Keep in mind the following. Brennan has been at LSU the longest. Daniels transferred this offseason after starting for three years at Arizona State. Nussmeier is the immensely talented son of an NFL coach. Howard is the first prized recruit Kelly signed since taking over the LSU program.

Got it? Cool. Let’s geaux!

Brian Kelly all but confirms the quarterbacking conundrum within LSU football

While having one, firmly-established starting quarterback is paramount in the NFL, having more than one good one on a college roster is not the worst thing in the world. These are kids we are talking about, 18 to 23-year-olds living away from home for the first time in their young adult lives. Talent is one thing, but maturity is another. It is why nothing is as it seems in college football.

As weird as it sounds, you could argue for all four quarterbacks getting their shot. Brennan has been at LSU the longest, but this is a new regime. Daniels has the most starting experience at the Power Five level of any of them, but that came at different program. Nussmeier may have the highest upside presently, but Kelly did not recruit him. Kelly did recruit Howard, but he will be raw.

If Kelly wants to be safe, he would go with either Brennan or Daniels. Should he want to go with upside, he might side with either Nussmeier or Howard. Keep in mind that at Notre Dame, Kelly was not afraid to start a transfer quarterback. Since his offense is predicated on the run, being mobile is an attribute worth having if you are a quarterback. Either way, Kelly remains undecided.

No matter how this season goes, Kelly will be given the benefit of the doubt because it is year one.

For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.