LITTLE ROCK — The 12th in a series previewing SEC football teams
Zach Mettenberger always pictured himself playing a lead role as quarterback of an SEC powerhouse.
Just not the way it’s happened.
“I definitely took the path less taken, but I’m finally here,” Mettenberger said recently at SEC media days in Birmingham, Ala. “It’s my chance, and I’m going to try and make the most of it.
“It’s total opposite ends of the spectrum, going from being kind of an outcast to being the guy that’s at SEC media days and having all you guys around me asking questions. But it’s something I’ve wanted to do my whole life. I’m ready for that challenge.”
Mettenberger, a fourthyear junior, represented LSU at media days after beginning his college career at Georgia in 2009. He literally grew up around the Georgia program, where his mother, Tammy, still works as an administrative secretary in the football office. He signed with the Bulldogs after starring at Oconee County (Ga.) High School.
But after redshirting as a true freshman, Mettenberger was dismissed by Georgia Coach Mark Richt in the spring of 2010 for disciplinary reasons. Mettenberger pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor sexual battery resulting from an incident in a Valdosta, Ga., bar, then broke an undisclosed team rule.
So instead of competing with Aaron Murray for the Bulldogs’ starting job in 2010, Mettenberger transferred to Butler County (Kan.) Community College.
“It’s a pretty depressing 18-hour drive to Butler from Athens, Ga., going through cornfields and whatnot,” Mettenberger said. “It was a tough time in my life, but junior college ball really made me love the game again. I really have to thank my coaches there.”
Playing for a Jayhawk Conference program, Mettenberger learned, is a lot different than the SEC.
“There’s a huge oil refinery right there on Butler’s campus,” he said. “The practice field also is right next to a cow pasture. The combination of those two smells is pretty horrific, but we got through it.”
Mettenberger, 6-5, 222 pounds, passed for 2,678 yards and 32 touchdowns and threw 4 interceptions in 12 games at Butler in 2010. He said he drew recruiting interest from Arkansas, Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss and Texas A&M.
“Those are some big-time schools there,” Mettenberger said. “But after taking a visit to LSU, I felt at home and really fell in love with the coaching staff and the other guys on the team.”
The Tigers won the SEC championship last season, but lost 21-0 in a rematch with Alabama in the BCS title game to finish 13-1. Mettenberger was a third-teamer behind seniors Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson and played in 5 games, completing 8 of 11 passes for 92 yards and 1 touchdown.
“It’s hard to just throw in the third-string guy when you’re winning ballgames,” Mettenberger said. “I definitely wanted to play — that’s what you want to do as a competitor — but our offense was in good hands last year with Jarrett and Jordan.”
The Tigers and their fans are hoping Mettenberger’s passing skills will add an element to their offense that was missing last year and help LSU win SEC and national championships.
“The reality is, he throws the ball extremely well,” LSU Coach Les Miles said. “He can make all the throws. So we’re going to take advantage of some of those secondaries that want to come up and crowd the front and really try to stop the run.”
The Tigers were second in the SEC in rushing offense last season (202.6 yards per game), but 10th in passing offense (152.7 ypg).
LSU sophomore receiver Odell Beckham Jr. said Mettenberger can have “whatever kind of year he wants to have” as the Tigers’ starter.
“You can just see in his eyes that he’s ready,” Beckham said. “He has a phenomenal arm, and he’s going to lead us to a lot of victories.
“I tell him all the time, ‘You’re a first-rounder. You’re incredible.’ He’s been on a long journey, and he’s been through a lot. That really just shows his character and how much he’s matured to where he is now and what he’s ready to do.”
Miles said he reviewed Mettenberger’s disciplinary problems at Georgia and determined he deserved a chance to play for LSU.
“I certainly realize people make mistakes,” Miles said. “Frankly, since we’ve had him, he’s been a very, very quality teammate.”
Mettenberger, who was a counselor at the Manning Passing Academy this summer, said he understands the leadership role that’s expected from him now.
“I’ve been busting my tail every day during this offseason to really earn the respect of my teammates,” he said. “I think I’ve been opening eyes with guys on the team that I have a great work ethic and I want to lead our team to a bunch of wins this year.”
Beckham said the Tigers have been impressed.
“Zach knows what he has to do,” Beckham said. “He knows that he can’t just be ‘Zach’ anymore, he has to be ‘Zach Mettenberger, starting quarterback for LSU.’ That’s his role, and he’s stepping into it.”
NEXT Kentucky
Sports, Pages 23 on 07/29/2012