HOOVER, Ala. — Of all the possible scenarios that could play out for LSU’s quarterbacks in 2015, the best is for Brandon Harris to earn the starting job and grow into his physical abilities.

Thanks to Anthony Jennings’ recent arrest, hoping it becomes reality is more realistic.

Jennings is suspended indefinitely, and although there aren’t official practices during the summer, LSU’s players have been meeting regularly for 7-on-7. Harris has gotten all of those reps, getting to practice with the starters without the pressure of the coaching staff or Jennings hovering around him every snap.

“The way he carries himself has definitely changed,” Kendall Beckwith said at SEC Media Days. “I’ve seen him grow. In 7-on-7, he really gets onto guys. He’s being more vocal and really showing that leadership you want to see in a quarterback.”

Since Harris arrived in Baton Rouge in 2014, several obstacles have prevented that from happening:

  1. Jennings, one year ahead of Harris, threw 182 more passes last season, starting 12 games. It’s generally accepted that Jennings is less athletic, but held a better grasp of the offense and presented as a more confident leader.
  2. Cam Cameron, offensive coordinator, went from coaching NFL quarterbacks to an NFL-ready prospect (Zach Mettenberger) to a glorified high schooler in Harris. It’s taken a while for Cameron to realize he needed to move from QB 401 to QB 101 with his young pupil.
  3. Harris started one game against Auburn. He failed miserably, completing 3-of-14 passes in a 41-7 loss. Worse than the stats, Harris didn’t appear ready to play as a starting quarterback in the SEC.

There are reasons to believe all three of those will fade in 2015. But Harris’ newfound confidence and comfort within the offense — and the team’s confidence in him — boosts all of his attributes.

Said offensive tackle Vadal Alexander: “Brandon … is really maturing as a person and as a quarterback. (Both quarterbacks are) telling receivers what to do, when to cut, what route combinations to run, stuff I haven’t seen before since they’ve been here. It’s really amazing and I’m happy to see it.”

Leonard Fournette acknowledged Harris’ growth, but volunteered that Jennings still has a better command of the offense at this point.

Jennings will return to practice this fall, coach Les Miles has indicated. It’s unlikely Jennings will incur even a one-game suspension. Despite the opportunities this summer and potentially in the season-opener, Harris is far from likely to win the job.

But at least Harris should get a real, legitimate chance to become the starter, which he never got last year beyond the awkward midseason audition. If he’s inspired more confidence from his teammates during the time Jennings endured a disciplinary slap on the wrist, his chances get marginally better.

We’ll have to wait another month to discover whether that’s enough to gain an edge in a close race.

“We’ll find out when they get into camp. That job will be won by the guy who handles the competition and handles the daily grind,” Miles said last week.

If Jennings’ superior knowledge of the offense and lower risk gives the team the best chance to win, he’ll start at quarterback for LSU. But the Tigers will be better if Harris flat-out earns the job.