LSU Backup QB Colin Hurley Injured in Early Morning Campus Crash

BATON ROUGE, La. — LSU backup quarterback Colin Hurley was seriously injured in a single-vehicle crash on campus early Thursday morning, according to officials and local reports.

The 17-year-old freshman was found unresponsive after his Dodge Charger struck a tree near the intersection of South Quad Drive and Highland Road around 2:45 a.m., sources told WBRZ News. Emergency responders pulled Hurley from the vehicle, and he was breathing but drifting in and out of consciousness with a significant facial injury.

Authorities have not released the cause of the crash but confirmed that impairment is not suspected. Hurley, a Jacksonville, Florida, native, was transported to a local hospital, and his condition remains undisclosed as of Thursday afternoon.

Hurley, who redshirted during his first season with the Tigers, is the third-string quarterback behind starter Garrett Nussmeier and Mississippi State transfer Michael Van Buren. He enrolled at LSU in January 2024 at just 16 years old, making him one of the youngest players in college football.

LSU head coach Brian Kelly addressed the team’s quarterback depth earlier this week, emphasizing the importance of competition. “When you’re looking at your entire roster, you’re making an incredible investment across the board,” Kelly said. “You have to look at each position and if Garrett was to go down, you have to have somebody there.”

Hurley’s injury comes as LSU prepares for spring camp, with Nussmeier returning for his final season of eligibility. The redshirt senior, who bypassed the NFL Draft, is considered a potential Heisman Trophy contender for 2025.

Van Buren, who transferred to LSU last month, brings SEC experience to the quarterback room. The sophomore started 10 games for Mississippi State in 2024, throwing for 1,886 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Hurley’s early enrollment and strong arm had made him a promising prospect for the Tigers’ future. His injury raises questions about LSU’s quarterback depth as the team looks to build on a successful 2024 season.