Quarterback T.J. Finley is once again exploring opportunities in the NCAA transfer portal, potentially marking his fourth school in a span of five years.
Initially joining LSU in 2020 after high school, Finley spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons at Auburn before transferring to Texas State last season. During his time with the Bobcats, he showcased his skills by throwing for 3,439 yards and 24 touchdowns, contributing to the team’s historic first-ever bowl game appearance. With two seasons of eligibility remaining, Finley recently announced his return to the transfer portal on Instagram, stating, “Thank you Texas State! Business is business!”
Interestingly, Texas State secured a commitment from former Arizona quarterback Jayden de Laura the day before Finley’s decision to re-enter the portal. Despite Finley’s earlier announcement of his intention to play for Texas State in the 2024 season, the arrival of de Laura seems to have led to a change in plans.
Standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing 255 pounds, Finley displayed promise during his true freshman year at LSU in 2020, amassing 941 yards and five touchdowns in five games. He stepped up for Auburn in 2021, starting five games and recording 827 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception due to injuries to Bo Nix.
Just spoke to T.J. Finley. He said he wasn’t aware of Jayden de Laura’s commitment to #TXST before it happened yesterday. When asked if his plan was to come back to the Bobcats before yesterday, he said “100%” https://t.co/Y2yI2FIQyT
— Keff Ciardello (@Keff_C) January 16, 2024
While Finley kicked off Auburn’s 2022 season opener against Mercer after Nix’s transfer to Oregon, he later came off the bench in the next three games behind Robby Ashford before taking a redshirt year and sitting out the remainder of the season. Finley made a comeback by starting all 13 games for Texas State in the past season.
