A familiar face returns to a Southeastern Conference venue to play the University of Alabama this week.
T.J. Finley, a Louisiana native, is on his fourth college football team.
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The 6-foot-7, 255-pound quarterback will start Saturday for Western Kentucky against the Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Finley faced the Tide once at Louisiana State University in 2020 and twice at Auburn University in 2021 and 2022.
He suffered a loss in all three meetings. Finley did not have success at LSU and Auburn, but he turned in marquee production at Texas State in 2023. He recorded 3,439 yards passing with 24 touchdowns to eight interceptions. Finley also had five rushing scores before hitting the NCAA transfer portal and selecting Western Kentucky.
He is a physical specimen, but how much better has he gotten as a complete quarterback?
Finley will look to test Alabama’s secondary, especially its young cornerbacks, with vertical plays downfield. He is not much of a runner, so a consistent pass rush benefits the Crimson Tide huge at home.
The Hilltoppers got an explosive receiver from the portal to help Finley. Kisean Johnson, a senior, was a standout playmaker for Alabama State in the last two seasons. He is a weapon that can make multiple plays for Finley in the passing game.
Alabama fans will be rocking under the lights as the matchup is set for 6:00 p.m. CT.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
