Seven Schools In Seven Seasons: Tj Finley's Wild Cfb Journey Will End At The Fcs Level

I'm not judge if location has ever been a subordinate who has had a crazier assemblage shot profession than TJ Finley.

Finley started his profession astatine LSU successful 2020, wherever he started 5 games arsenic a existent freshman. Nobody would person thought that six years later, Finley would beryllium transferring to his 7th different schoolhouse successful 7 years.

Someday, location will beryllium an ESPN documentary made connected nan transportation portal era of assemblage football, and Finley's profession will beryllium nan cleanable illustration of nan chaotic scenery of nan athletics correct now.

Until then, we get to spot if Finley's last extremity will beryllium his astir successful. The 6-foot-7, 230-pounder has reportedly signed pinch Incarnate Word, according to On3's Pete Nakos. It will beryllium nan closing enactment for nan wildest profession we've ever seen successful assemblage football.

As I noted earlier, Finley started his profession successful Baton Rouge astatine LSU. He past transferred to Auburn, wherever he spent 2 seasons pinch nan Tigers. He saw action successful 13 games, finishing pinch 1,258 passing yards, 7 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions.

After his 2 seasons astatine Auburn, he spent 1 play astatine Texas State, wherever he had nan champion play of his profession nether erstwhile UIW caput coach GJ Kinne. Finley had a career-high 3,439 passing yards and 24 touchdowns, starring nan Bobcats to an 8-5 grounds pinch a vessel win.

As a junior, he transferred to Western Kentucky, only seeing action successful 3 games for nan Hilltoppers. In his astir caller move, he signed pinch Georgia State, playing successful 7 games, wherever he posted six touchdowns and 7 interceptions.

Finley besides spent a fewer months astatine Tulane during nan offseason, but was suspended aft being arrested. He later entered nan transportation portal and signed pinch Georgia State for nan 2025 season.

It was a reliable play for Incarnate Word successful 2025. After entering nan twelvemonth arsenic a preseason Top 5 team, nan Cardinals vanished 5-7 wide and 3-5 successful convention play.

UIW needed a caller starting backmost successful 2026 aft losing EJ Colson to nan transportation portal. Colson had a breakout freshman run pinch 2,142 passing yards, 287 rushing yards, and 19 full touchdowns. He signed pinch UTEP connected Jan. 16.

It remains to beryllium seen if Finley tin find nan aforesaid occurrence he did astatine Texas State successful 2023 successful a akin violative system.

Until past season, UIW has had a beardown history of successful backmost play, which started pinch Cam Ward successful nan outpouring 2021 season. That continued pinch Lindsey Scott and Zach Calzada complete nan adjacent 2 years.

Finley will make his FCS shot debut against North Dakota State connected Aug. 29.

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