Former Georgia State, LSU, Auburn, Texas State, and Western Kentucky quarterback T.J. Finley is once again seeking to extend his college football career. One of the remaining “COVID-year” quarterbacks, Finley is pursuing an NCAA waiver that would allow him to play a seventh season in 2026, an uncommon but increasingly familiar storyline in today’s game.
Since debuting in 2020, Finley has taken an unusually winding path, suiting up for LSU, Auburn, Texas State, WKU, briefly Tulane, and most recently Georgia State. Now, the veteran signal-caller is hoping the NCAA grants him another year, though where he might land next remains unclear.
Finley recently reflected on his decision to move on from San Marcos, Texas, describing the past two seasons as the most difficult period of his life. While playing for Western Kentucky and Georgia State, he navigated new fatherhood, injuries, and personal challenges away from football, calling the experience more demanding than anything he had faced on the field.
On the field, Finley’s most productive stretch came at Texas State, where he flourished in Central Texas and helped rewrite parts of the program record book. His time in Louisiana proved more turbulent, and his stops in Georgia and Kentucky appeared less enjoyable by comparison.
Auburn ultimately became Finley’s longest stay. He spent time backing up Bo Nix, flashed potential in spot appearances, and was named the Tigers’ starting quarterback in 2022 under Bryan Harsin. That opportunity was short-lived, however, as he was pulled after a 41–12 loss to Penn State in Week 3. Finley preserved a redshirt and tried to reclaim the job in 2023 under Hugh Freeze, but spring practices made it clear he would not factor heavily into the plans.
If his waiver is approved, a return to Texas State could be a logical option, though that path is complicated by head coach G.J. Kinne bringing in James Madison transfer Jordan McCloud ahead of the 2024 season. If another destination doesn’t materialize, Auburn may stand as the longest stop in an already rare and nomadic college football career.
