TJ Finley News, Rumors, Updates - Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

Picks Tulane Finley will transfer to Tulane, Matt Zenitz of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Finley won the starting job in his first offseason with the Hilltoppers, but suffered what ended up being a season-ending lower leg injury in Week 3 against Middle Tennessee. Finely should have two seasons of Eligibility to use at Tulane, who needs to replace the outstanding Darian Mensah at signal caller.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Plans to enter portal Finley will enter the transfer portal, On3.com reports.

Impact Finely served primarily as a backup during his one season with Western Kentucky, tossing for 490 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions while completing 64 percent of his passes. The former Auburn and Texas State gunslinger will have one more year of eligibility at his fourth program.

DECEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Available as backup Finley (lower leg) is available and will be a backup moving forward, Kaden Gaylord-Day of WBKO reports.

Impact Finally, Finley is available around two months after a lower-leg injury took him out of commission. Unfortunately, that period allowed Caden Veltkamp opportunities to excel as Western Kentucky's starting quarterback. He took them stride enough to establish himself as the Hilltoppers' QB1, indefinitely relegating Finley and his overall upside. Unfortunately for Finley, he could not excel as Western Kentucky's starting quarterback, his lone highlight being one game in which he logged 27 completions for 351 yards and a touchdown.

NOVEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Weeks away from return Finley (lower leg) is reportedly still 2-3 weeks away from making his return for Western Kentucky, per Joe Londergan of Sports Illustrated.

Impact Finley has missed each of the Hilltoppers' last four games with a lower leg injury suffered against Middle Tennessee, and it appears his road to recovery is far from over. The redshirt junior quarterback has the team's upcoming bye to rest and continue his recovery before Western Kentucky's next game against Kennesaw State the following Wednesday, but based on estimates the following game against New Mexico State is a more likely return date. Finley threw for 460 yards, one touchdown and a pair of interceptions through the team's first three games this season.

OCTOBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Out Thursday, in boot Finley (lower leg) is in a walking boot ahead of Thursday's game versus UTEP, Jeff Nations of Bowling Green Daily News reports.

Impact Finley suffered a lower leg injury in Week 3 and has been on the sidelines since. Head coach Tyson Helton said that the timeline for Finley's return is still uncertain, but the fact that Finley is in a boot is not a great sign. In the meantime, Caden Veltcamp will continue to start at quarterback for the Hilltoppers.

OCTOBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Out for multiple weeks Finley (leg) is out for multiple weeks, The Extra Point reports.

Impact Finley will sit out September, rendering him unavailable for at least two games. Currently, the earliest he can play again is against UTEP on Oct. 10. But with his absence expected to be indefinite, there may not be an update on Finley until after mid-October. In the meantime, Caden Veltkamp will be Western Kentucky's starting quarterback.

SEPTEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Won't return, using crutches Finley (leg) will not return in Saturday's game against Middle Tenn. St., The Extra Point returns.

Impact Finley was observed on the sideline using crutches, putting an end to his day. More news regarding the severity of the injury should surface during the week.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to locker room Finley was seen going to the locker room after taking a hit in Saturday's game against Middle Tenn. St., Sam Doughton of MT Athletics reports.

Impact Finley was observed heading to the locker room with the coaching staff while no putting no weight on his right leg. The 6-foot-7 quarterback had completed 3 of 5 passes for 47 yards in the first quarter. Caden Veltkamp fills in.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Throws for over 350 yards Finley went 27-for-39 for 351 yards and a touchdown against EKU on Saturday. He also ran three times for 13 yards.

Impact It was expected Finley would look better than he did against Alabama, and that is true. And yet, it's a little disappointing he only totaled one touchdown. However, he was the only WKU quarterback to play, so the job is clearly his with a full slate of Conference USA matchups to come.

SEPTEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Will want to forget WKU debut Finley went 18-for-31 for 92 yards and two interceptions against Alabama against Saturday. He also ran seven times for 17 yards.

Impact Look, playing at Alabama in a season opener is never easy, and Kalen DeBoer wasn't about to mess around in his debut as the coach in Tuscaloosa. Finley had a brutal day, and you also can't take much from that. He threw for 3,439 yards, 24 touchdowns, and eight interception with Texas State last season. He started at Auburn. Finley will be fine. No opponent will be nearly this tough the rest of the way.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

TJ Finley on Alabama: 'They might not be who they think they might be' Western Kentucky quarterback said his team has pieces to make a run this season.

AUGUST 31 • AL.COM

Named starting QB for Week 1 Finley was named starting quarterback for Western Kentucky's game Saturday at Alabama, Cole McIntire of The Extra Point WKU reports.

Impact Unsurprisingly, Western Kentucky's team is going with the most experienced quarterback it has to go up against Alabama, an SEC powerhouse who participated in the College Football Playoff just last year. The majority of Finley's experience came from Texas State's 2023 season, when he broke out by completing 67.4 percent of 414 passes for 3,439 yards and a 24:8 TD:INT ratio.

AUGUST 26 • ROTOWIRE

Available for bowl game Finley is available for Texas State's bowl game against Rice on Dec. 26, Keff Ciardello of the Austin American-Statesman reports.

Impact Once again, Finley is expected to play at least one more time for Texas State. That is welcome news for Texas State, who will look to benefit from Finley's November momentum. He finished the month having completed nearly 70 percent of his 125 passes for 1,084 yards and nine touchdowns.

DECEMBER 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lights up Southern Alabama Finley completed 19 of 28 passes for 368 yards, three touchdowns and one interception during Saturday's 52-44 victory versus South Alabama. He also had six rushes for negative nine...

Impact Finley topped 360 yards for a second straight game while notching three touchdowns for the fifth time this season. He'll finish the regular season with the third most passing yards in the Sun Belt (3,287) while owning a 24:8 TD:INT.

NOVEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Finley throws 3 TD passes; Texas St. scores first 24 points and then holds off South Alabama, 52-44

TJ Finley threw three touchdown passes, Texas State scored the first 24 points of the game and then held off South Alabama for a 52-44 victory

NOVEMBER 26, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Massive numbers in blowout Finley was 37-for-55 passing for 366 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions during Saturday's 77-31 defeat versus Arkansas State. He also had five rushes for 27 yards.

Impact Finley was excellent for most of Saturday's tilt, as each of his two interceptions came in the fourth quarter with the game out of hand. He set season highs in completions, pass attempts and passing yards while tying his best touchdown total of the campaign. Through 11 games, Finley has 2,820 yards and a 21:7 TD:INT.

NOVEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Replaced after slow start Finley was 6-for-11 passing for 49 yards during Saturday's 31-23 loss versus Coastal Carolina. He also had five rushes for six yards.

Impact Finley was benched in favor of Malik Hornsby coming out of halftime after finishing the second quarter on three straight three-and-outs. Per Keff Ciardello of the Austin American-Statesman, Finley was not battling an injury and coach G.J. Kinne expressed optimism about Finley remaining the starter. Regardless, fantasy managers should proceed with caution with any Texas State quarterback for Saturday's game against Arkansas State.

NOVEMBER 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Amasses five touchdowns Finley completed 25 of 31 passes for 301 yards and three touchdowns during Saturday's 45-24 win against Georgia Southern. He also had 12 rushes for 18 yards with two touchdowns.

Impact Finley accounted for five of Texas State's six touchdowns Saturday, notching three scores through the air and a pair on the ground. The contest marked his second 300-yard passing game of the campaign while his three throwing scores were his most since Week 3. Through nine outings, Finley has accumulated 2,405 yards and an 18:5 TD:INT while adding five more scores as a rusher.

NOVEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Finley accounts for 5TDs to help Texas State roll Georgia Southern 45-24

TJ Finley threw for 301 yards, three touchdowns and had a pair of rushing touchdowns as Texas State took control scoring on six consecutive drives and beat Georgia Southern 45-24

NOVEMBER 5, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rough showing against Troy Finley was 24-for-38 passing for 262 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions during Saturday's 31-13 defeat versus Troy. He also had six rushes for seven yards.

Impact Finley's turnover woes continued Saturday, throwing a pair of picks to mark his fifth interception in as many games. He also finished with his worst touchdown total since Week 2, when he was held scoreless against UTSA. Through eight games, Finley has 2,104 passing yards and a 15:5 TD:INT with three additional touchdowns on the ground.

OCTOBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Finley and Hobert connect on pair of 4th-quarter TDs to lift Texas State over Louisiana-Monroe 21-20

TJ Finley threw a pair of touchdown passes to Joey Hobert late in the game to rally Texas State to a 21-20 victory over Louisiana-Monroe

OCTOBER 15, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Finley passes for 3 TDs, runs for 2 more scores as Texas State beats Jackson State 77-34

TJ Finley accounted for five touchdowns, including two of Texas State’s eight rushing touchdowns, and the Bobcats beat Jackson State 77-34

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Auburn QB T.J. Finley entering portal as graduate transfer Finley’s exit thins Auburn’s quarterback depth chart but doesn’t offer much clarity.

MAY 2, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Freeze gives quarterbacks mixed reviews on opening day of spring drills Hugh Freeze gives his take on what he saw from quarterbacks Robby Ashford, T.J Finley and Holden Geriner during the opening day of spring fo...

FEBRUARY 28, 2023 • 247SPORTS.COM

Will participate in spring ball Finley (undisclosed) is back with the team and plans to participate in spring practice, 247Sports reports.

Impact Finley won the starting job out of camp but a shoulder injury derailed his season. There was some reported uncertainty regarding his plans to return to Auburn after Bryan Harsin was fired but 247 notes that Finley was with the team for the first meeting of the semester and will go through winter workouts. Finley will compete with Robby Ashford and Holden Geriner this spring.

JANUARY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

TJ FINLEY NEWS

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Finley throws 3 TD passes; Texas St. scores first 24 points and then holds off South Alabama, 52-44

Finley accounts for 5TDs to help Texas State roll Georgia Southern 45-24

Finley and Hobert connect on pair of 4th-quarter TDs to lift Texas State over Louisiana-Monroe 21-20

Finley passes for 3 TDs, runs for 2 more scores as Texas State beats Jackson State 77-34