Former Texas State quarterback TJ Finley commits to Western Kentucky

By Daven Meredith

KTSW Sports Reporter

The former three-star recruit is coming off one of his best seasons, with 3,439 yards, 24 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, leading Texas State to their first bowl win in program history in the First Responders Bowl, defeating Rice 45-21. 

Finley tossed his name into the portal several days after his announcement on social media that he was staying in San Marcos, only for the news that former Arizona quarterback Jayden de Laura had committed to Texas State after Finley’s initial announcement.  

Finley announced on social media that he would be signing with Western Kentucky, where he is expected to compete with redshirt freshman quarterback Caden Veltkamp for the starting job this offseason.  

This will be Finley’s fourth school as he entered the portal in 2023 after his tenure with SEC programs LSU in 2020 and splitting starting time at Auburn for two seasons. After Auburn, Finley was on several Power 5 programs radar, with visits lined up before Bobcats coach GJ Kinne called Finley to come to San Marcos. After the meeting, Finley canceled all other school visits and committed to the Bobcats. 

Finley burst onto the scene in the Bobcats week one upset against Baylor, where Texas State walked in as 27 points underdogs. Finley led the Bobcats into Waco, defeating the Bears 42-31, going 22-30 with 298 passing yards for three touchdowns. This led to Finley being named Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week.  

As the signal caller for Mack Leftwich’s prolific 2023 offense Finley’s success continued and dominated the Sun Belt, ranking first in scoring and total offense, leading to Finley’s selection as a Sun Belt honorable mention.  

Finley and the Hilltoppers open their season against the Alabama Crimson Tide on Aug 31st.