

LSU has produced some elite quarterback talent in recent years. From Joe Burrow’s historic 2019 national title run to Jayden Daniels’ Heisman-winning season in 2023, the expectations for the next signal-caller in Baton Rouge are sky-high.
But Garrett Nussmeier isn’t interested in stepping into anyone else’s shoes. At the 2024 Manning Passing Academy, Nussmeier delivered a message that made headlines.
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“I’m Garrett Nussmeier. I’m not Jayden Daniels. I’m not Joe Burrow,” he said. “I’m going to be the best version of me, and I hope that’s enough for LSU.”
It was a clear statement: Nussmeier wants to lead the Tigers his own way, not by mimicking past stars but by building a legacy of his own.
The redshirt junior enters the 2025 season after a strong showing in 2024. In his first full season as LSU’s starter, he threw for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns. His confidence soared after a standout performance in the ReliaQuest Bowl, where he earned MVP honors with 295 passing yards and three touchdowns.
Teammates and coaches have praised his development. Former LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. noted Nussmeier’s growth and believes he can follow a similar trajectory to Daniels, saying, “He definitely can do the same thing.”
A breakout year on the horizon?
The signs point to a potential breakout in 2025. Nussmeier’s first-year QBR was 78.2-similar to Daniels and Burrow in their initial LSU seasons. Both of his predecessors made massive leaps in year two. If Nussmeier continues on that track, he could be in the Heisman conversation by midseason.
LSU is also giving him tools to succeed. The Tigers added dynamic receivers through the transfer portal, including Nic Anderson and Barion Brown, enhancing an already explosive offense. With Brian Kelly’s system now firmly in place, the team hopes to return to the College Football Playoff-and Nussmeier is a key piece of that puzzle.
Still, the quarterback has kept his focus on team success. While Heisman talk swirls, he remains grounded in the belief that winning matters most.
“If we take care of business as a team, everything else will fall into place,” he said recently. “Also, just from my personal growth as a player and having those experiences under my belt, I’ve seen a lot. We saw a lot of different defenses last year, a lot of different things.
“People had to try a lot of different things to stop us. Being able to see all those things – all those different pressures, all the different coverages – is something that’s going to help me a lot.”
Garrett Nussmeier may not be Joe Burrow or Jayden Daniels-but he doesn’t have to be. With the tools, mindset, and opportunity in front of him, he’s poised to lead LSU into a new era on his own terms.
This news was originally published on this post .
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