When Max Johnson decided to transfer from LSU following the 2021 regular season it brought another issue outside of losing one of their two scholarship quarterbacks. Following the Arkansas game in which Garrett Nussmeier played his fourth game of the season, Ed Orgeron announced he would sit for the rest of the year.
For a player to maintain their redshirt status and not count against eligibility, they are restricted to appearing in four games. With Johnson on the way out, Nussmeier remains as the only scholarship quarterback left. If he were to play in the Texas Bowl against Kansas State, he would forfeit his red shirt.
Interim head coach Brad Davis met with the media on Tuesday and stated they were working on a contingency plan. “We do have a contingency”, Davis said. “we are being very intentional about how we rep our team. We will be able to execute the offense.”
According to Koki Riley of The Daily Advertiser, the team has submitted a request for a waiver to allow Nussmeier to play against Kansas State.
LSU has submitted a waiver to the NCAA to request Nussmeier keep his redshirt status, a team spokesperson told The Daily Advertiser on Tuesday. It’s unclear whether such waivers have ever been granted by the NCAA.
There are two walk-on quarterbacks who could take the snaps if Nussmeier is either unable to get the waiver. He could burn the redshirt and play in the game but given that he decided to sit following Arkansas, it is unlikely he would do so now.
Matt O’Dowd and Tavion Faulk are the two quarterbacks who could play in the game. The timetable for the waiver has not been released for a decision from the NCAA.
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