With [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] opting out of the ReliaQuest Bowl against Wisconsin to focus on the NFL draft, the reins have now been handed over to redshirt sophomore [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag].
Nussmeier has seen quite a bit of action in his three years at LSU, but Monday’s New Year’s Day showdown will be his first start. He said that with his familiarity with the team and system, it doesn’t really feel new to him.
“It doesn’t really feel new to me,” Nussmeier said in a release. “I feel like I have great relationships with all my teammates, all my coaches. It doesn’t feel new getting reps with these guys. It’s great to get all the reps now and build chemistry with them, but I think we’ve done a great job as an offense of coming together and doing the right things.”
The son of an NFL assistant, Nussmeier has been a reliable backup for the Tigers, seeing action in 17 games while completing 98 of 174 passes for 1,325 yards, eight touchdowns and six interceptions.
He shined in extended action against Georgia and Purdue last season, and he also entered at the end against Alabama after an injury to Daniels.
For his part, Daniels also made the trip to Tampa to support his team.
“We made each other better every day,” Nussmeier said of Daniels. “That was the best part. I think that’s helped my career the most, having to compete against such a high level player every single day. We pushed each other. There were no off days. I think that’s what I took away the most.”
Nussmeier has a big opportunity in front of him in what could be an auction for next year’s starting job. The Tigers also added a transfer portal quarterback with SEC starting experience in former Vanderbilt signal-caller AJ Swann, who will arrive in the spring.
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